Amul Boards to focus on exports

Gandhidham-based Amul Boards Pvt Ltd, a manufacturers of plywood in Gujarat, plans to tap the exports market. The company offers thermostatic and high-pressure decorative laminates under the Amulya Mica brand.

Amul Boards set up a 12 lakh sheet per annum plant for decorative laminates in Gandhidham in December, 2004.

"We are the first Indian laminate manufacturing company to export to the United States. Last month, we signed a Rs 50 lakh agreement with the US-based FMC Jet Ways. We hope our exports will be worth at least Rs 5 crore in the next year. The new product (Amulya Mica) will add Rs 25 crore to our turnover in the next year," Rakesh Agarwal, director, Amul Boards, said.

"We would be able to export 50 per cent of laminate products within two years," Agarwal said. However, he ruled out plans to export to the low-cost Middle East market. Amulya Mica is produced at the company's Gandhidham unit using 100 per cent imported plates and paper.

Lalaram Valaji, general manager, Amul Boards, said: "Technologically, our plant is the most advanced laminate manufacturing plant in the region. A well-qualified team of technical personnel looks after the quality of the product. We are already achieved international standards like NEMA-LD3 and BSEN-438-1. Our product also meets the ISI specification and certification of ISO: 9001 and ISO 14001."

The company provides seven years' guarantee on its products.

"By providing guarantee to our customers, we have an added point to compete with other brands," Agarwal said.

The company has appointed 40 distributors in Gujarat. It has also made arrangements with XPS Services to ensure delivery of the material within 72 hours to anywhere in thecountry.