BYD forays into material handling equipment business in India

BYD India, a subsidiary of the BYD Group, has now forayed into the material handling equipment business in India, making it only Indian company to provide MHE products with lithium-ion phosphate battery in the country.

BYD’s MHE products integrate parts from world known suppliers, such as KDS Motors, Zapi/Curtis controller and ZF drive axle. The product allows opportunity charging, customised configuration and zero emission and noise.

Ketsu Zhang, Executive Director of BYD India said, “We believe BYD’s lithium-ion phosphate technology will become the next market favour in recent future. The market is looking very promising and we aim to become India’s largest premium electric warehousing and logistics equipment supplier within 3 years.”

Ulhas Makeshwar (Right), Head of BYD India MHE business introducing BYD MHE products at India Warehousing & Logistics Show

Ulhas Makeshwar, Head of BYD India MHE business, said, “We are very positive on acquiring more market share in a short term. Along with our direct sales, we are actively exploring business partners across India. Our major focus is on 3PL (third party logistics), warehousing and logistics companies. The Indian warehousing and logistics sector is expected to attract nearly $10 billion investment over the next 4-5 Years, and the modernisation, technological advancement and process optimisation of the warehousing sector is undoubtedly the key driving force behind the growth of logistics sector.”

Unlike traditional lead-acid battery powered equipment, BYD’s MHE products have a maintenance-free ‘one battery for life-time operation’. This means that the battery can fulfill a life-long service reducing the cost of replacement or purchase.

BYD established its own MHE R&D and manufacturing facility at Shaoguan, Guangdong, China in 2009 with an investment of 515 million Chinese Yuan (Rs 520.15 crore) and an area over 700,000 Square meters. The facility has six assembly lines which produce electric forklifts, stackers, reach truck, battery operated pallet truck (BOPT) and tow trucks.