Broekman Group to set up Automotive terminal

Chennai, Feb 02: With Chennai becoming the automotive hub of Asia, the Dutch-based logistics company Broekman Group will set up an Automotive Terminal and Warehousing and physical distribution Centres as part of its expansion plans in India.

Talking to reporters here, Group CEO and Chairman of Executive Board Raymond Riemen and Board member Henk Beijboom said the quantum of investment in the terminal for handling cars, to come up near Sulurpet on the Tamil Nadu-Andhra border, was yet to be finalised.

''Everything is in the initial stages. But we are determined about it as several auto majors like Hyundai, Ford, BMW, Mitsubishi, and Nissan have set up their units in and around Chennai,'' they said.

''With so many number of companies, there is an increased logistic business and the Automotive Terminal will cater to the needs of logistics industry,'' they added.

Broekman Logistics India Private Limited Vice-President Rajiv Nathan, who was present, said warehousing distribution centres would come up in Bangalore near the new airport and at Chennai with a total space of 10,000 sq ft each.

Both these centres would become fully functional by 2009 and the company would set up another facility on the outskirts of Delhi and gradually expand to other cities.

''We are planning to have about 50,000 sq ft space over a period of time,'' he added.

He said the company plans to have 18 offices across the country from the present 12. ''The Kolkata branch will be opened next month and the Hyderabad branch in April. By 2009, we are looking at having 18 offices across India and ramp up the headcount from 120 to 200.

To a question, he said the company also plans to invest in real estate in Chennai and other parts of the country for office purposes.

He said India's share to company's global revenue was about two to three per cent and it was expected to improve to five to seven per cent in the next couple of years.

UNI