M&M to set up tractor unit in AP

Forging ahead with its ambitious growth plans automobile major Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) has started work on setting up a tractor manufacturing plant at Zaheerabad in Andhra Pradesh. The company already has an automobile manufacturing plant at the same location. The ground breaking ceremony of the plant was conducted on Thursday in the presence of state ministers and company officials.

M&M will invest over Rs 300 crore to set up this plant, its first in south India, to cater to large demand from the region. This plant will have an initial manufacturing capacity of one lakh tractors per annum, which can be scaled up to meet future demand. This ultra modern plant, which is coming up on 100 acres land, is scheduled for commercial operation in 2012, the company said. The plant will be equipped with assembly lines for tractors, engines, gear boxes, hydraulic and a sheet metal paints shop.

"We are delighted to enhance our national footprint to Andhra Pradesh where Mahindra tractor is a market leader. With this advanced technological process, large scale manufacturing set-up and eco-friendly focus, this plant is all set to create a new benchmark in manufacturing excellence in the tractor industry," said Pawan Goenka, president (automotive & farm equipment sectors), M&M.

"The plant will manufacture tractor models in the range of 30 HP to 90 HP both for the domestic and export markets with all models conforming to emission norms prevalent in India, Europe and the US," said Bishwambhar Mishra, chief executive (tractor and farm equipment), M&M.

Courtesy: Mail Today