US-based valve-maker Husco launches Pune unit

Aimed at providing hydraulic control equipment to India's growing automobile, engineering and agriculture sectors, US-based hydraulic controls manufacturer Husco today launched its manufacturing cum research and development (R&D) unit at Talgeaon near Pune.

Set up over 21 acres of land at an initial investment of Rs 40 crore, the company's facility has the capacity of manufacturing 120 hydraulic valves every day. Husco International CEO Agustin Ramirez launched the unit.

Husco's phase-I facility has started delivering hydraulic and electrohydraulic vavles. The company plans to complete the entire plant in another two phases by year 2012. "We are presently manufacturing valves meant for engineering and construction equipment as manufactured by JCB. This new plant is aimed to provide components only to the Indian market. We are manufacturing products specifically for the Indian market, which is completely different from our European clientele," said Ramirez. Hydraulic valves meant for automobile and agriculture sectors would be developed in subsequent phases, he added.

The company has clients like Mercedes Benz, Ford, Volvo, Stanadyne Automotive in the automobile sector and wants to provide equipment to Indian automobile giants. "We are planning to visit all Indian automobile manufacturers this month. Companies like Tata Motors, Force Motors and General Motors based in Pune would be our prime targets," Vikram Sharma, General Manager (Pune unit), Husco, said.