INA Schaeffler invests 40 mn euros, inaugurates new plant in Pune

Pune, Mar 16 (UNI) Just 15 months after laying the foundation stone, the new plant of INA Bearings India was inaugurated at Talegaon, near here, today by Schaeffler group Managing Director Maria Elisabeth Schaeffler and her son George Schaeffler.

''India is of great importance for us, we consider it as an economic area with future and potential. We want to contribute and participate in the development of the promising India market,'' said Ms Schaeffler.

Along with the large economical potential, qualified workers, competitive cost and good cooperation of government authorities were the determining factors that favoured the choice of Pune as the location.

The good experience with the first hired INA plant in Pune compelled the management's decision to invest in its own land and manufacturing facilities. ''We want to be a part of the city and the region,'' added Ms Schaeffler.

Set up with an investment of 40 million Euros, the fully air-conditioned plant has been built over an area of 18,000 sq mtrs and employs 350 employees. It is already producing precision products for automotive and industrial sectors.

The 1,00,000 sq mtr area in Talegaon near Pune will encompass manufacturing facilities and an administrative building. An engineering and test center is also being set up at the location so that solutions tailored to the needs of Indian customers can be done more quickly. The centre is expected to be fully operational by 2008.

Over 40 million pieces of various products will be produced here for the India market. The production range includes needle cages, drawn cup bearings, engine components such as Roller Finger follower, chain tensioner clutch release bearing, water pump bearings as well as welded cage production and development of an injection moulding operation.

Assuming there is a positive trend in business development, an increase of the workforce to 500 employees is planned in the next three years, said Mr Bishvarup Dhar, Managing Director, INA India.

The Group is also planning expansion of its Baroda unit and around 60 million euros will be invested in the Baroda Plant by 2010, Mr Dhar added.

As per each plant of the Schaeffler group worldwide, the new and modern INA production unit in Pune will also meet the highest global environmental, work safety and quality standards.

The brands of the corporate group includes INA (needle and ball bearings, linear systems, engine components), FAG (rolling bearings) as well as LUK (clutches, gear box elements, dual mass flywheels).

Currently the group employs about 1,800 employees in India, a release stated.

UNI