The Hindu Business Line : US pumps maker to set up plant in Chennai

Wilden, a US-based manufacturer of pumps for industrial applications, plans to establish assembling and sourcing operations here over the next one-year.

Mr John D. Allen, President, Wilden, told Business Line after the company's office was inaugurated here today that Wilden, which has been in the market here for more than a decade, will double its business over the next one year. Wilden's sales in the India now were about $7,50,000 and wants to reach $5 million in 2009.

Investment

The company will initially invest over $1,00,000 in the facility to source raw materials, components and start assembling its products. This will happen over the next one year to 18 months, he said.

After Shanghai, where it has a production facility, India, particularly Chennai, is a natural extension, he said. Wilden's pumps are used in a wide range of industries, including automotive, paints, inks, dyes, glues, glass and ceramic.

Why Chennai

"Everything that flows is made here," so Wilden pumps will surround itself with industries - automobile and engineering, he said, explaining the rationale for selecting Chennai as a base for its operations.

Also, Wilden, which is part of the $6-billion Dover group, is looking at India and Shanghai as a major source of raw materials and components, apart from being a growing market. Chennai is well connected with Shanghai and the US, its home. The workforce here is also `more conservative and loyal,' not as given to `job-hopping' as those elsewhere, Mr Allen said.

Mr Martino Valela, Vice-President, Sales & Marketing, Wilden, said the company would be sourcing for its global operations from here. Shanghai and India will be the source for at least 50 per cent of its requirements in five years against about 20 per cent now.

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