Braithwaite and Company Ltd (BCL) plans to foray into the manufacturing of low tare weight wagons, which are basically wagons made out of aluminium. The company was scouting for a suitable technology partner for the same, according to Mr P.K. Mukhopadhyay, Director of Production, BCL.

The company hopes to enter into a tie-up or joint venture arrangement with a suitable technology partner by the end of this calendar year. “We are in talks with a few companies primarily in the US for entering into a technological tie up for manufacturing of low tare wagons,” Mr Mukhopadhyay told Business Line .

Aluminium or low tare wagons have the advantage of carrying higher loads than the present stainless steel wagons. They are also comparatively less corrosive and therefore find preference over stainless steel wagons in other countries. “Though there is a latent demand for such wagons in Indian Railways as well, however, finding the right technology is the most important thing,” he pointed out.

Titagarh Wagons had in 2008 entered into a joint venture with the American company FreightCar, for developing high-axle load and low tare weight wagons based on the latter's designs.

After deciding on the technology partner, BCL would start manufacturing the wagons within the next one year. “We have three manufacturing units (two in Kolkata and one in Bhadreswar, Hugli). We will add capacity to our existing plant but manufacturing might take another year,” he said.

With a thrust on export of wagons and with special emphasis on improving the productivity, BCL aims to achieve over 80 per cent growth in turnover this year.

The company plans to clock sales amounting to Rs 307 crore in 2011-12, against Rs 170 crore in 2010-11, according to a company statement.

The company – which produces 1,059 units of wagons at present – aims to manufacture around 3,000 wagons by 2016-17.

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