Ennore Foundries new unit to begin production in 18 months

Chennai, Apr 28 (UNI) Commercial production by Ennore Foundries Ltd (EFL)'s state-of-the-art new foundry at a greenfield site would commence during the second quarter of 2007-08.

Talking to reporters here today, EFL Managing Director V Mahadevan said land had been acquired at SIPCOT complex at Sriperumbudur and the work was progressing satifactorily.

'We have acquired 40 acre land. We have asked for another 42 acre for future expansion. The orders for main machinery required are in place. This will be completed by the end of this year and commercial production will commence in the second quarter of next year.' The plant would have production capacity of 50,000 tonne a year.

Coming up with sanctioned investment of Rs 120 crore, the plant would have facilities to produce a range of products, from 25 kg to 250 kg of Grey Iron and Aluminium castings.

On plans for 2006-07, Mr Mahadevan said the existing two EFL lines would be optimised to produce 55,000 tonne of Grey Iron castings from the present 48,000 tonne per year, and 4,000 tonne of Aluminium castings from the present 3,000 tonne.

About Rs 25 to 30 crore would be invested in existing facilities, which was also to ramp up production of Ductron castings from 24,000 tonne to 36,000 tonne by the fourth quarter of 2006-07.

'Once the new plant is commissioned, total production capacity will be ramped up to about 150,000 tonne in the next two years.' A new pattern and tool making shop was on proposed, with machining facilities specfically for one-to-one customer needs.

The hand-moulding line for small volume and heavy castings would be ready for commercial production by the end of the third quarter.

UNI GV AA 1802