Outo Kumpu may open office in Punjab

Office cum service centre may come up in the Punjab SEZ

Sweden-based Outo Kumpu, one of the world's largest manufacturers of copper and brass thin strips, will soon open its office cum service centre in India, which may come up in the SEZ of Punjab.

This was stated by Roine Tielinen, sales manager (India, Pakistan and the UAE).

Tielinen was in the city on a business trip at G S Radiators Ltd.

Outo Kumpu produces 100,000 tonnes of copper and brass thin strips every year and exports it to 80 countries. In India, the company has more than 25 customers and it has been doing business in India since 1987.

The annual turnover of the company is 3 billion Swedish Kroner. The company has a copper mill in Sweden and a brass mill in Holland. Copper and Brass is supplied to automotive industry while copper is supplied to cable wires industry all over the world.

Speaking to Business Standard, Roine Tielinen said, "It has been close to 20 years since I have been coming to India. I have seen this country grow and reach the limits in the field of business. The country has grown to such an extent that now; our company is facing tough competition from the Indian companies as well. Quality standards of Indian have gone up and so has their approach towards international market. Even the political guidelines of India are very friendly for a businessman.''

"Most probably this operations office cum service center will come up in Punjab as our company is already on a lookout for some suitable place. After this office is set up, it will be easier for us to cater to our local customers.''

Comparing India and China, he says that though no one can compete with China where quantity is involved, but India is a world leader in quality.

"If a foreign company has to choose between India and China for doing business, I think that they would rather choose India. A major plus point of India is that it's a democracy and not like China. Secondly, in India, majority of people speak English, so there is no language constraint. This way, a foreign businessman can easily interact with his Indian counterpart. But in China, you have to arrange for an interpreter and very few people speak or understand English there. A business is all based on communication,'' he said.

Talking about the change in Indian economy every since Outo Kumpu started business here, he said that in the year 1987, import duty on our material was 149 percent which has now been decreased to 7.5 percent.

"Indian economy is showing positive signs and that is why foreign companies are attracted towards it.''