Wheels India to foray into motorcycle wheels manufacturing biz

Wheels India Ltd, a TVS Group company, plans to manufacture motorcycle wheels and has commenced talks with some firms in this regard, a top official has said.
"It is too marginal to call it is as a strategic (move). Yes, we have started examining that. We have started talking to some OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers)", Wheels India Managing Director Srivats Ram told reporters here.
Asked is the company is looking at manufacturing wheels for high-end motorcycles, he replied in the negative.
"Not really. This is more you know in the economy (segment). We do not typically talk about orders of customers. It is too early to tick it off, but it is one of the strategies."

Wheels India currently manufactures steel wheels for passenger cars, utility vehicles, trucks, buses, tractors and construction equipment.
The company has manufacturing units near Chennai, Pune and in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Uttarakhand.

Asked about the after market business launched under WILGO brand, Ram said it has made good progress and the company has achieved business of over Rs 50 crore.
"We hope it will reach Rs 100 crore (business) in next couple of years", he added.
On the air suspension segment, he said the company would begin manufacturing lift axles for OEMs this year.
"We had entered into a tie-up with Turkish firm EGE Endustri a couple of years ago. They are technology providers. We will start supplying lift axles in two-three months.

"The plant is a rented facility near Chennai. We believe that there is potential to do Rs 100 crore worth of business over a three year period", he said.