Vermeiren launches its first facility at Sri City

Belgium-headquartered Vermeiren Group  set up its first manufacturing unit in the country at Sri City on October 7 with an investment of Rs 40 crore to produce wheelchairs and hospital beds.

The factory, located around 120 km away from Chennai, is spread over an area of 75,000 square feet.

Construction began in April 2015 for the factory which would produce 14,000 units initially. The company plans to increase production to one lakh wheelchairs and 25,000 hospital beds by 2020.

The company currently employs about 75 people, of which 15 per cent comprise women. It expects the number of employees to go up to 300 by 2020.

"We are glad to announce the launch of our first manufacturing facility in India," Vermeiren Group NV Managing Director and CEO, Patrick Vermeiren, said.

He added that the commencement of the facility will further strengthen Vermeiren's position in the medical devices and rehabilitation care market.