Mrinalini Industries, Chennai-based components maker for automobiles and kitchen appliances, has formed a technology tie-up with New Zealand-based SPL Ltd, engaged in manufacture of hygiene products, to make and sell hand dryers in the Indian market.

Both the companies also unveiled their product Elan EHD101 - the first locally-built hand dryer, priced at about ₹8,500 for the Tamil Nadu market.

“Our venture will complement the government’s initiatives in meeting sanitation and hygiene challenges with the mantra of dry hands are safe hands.

“Our Elan brand is the first indigenously made hand dryer, made out of SPL’s technology,” said Elansudar, Managing Director, Mrinalini Industries Ltd.

About ₹4 crore will be invested in establishing a dedicated production line at the existing Irrungattukottai factory complex of Mrinalini Industries near Chennai.

However, production started on Tuesday at a temporary space inside the factory complex.

Production capacity

Initial production capacity will be about 2,000 hand dryers a month and it will be scaled up to about 40,000 units.

“We are planning a range of hand dryers under the brand Elan and they will be introduced over phases,” said John Stares, Managing Director, SPL Ltd.

Prospective customers

Mrinalini plans to sell Elan hand dryers directly to the prospective customers that include hotels, hospitals, public places and schools, among others.

It plans to launch the product in New Delhi and Mumbai in the next few months.

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