The Hindu Business Line : Kalyani group to expand overseas

THE $1.5-billion Kalyani group, a global manufacturer of auto components is close to becoming the world's largest one forgings company, with the ongoing capacity expansion at its Pune facilities set to be complete by the end of the current fiscal.

The company is also likely to find a solution to its business plans for China before the end of the year, Mr B.N. Kalyani, Group Chairman, said here on Friday.

Mr Kalyani speaking to presspersons at the unveiling of the group's new corporate identity said, the group will set up greenfield manufacturing facilities next year at some unspecified locations outside India as part of the expansion plan of some of its existing companies. "We are also examining opportunities to expand in East Europe driven by the fact that a large number of OEMS have gone there," Mr Kalyani said.

The group, which currently has operations in eight countries, will now focus on consolidating and streamlining its existing operations in India, according to Mr Kalyani who said capacities at the Pune plant will double from 1,60,000 tonnes to 2,40,000 tonnes, taking its total global capacity to the five lakh tonne level. Mr Kalyani said the group was currently engaged in sending technology and people across its multiple operations around the world.

Mr Kalyani attributed the group's global growth largely to its investments in technology, which has driven innovation within group companies. Meanwhile, the group, which is a key supplier to 37 original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), is examining the various possibilities available to it for setting up operations in the China market driven by demand from the OEMs. The group's new corporate identity depicts the globe straddled by a K surrounded by blue and is intended to convey its focus on technology and innovation. The Kalyani group is a major player in the auto business with a market share of 35-40 per cent in the global market place.

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