The Hindu Business Line : Singur on German auto component makers’ radar

Auto components manufacturers from the State of Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, are keen on setting up manufacturing facilities in West Bengal, and supply auto components and spares for the Tata Motors small car project that is being set up at Singur, 35 km from Kolkata.

This was stated here on Friday by Dr Hans-Dieter Roth, Commissioner for Industrial Locations, Baden-Wurttemberg International, an agency engaged in providing services for economic development and international co-operation.

Dr Roth was in Kolkata as part of a 17-member business delegation comprising representatives of nine small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from the State of Baden-Wurttemberg.

The delegation, which has also visited Chennai and Pune, held business meetings with companies here during its one-day visit to Kolkata.

Showing interest

Located in the South-West of Germany, Baden-Wurttemberg is a prime location for the European automotive industry, production and mechanical engineering, opto-electronics and medical technology.

Baden-Wurttemberg is home to large companies such as Daimler, Bosch, Porsche, SAP, Trumpf and Aesculap, among others.

Mr Roth told newspersons here that auto component manufacturers who were part of the delegation were keen to set up operations at Singur and serve as original equipment makers for the Tata small car project.

They were likely to firm up plans in this regard after returning to Germany.

Other companies, which were part of the delegation represented sectors such as engineering and tooling, plastics, metal processing and high-grade stainless steel, electricals and electronics, engineering, heating and precision cutting tools.

Stating that this was “the first contact with India” for most members of the delegation, Mr Roth said most of them were bullish on forging business relationships with their Indian counterparts.

In fact, each member of the visiting delegation on Friday met five-10 of his/her Indian counterparts to discuss the scope of developing business relations.

“The talks were promising and we hope to come back to India once or twice every year.

“We have also invited Indian SMEs to come to Baden-Wurttemberg and explore business opportunities there or even set up joint ventures with their German counterparts,” Dr Roth said.

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