Gujarat to set up new foundry centres

To cater to the rising needs of the foundry industry in the state, a training centre will be set up in GIDC Odhav area by the end of this year. The cost of the foundry centre is estimated to be around Rs 2 crore.

P N Bhagwati, president of World Foundry Men Organisation (WFMO), speaking to Business Standard, said, "Gujarat has not grown to its full capacity as far as the foundry industry is concerned. The turnover has been sufficient, but we lack in quality and efficient manpower. This centre will serve the need of SME foundries in the state."

The state government has sanctioned a grant of Rs 1 crore for the centre and has also allotted 900 sq m of land. An MoU has been signed with the German Foundry Association to provide project information and training courses.

Bhagwati, in a bid to promote the foundry industry in Gujarat, initiated the formation of Advance Diploma Course in Foundry Technology at Nirma University, Ahmedabad.

Indian foundry industry generates 4.5 million tonne of casting of which, Gujarat contributes only 2.75 lakh tonne, Bhagwati said. In the past, Rajkot foundry industry mainly contributed to diesel engines and hence, the quality was low. "Things are going to change as, Rajkot will turn out to be a major hub for the automobile industry," he said. "I am also preparing a vision plan for the next 10-15 years, which will be submitted to the state industries department in few months," he said.

Talking about WFMO, Bhagwati said that he is working towards placing India and Indian foundry industry on the world map.

"A lot of importance has been given to Europe and north America in SAARC as, they have better technical know-how. I want to form a SAARC plus ASIAN block in the WFO, led by India, and use the facilities provided by WFO to upgrade the foundry technology in Asian countries."

WFMO represents collective needs and briefs of 33 foundry associations of member countries on a global scale. One of the main functions of WFO is to unite the industry and disseminate appropriate information in a standardised and systemised manner through World Foundry Congress, he said.

In a recently held conference at Ranchi, for the first time in India, WFO acted as an official partner and has enhanced the reputation of Indian Foundry Association, he said. Bhagwati will be presiding over the 57th World Foundry Congress to be held in UK in June 2006 and will be the first Indian to do so.

Bhagwati Group of Foundries, with an annual turnover of Rs 100 crore, manufactures about 24,000 tonne of highly specialised casting per year for automobile, tractor, hydraulic, compressor and other industries.