JAMNA AUTO INDUSTRIES is to set up two new units for parabolic springs and air-suspension springs for commercial vehicles at Hosur and Chennai at a cost of Rs 80 crore. The Hosur plant, which will have an annual capacity of 36,000 tonnes, will manufacture parabolic springs and is expected to go on stream in December 2011. This capacity expansion for parabolic springs is to meet demand from major CV makers like Daimler India, Renault-Nissan, Leyland-Nissan and Ashok Leyland. At present, the company’s Malanpur plant supplies Tata Motors’ requirement of parabolic springs. The planned greenfield plant at Chennai will manufacture air suspension, bogey suspension and lift axles. The air suspensions will be made in technical collaboration with Ridewell Corporation of the US.

Jamna Auto has acquired land near Chennai and prototypes developed are undergoing trials. Air suspensions are being increasingly used in low-floor buses. Commercial production is expected to commence from July 2011 onwards.

According to Randeep Jauhar, CEO, Jamna Auto, “India has firmly established its position among the fastest growing and cost-efficient automobile markets in the world, leading to large global automakers setting up their production units here. Southern India has been a key region for these automakers. As a strategic initiative, we have decided to expand our manufacturing presence in this region. It will not only enable us to gain proximity to our customers but would also enable us to provide cost efficient quality products. With the Indian CV majors now gradually shifting over to parabolic springs, we at Jamna Auto have decided to increase parabolic capacity.