JCB to invest $94mn in India

Earthmoving and construction equipment company JCB said it will invest $94 million (Rs 650 crore) to set up a new manufacturing facility in Vadodara in Gujarat.

The new factory, the company′s sixth in the country, would manufacture parts for global production lines in order to cater to increased demand. It is expected to start production next year.

Lord Bamford, Chairman, JCB, said: "With major investment in manufacturing capacity in the UK and India, we are very well placed to grow our business in the future.”

This year the company celebrates 40 years of JCB India and its success over those four decades is due to continual investment, he added.

He added: "It′s fitting that we mark the 40th anniversary with an investment in a factory which will give us enormous manufacturing capacity.” JCB India already has five factories in Delhi, Pune and Jaipur. On completion, the Vadodara plant would be capable of processing 85,000 tonne of steel annually.

Vipin Sondhi, MD and CEO, JCB India, said: "This new factory will be manufacturing engineered components and sub-assemblies for JCB′s many factories around the globe. It will add to the capacity at our existing plants in India.

“Vadodara presents us with the advantage of being located close to the Surat port and also to our key suppliers.”