LMT India inaugurates all-new Chakan plant

Pune, September 6, 2013: LMT India, a 100 percent subsidiary of the Germany-based LMT Group (Leading Metalworking Technologies Group), inaugurated its plant in Chakan, near Pune, earlier today. The company has spent Rs 40 crore in setting up this facility which is spread over 30,000 square feet. The plant will manufacture various tools which are used in gear cutting, drilling, threading, clamping, milling and turning requirements in two- and four-wheelers. According to S Venkatasubramanian, managing director, LMT India, the manufacturing operations at this plant will run in three shifts besides a general shift meant for the administration and management officials.

LMT’s 65 percent of the Indian business comes from two-wheelers while the remaining 35 percent comes from the passenger carmakers. Talking to Autocar Professional, Venkatasubramanian disclosed that “besides ramping up our current operations, we are looking at adding another product line based on rotating tools besides our existing portfolio. With recent developments, I see the market to swing back into the growth trajectory. We expect to grow by over 20 percent this year. Nearly 60 percent of our products are exported to Europe and China.”

Headquartered in Chennai, the Chakan plant becomes the second manufacturing facility of LMT India, with the first plant located in Goa. “We are present in India for over 12 years. India has always been a key target place as the market is filled with great talent and skilled workforce. A major reason behind opening our global manufacturing facility in Pune is to establish a closer network with our customers and achieve quick turnaround times on product side. Our design centre at this plant (Chakan) will work in tandem with our global design centers,” added Venkatasubramanian.

The company supplies components to two wheeler majors such as Bajaj Auto, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI), TVS Motor India and many others.

AMIT PANDAY

Photograph: S Venkatasubramanian, managing director, LMT India