March 6, 2013: Rane (Madras), part of the Rane Group of companies will expand its facilities at its six-year-old plant in Varanavasi near Chennai.

The predominantly export-oriented unit will add a 42,000 square feet area based on a new order from Cosma International, a Tier 1 supplier to Ford Motor Company globally. The expansion involves an investment of about Rs 25 crore. With machines being slowly moved into the unit, the facility is expected to go full steam in a few months.

The plant produces outer ball joints and suspension ball joints for the export market, catering to passenger cars, light commercial vehicles and MUVs. The plant also manufactures tie rod, drag link and centre link assemblies for the domestic market. The plant effectively produces 23 variants in seven different assembly lines, with more coming up in the new facility next door.

KARTHIK H