Alfa Laval undertakes modernisation efforts

Pune, Nov 2: The Alfa Laval group has sanctioned Rs 50 crore for the expansion and modernisation of its India manufacturing facilities in the current fiscal.

Alfa Laval group president and chief executive officer Lars Renstrom visited the Pune facility from October 29 to November 1.

Speaking to reporters at the end of his visit, Mr Renstrom said that under the modernisation plans, the entire range of plate heat exchangers has been modernised by adding new and energy-efficient range, while the manufacture of Shell and Tube heat exchangers for the refrigeration industry will start shortly.

Mr Renstrom informed that Alfa Laval India recently secured a repeat multi-million rupee order for a black liquor evaporation plant from West Coast Paper Mills. The contract includes Alfa Laval's tailor-made AlfaCond condenser which plays a vital role in the system and ensures that 95 per cent of the condensed water can be recycled, Mr Renstrom disclosed.

''We have been present in India since 1937 and the rapidly increasing standard of living, has opened up many opportunities for Alfa Laval to enter the energy, environment and the food industry,'' Mr Renstrom said.

To a query, Mr Renstrom said Alfa-Laval has been playing a significant role in controlling global warming through energy conservation and waste water treatment engeering.

Meanwhile, the sales revenue of the Company's two segments -- Equipment Division and Process Technology Division -- has been encouraging.

The orders on hand as at the end of the third quarter were Rs 441.6 crore, higher by about 23 per cent over the same period last fiscal. The Board of Directors of the Company has declared an interim dividend of 100 per cent (Rs 10 per share) on the equity shares for the year ending October 31, 2007.

UNI