Hydeabad: Japanese power equipment companies and lenders are keen to work with Indian companies in all spheres of the power sector, according to a senior official from the Japanese Ministry of Economy.
Mr. Tsuneyuki "Hiro" Ito, Deputy Director in Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Japan, said that there is considerable technological and engineering capability that the Japanese companies such as Toshiba, Hitachi and Mitsubishi can offer to Indian companies in the power sector.
Mr. Ito, who was in Hyderabad to speak at the power plant summit, told Business Line that lenders such as Japan International Cooperation Agency and several Japanese banks are keen to take part in some of the power projects being taken up and under implementation directly or through companies.
Already some of the Japanese companies have partnered with Indian companies such as construction major L&T and JSW for power plant equipment and they have managed to bag local orders in the areas of supercritical technology products.
"This engagement will only get stronger as some of the Japanese companies are keen to work in the entire chain of power right from equipment supplies, maintenance, and also refurbishing old plants an upgrading them," he said.
Refraining to comment on quantum of investments or the orders some of these companies are currently working on, he said that the engagement is getting stronger and given the market potential this could help engage more such Japanese companies.
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FMCG companies raise ad spends in Q1
Chennai: Going by the reported numbers of three companies—Dabur, Colgate and Hindustan UniLever—it is clear that FMCG companies are increasing their ad spends.
The combined ad spend of these three companies has increased by 33.6 per cent.
These companies have been introducing new products into the market and obviously have felt a need to support them with ads and promos.
For instance, Hindustan Unilever has launched products like Axe soap bar, Fair and Lovely advanced multi vitamin, Pepsodent mouthwashes, Vaseline moisture therapy heel cream and Pureit Advanced.
Colgate has brought in a battery toothbrush and a new toothbrush called Max Fresh. Dabur has a huge range of products in healthcare and home care—from toothpastes to fruit juices and nutrition supplements.
Analysts say that most of the ads have gone to the electronic media. “FMCG contributes more than half to TV advertising but only 9% to print advertising. This is the reason why even though the FMCG companies are increasing their ad spends, the print players are faring badly in terms of ad revenue growth,” says Edelweiss Research in a report on ZEE TV’s performance.
The combined ad spend of these three companies has increased by 33.6 per cent.
These companies have been introducing new products into the market and obviously have felt a need to support them with ads and promos.
For instance, Hindustan Unilever has launched products like Axe soap bar, Fair and Lovely advanced multi vitamin, Pepsodent mouthwashes, Vaseline moisture therapy heel cream and Pureit Advanced.
Colgate has brought in a battery toothbrush and a new toothbrush called Max Fresh. Dabur has a huge range of products in healthcare and home care—from toothpastes to fruit juices and nutrition supplements.
Analysts say that most of the ads have gone to the electronic media. “FMCG contributes more than half to TV advertising but only 9% to print advertising. This is the reason why even though the FMCG companies are increasing their ad spends, the print players are faring badly in terms of ad revenue growth,” says Edelweiss Research in a report on ZEE TV’s performance.
FMCG companies raise ad spends in Q1
Chennai: Going by the reported numbers of three companies—Dabur, Colgate and Hindustan UniLever—it is clear that FMCG companies are increasing their ad spends.
The combined ad spend of these three companies has increased by 33.6 per cent.
These companies have been introducing new products into the market and obviously have felt a need to support them with ads and promos.
For instance, Hindustan Unilever has launched products like Axe soap bar, Fair and Lovely advanced multi vitamin, Pepsodent mouthwashes, Vaseline moisture therapy heel cream and Pureit Advanced.
Colgate has brought in a battery toothbrush and a new toothbrush called Max Fresh. Dabur has a huge range of products in healthcare and home care—from toothpastes to fruit juices and nutrition supplements.
Analysts say that most of the ads have gone to the electronic media. “FMCG contributes more than half to TV advertising but only 9% to print advertising. This is the reason why even though the FMCG companies are increasing their ad spends, the print players are faring badly in terms of ad revenue growth,” says Edelweiss Research in a report on ZEE TV’s performance.
The combined ad spend of these three companies has increased by 33.6 per cent.
These companies have been introducing new products into the market and obviously have felt a need to support them with ads and promos.
For instance, Hindustan Unilever has launched products like Axe soap bar, Fair and Lovely advanced multi vitamin, Pepsodent mouthwashes, Vaseline moisture therapy heel cream and Pureit Advanced.
Colgate has brought in a battery toothbrush and a new toothbrush called Max Fresh. Dabur has a huge range of products in healthcare and home care—from toothpastes to fruit juices and nutrition supplements.
Analysts say that most of the ads have gone to the electronic media. “FMCG contributes more than half to TV advertising but only 9% to print advertising. This is the reason why even though the FMCG companies are increasing their ad spends, the print players are faring badly in terms of ad revenue growth,” says Edelweiss Research in a report on ZEE TV’s performance.
BHEL commissions 5 Mw solar power plant
Chennai/ Bangalore: Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) has commissioned a 5-Mw grid-connected solar power plant at Shivasamudram near Mandya. This is the single largest solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant in Karnataka.
The plant has been set up by BHEL for the state-owned power producer, Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL), at a cost of Rs 62 crore.
With the commissioning of this unit, the company has set a new record in its solar PV business in a single year, by commissioning 15 Mw of solar power plants in various parts of the country during fiscal 2011-12, marking a significant contribution to the nation’s green initiatives.
For the Shivasamudram project, BHEL’s scope of work included design, manufacture, supply, erection and commissioning of the solar power plant. In addition, BHEL will also operate and maintain the solar power plant for a period of three years.
The solar power plant is operating satisfactorily since synchronising with the main grid and DC power generated by the solar panels is converted into AC by inverters and fed into a 66 kV grid through transformers. Crystalline silicon photovoltaic (C-SI PV) technology has been used for the solar power plant, which is well-proven and has the longest operational experience across the world.
The power plant consists of arrays of photovoltaic panels made of crystalline silicon solar cells that absorb sunlight and convert it into electricity that will be fed into the main grid.
Backed by a vast experience and expertise of nearly three decades in Power Electronics & System integration, BHEL is a leading player in the field of solar photovoltaics, from Solar Cells to System Integration of SPV power plants in India.
The SPV modules are manufactured at its ultra-modern manufacturing facility located at Bangalore. An R&D unit, located in Gurgaon, supports the operations in semi-conductors and solar photovoltaics.
In line with the rapid growth in this field, BHEL is planning to augment its manufacturing facility for Solar PV Modules during the current fiscal. The company’s PV modules are certified to international standards by accredited agencies.
Starting from small applications like solar powered street lighting, rural water pumping systems, railway signaling, offshore drilling platforms, among others, BHEL has supplied and commissioned large size stand-alone as well as grid-interactive solar power plants in a number of cities and remote areas of the country.
The company’s SPV plants have enabled the people of Lakshadweep, Sagar Islands of West Bengal, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, tribal areas of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand among others to vastly improve their quality of life.
The plant has been set up by BHEL for the state-owned power producer, Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL), at a cost of Rs 62 crore.
With the commissioning of this unit, the company has set a new record in its solar PV business in a single year, by commissioning 15 Mw of solar power plants in various parts of the country during fiscal 2011-12, marking a significant contribution to the nation’s green initiatives.
For the Shivasamudram project, BHEL’s scope of work included design, manufacture, supply, erection and commissioning of the solar power plant. In addition, BHEL will also operate and maintain the solar power plant for a period of three years.
The solar power plant is operating satisfactorily since synchronising with the main grid and DC power generated by the solar panels is converted into AC by inverters and fed into a 66 kV grid through transformers. Crystalline silicon photovoltaic (C-SI PV) technology has been used for the solar power plant, which is well-proven and has the longest operational experience across the world.
The power plant consists of arrays of photovoltaic panels made of crystalline silicon solar cells that absorb sunlight and convert it into electricity that will be fed into the main grid.
Backed by a vast experience and expertise of nearly three decades in Power Electronics & System integration, BHEL is a leading player in the field of solar photovoltaics, from Solar Cells to System Integration of SPV power plants in India.
The SPV modules are manufactured at its ultra-modern manufacturing facility located at Bangalore. An R&D unit, located in Gurgaon, supports the operations in semi-conductors and solar photovoltaics.
In line with the rapid growth in this field, BHEL is planning to augment its manufacturing facility for Solar PV Modules during the current fiscal. The company’s PV modules are certified to international standards by accredited agencies.
Starting from small applications like solar powered street lighting, rural water pumping systems, railway signaling, offshore drilling platforms, among others, BHEL has supplied and commissioned large size stand-alone as well as grid-interactive solar power plants in a number of cities and remote areas of the country.
The company’s SPV plants have enabled the people of Lakshadweep, Sagar Islands of West Bengal, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, tribal areas of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand among others to vastly improve their quality of life.
Teva, P&G form JV to set up manufacturing facility in Gujarat
New Delhi: The US-based Procter & Gamble (P&G) and Israel's Teva Pharmaceutical Industries plan to enter India through a joint venture (JV) by setting up their first manufacturing facility at Sanand, Gujarat, with an initial investment of Rs 250 crore (US$ 44.67 million).
The manufacturing facility is planned on 15 acres and is proposed to have two separate lines, one for manufacturing Ayurvedic drugs and another for allopathic medicines. High-tech equipment and adhering to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) norms to make products both for Indian and overseas market will be used.
"TPI and P&G joint venture P&G Teva would set up over-the-counter (OTC) drug manufacturing facility at Sanand with an initial investment of US$ 44.67 million," according to H G Kohsia, Commissioner, Food and Drug Control Administration (FDCA), Gujarat.
"The total proposed investment in Gujarat by the venture is around Rs 500 crore (US$ 89.37 million). It would initially hire 500 people, which could go up to 1,000," Kohsia added. In addition, the proposed facility at Sanand would have high-tech equipment and will adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) norms to make products both for Indian and overseas market, Mr Koshia said.
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) will be signed with the State Government during the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit-2013 scheduled in January 2013. NYSE-listed Teva is the top generic pharma company with presence in 60 countries.
The manufacturing facility is planned on 15 acres and is proposed to have two separate lines, one for manufacturing Ayurvedic drugs and another for allopathic medicines. High-tech equipment and adhering to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) norms to make products both for Indian and overseas market will be used.
"TPI and P&G joint venture P&G Teva would set up over-the-counter (OTC) drug manufacturing facility at Sanand with an initial investment of US$ 44.67 million," according to H G Kohsia, Commissioner, Food and Drug Control Administration (FDCA), Gujarat.
"The total proposed investment in Gujarat by the venture is around Rs 500 crore (US$ 89.37 million). It would initially hire 500 people, which could go up to 1,000," Kohsia added. In addition, the proposed facility at Sanand would have high-tech equipment and will adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) norms to make products both for Indian and overseas market, Mr Koshia said.
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) will be signed with the State Government during the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit-2013 scheduled in January 2013. NYSE-listed Teva is the top generic pharma company with presence in 60 countries.
Hero MotoCorp to invest Rs 160 crore in the Global Parts Centre in Rajasthan
To be set up with an investment of Rs 160 crore, the Global Part Centre will be spread across 35 acres, said Pawan Munjal, MD & CEO, Hero MotoCorp at the company's Global Supply Chain Partners Conference 2012 in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Over 125 top component supplier of Hero MotoCorp from India, China, Thailand, Japan and Europe participated in the three day global conference held in Russia.
The Global Parts Centre is expected to be operational by Q3 of FY-14 and will initially employ 400 personnel. The state-of-the-art GPC will have automated storage and retrieval system, automated packaging and sorting system, on-line tracking of parts through Warehouse Management System (WMS), lean manufacturing systems and most importantly, the Green Building Concept, said the company in a statement.
"The highly-mechanised, technologically-superior GPC will be a new industry benchmark once it becomes fully-operational," Munjal said.
The company also informed its supply chain partners that it will set up the fifth plant at Halol in the western India state of Gujarat, in addition to the fourth plant at Neemrana in Rajasthan.
The proposed Global Parts Centre comes close on the heels of HMCL recently announcing an investment of over Rs 2500 crore in setting up two new plants, expanding capacity at existing plants and in building an integrated R&D centre (at Kukas in Rajasthan). With this expansion, total installed capacity of the company would be touching more than nine million units in two years' time - which is in line with the stated objective of reaching 10 million units in the next five years.
The proposed new state-of-the-art integrated R&D centre at Kukas will be set-up over an area of 250-acre and the centre will be the largest two-wheeler R&D set-up in the country, and will employ over 500 engineers.
India Inc keen on Special Economic Zone space in Bangladesh
Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) president Adi Godrej led a delegation of 15 CEOs to Dhaka this week, where meetings were held with Bangladesh's ministers for industry, finance and foreign affairs as well as its central bank governor and industry chambers.
"We have suggested that Bangladesh set up an SEZ for Indian firms that see a big scope for investments in the country across sectors such as oil and gas, infrastructure, consumer and agricultural goods. This could help tap the true potential of bilateral trade and investment flows," Godjrej told ET.
While Bangladesh has responded positively to the idea, most officials and industry leaders that met the Indian delegation expressed unhappiness at India's inability to seal the proposed bilateral Teesta river water-sharing treaty. Godrej assured Dhaka that the industry body would take up the issue with the Indian government.
To help deal with operational issues that arise in Indo-Bangladesh trade and investments, the CII has decided to open a permanent office in Dhaka and put in place an India-Bangladesh CEOs' forum. Similar industry interaction frameworks have been put in place by India with CEOs from the United States, United Kingdom and Africa.
India also raised problems faced by its companies on Bangladeshi soil with regards to remittance and repatriation of income.
"There are practical issues with the repatriation of income from Bangladesh and remitting salaries to Indian executives working there," Godrej said.
"The country's central bank has promised to look into resolving them positively," he said.Bangladesh expressed concerns about the trade imbalance it faces with India and said that non-tariff barriers imposed by India were restricting its opportunities for exports.
"India has already allowed zero-duty imports for Bangladesh's products. We will request the government to review some of the non-tariff barriers cited by Dhaka," Godrej said.
Eicher Motors signs strategic joint venture with Polaris Industries
Mumbai: Eicher Motors has signed a strategic joint venture agreement with US based powersports major, Polaris Industries, to set up a greenfield project in the automotive sector.
The definitive agreement, signed between Siddhartha Lal, MD & CEO, Eicher Motors and Scott W Wine, CEO, Polaris Industries envisages the creation of a 50:50 joint venture company.
The joint venture company will design, develop, manufacture and sell a full new range of personal vehicles suitable for India and other emerging markets. The manufacturing facility will be located in India and the joint venture partners are currently evaluating locations to set up the facility, with production expected to start in 2015.
Under the collaboration, the joint venture company will be governed by a board with equal representation from both the companies. The overall investment in the joint venture company over a three year period will be approximately Rs 250 crores.
"The joint venture company brings together Eicher's expertise in frugal engineering, lean business model and in-depth understanding of emerging markets with product development capabilities," said Siddhartha Lal, Managing Director & CEO, Eicher Motors.
Currently, we are present in the commercial vehicle and motorcycle categories. The collaboration with Polaris Industries Inc will allow us to enter into a new vehicle segment, Lal said.
"This agreement reinforces Polaris' position as a global leader, instantly expanding our presence in India and our access to additional emerging markets around the globe." said Scott W Wine, CEO, Polaris Industries.
The definitive agreement, signed between Siddhartha Lal, MD & CEO, Eicher Motors and Scott W Wine, CEO, Polaris Industries envisages the creation of a 50:50 joint venture company.
The joint venture company will design, develop, manufacture and sell a full new range of personal vehicles suitable for India and other emerging markets. The manufacturing facility will be located in India and the joint venture partners are currently evaluating locations to set up the facility, with production expected to start in 2015.
Under the collaboration, the joint venture company will be governed by a board with equal representation from both the companies. The overall investment in the joint venture company over a three year period will be approximately Rs 250 crores.
"The joint venture company brings together Eicher's expertise in frugal engineering, lean business model and in-depth understanding of emerging markets with product development capabilities," said Siddhartha Lal, Managing Director & CEO, Eicher Motors.
Currently, we are present in the commercial vehicle and motorcycle categories. The collaboration with Polaris Industries Inc will allow us to enter into a new vehicle segment, Lal said.
"This agreement reinforces Polaris' position as a global leader, instantly expanding our presence in India and our access to additional emerging markets around the globe." said Scott W Wine, CEO, Polaris Industries.
ONGC, Australian varsity ink pact to tap unconventional oil resources
Hyderabad: ONGC and an Australian University have set their eyes on tapping oil resources in some tough and challenging locales in India.
These are called basement reservoirs. The research initiative will evaluate the potential of these unconventional oil resources.
The School of Petroleum Engineering at the UNSW (University of New South Wales) and the ONGC have forged a research agreement.
The project will assess the feasibility of recovering hydrocarbon fuel from these hard to access, offshore geological structures called basement reservoirs. ONGC is keen on its Mumbai offshore basin, a report from the University said.
The $2.05-million project would be executed over the next two-and-a-half years. This is the fourth major project between UNSW and ONGC since first signing a memorandum of understanding in 2002.
“These are very hard rocks that contain fractures, which in turn, contain oil that is very difficult to extract,” explains Professor Val Pinczewski, Head of the School of Petroleum Engineering. “This is an important partnership for UNSW that has grown with time,” says Mr Pinczewski.
After developing suitable mathematical models, experiments with rock samples provided by ONGC will be conducted on field to test how much oil is recoverable.
These are called basement reservoirs. The research initiative will evaluate the potential of these unconventional oil resources.
The School of Petroleum Engineering at the UNSW (University of New South Wales) and the ONGC have forged a research agreement.
The project will assess the feasibility of recovering hydrocarbon fuel from these hard to access, offshore geological structures called basement reservoirs. ONGC is keen on its Mumbai offshore basin, a report from the University said.
The $2.05-million project would be executed over the next two-and-a-half years. This is the fourth major project between UNSW and ONGC since first signing a memorandum of understanding in 2002.
“These are very hard rocks that contain fractures, which in turn, contain oil that is very difficult to extract,” explains Professor Val Pinczewski, Head of the School of Petroleum Engineering. “This is an important partnership for UNSW that has grown with time,” says Mr Pinczewski.
After developing suitable mathematical models, experiments with rock samples provided by ONGC will be conducted on field to test how much oil is recoverable.
United Group opens design institute in Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad: Filling the gap in the design talent pool for industrial and non-industrial sector, Kolkata-headquartered United Group on Tuesday opened United Institute of Design in Ahmedabad.
Affiliated to the Gulbarga University, the institute will contribute in shaping the skills of talented designers in various design disciplines. The new campus located in Karnavati Knowledge Village, on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, has commenced from Tuesday.
United Institute of Design will offer four-year full-time degree programme in five disciplines of design namely fashion design, lifestyle and accessories design, product design, interior design, fine arts (visual communications & graphic design) and post graduation in fashion retail management area.
The institute will be mentored by alumni of National Institute of Design (NID), Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology (CEPT) University and Faculty of Fine Arts, M.S.University Vadodara. United Group MD Ritesh Hada said the institute would attempt to bridge the gap in the availability of design talent due to handful design institutes and the need from the industry.
Affiliated to the Gulbarga University, the institute will contribute in shaping the skills of talented designers in various design disciplines. The new campus located in Karnavati Knowledge Village, on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, has commenced from Tuesday.
United Institute of Design will offer four-year full-time degree programme in five disciplines of design namely fashion design, lifestyle and accessories design, product design, interior design, fine arts (visual communications & graphic design) and post graduation in fashion retail management area.
The institute will be mentored by alumni of National Institute of Design (NID), Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology (CEPT) University and Faculty of Fine Arts, M.S.University Vadodara. United Group MD Ritesh Hada said the institute would attempt to bridge the gap in the availability of design talent due to handful design institutes and the need from the industry.
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