JCB plans $30mn mfg unit near Pune

Construction equipment major JCB Bamford Excavators (JCB) is planning to manufacture tracked excavators, wheeled loaders and compaction equipment in India. The $30 million greenfield plant at Talegaon near Pune is likely to be ready by the end of the  year.

John Patterson, MD and CEO of JCB, said:  "We see a great opportunity in India's infrastructure sector as a number of roads, ports and airports are being planned." He added that the company also sees the SEZ boom as a trigger for a spurt in demand for equipment.

Patterson was speaking after the inauguration of a fully export-oriented components plant set up by JCB Manufacturing, a wholly-owned subsidiary of JCB, UK.The plant has been set up with an investment of 15 million pounds (Rs 130 crore) to make components for JCB's plants worldwide, especially Germany, US and China, he added.

Patterson said the company is in the process of creating a centre of excellence for engineering for the group's global needs in engineering, design and researech and development. "The engineering centre will be operational by the end of this year, and will, at its full capacity, employ 100 engineers," he said.