Singapore firm to set up laser making unit

IDI Laser Services Pte Ltd, part of the Singapore-based IDI Electronics Pte Ltd, plans to set up a plant in Bangalore to manufacture Laser machines at a cost of nearly Rs 18 crore.

Laser technology is used to cut anything from steel to human tissues in delicate surgery. In this case the emphasis will be on Laser machines needed by the garments sector to do precision cutting in large volumes.

Indian textile companies are beginning to increase their manufacturing capabilities in view of the end of the quota regime and company officials are excited about the prospects. Machines for the plastics industry will also be made.

The plant will be a joint venture with Bangalore-based Ina India Ltd and will be operational from September 2005. Details of the joint venture are being worked out.

According to Neeraj Chhabra, managing director, Ina India Ltd, "As a distributor of IDI's Laser machines, we expect a huge demand from the textile sector. We plan to sell 50 Laser machines of various sizes within the next 12 months. We are in talks with well-known textile manufacturers who have evinced interest in these machines."

Chhabra said that these machines, reduce wastage as well improve precision, will cost about 30-35 per cent less than European machines. "Currently, the few Indian textile companies who are using such laser machines are importing them from Europe, resulting in a higher maintenance cost," he said.

"Since inception in 2000, we have sold nearly 400 units across Asia. We are yet to enter the European and US markets. However, the setting up of a manufacturing facility in Bangalore will also result in reduction of work load in Singapore, besides cost-cutting," Chris Chan C K, business development manager, IDI Laser Services Pte Ltd, said.

Chan did not rule out the possibility of executing customised orders for such machines in the future, at Bangalore.

Laser marking is especially productive for mass production operations like engraving serial numbers, part numbers, company logo and name, and bar codes. IDI Laser Services Pte Ltd not only sells laser-marking machines, but also provides laser-marking services to industrial and gifts companies. These lasers can marked on almost all surfaces.

IDI is expected to register $9 million revenues in the current year, a growth of nearly 100 per cent over the previous year. The company, along with its partner Ina India, has appointed 15 engineers for service and sales in Bangalore. Chan added that the global market for industrial laser is about $250 billion.