Trelleborg inaugurates a new facility for advanced sealing solutions in Bangalore
Construction equipment sector eyed as a major market for products By P. P. Basistha
Swedish seal manufacturing major Trelleborg recently inaugurated its new plant in Bangalore to develop and produce high-performance sealing solutions for aircrafts, off-highway equipment, trucks and passenger cars, as well as for industrial applications. The facility is a part of the Trelleborg Sealing Solutions business area and will initially employ around 300 people, with the number increasing in the near future, according to the company.
Speaking to NBM&CW following the inauguration, Trelleborg's President and CEO Mr. Peter Nilsson, said that the investment made in setting up the plant is a part of company's continued long-term strategy to invest in markets with favorable growth potential. Using proven leading-edge development and manufacturing processes, the site, which covers a total of 12,000 square meters (120,000 square feet), will focus on a broad range of advanced sealing solutions in polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyurethane and special materials. The facility will serve the needs of Trelleborg's existing customers by providing local support and supply to their Indian plants, and just as importantly, to local manufacturers."
Construction equipment will be looked at as a potential market by Trelleborg to market its seals. According to Mr. Bony Paul, Managing Director, Trelleborg Sealing Solutions, India, "the strategic location of our new plant in Bangalore, will give us an advantage to tap the demand for seals for good number of construction equipment OEMs having manufacturing set up in the near vicinity. We're planning to develop customized sealing solutions jointly with the OEMs through convergence of their and our own R&D knowledge. Development of new high end technologically advanced products will be facilitated through the state-of-the-art facility. It will help us to improve our offering to the OEM's on similar lines currently being offered to our global customers." Trelleborg's new facility is complete with storage, manufacturing and testing lab and marketing office.
He said, "we're planning to market our static and dynamic sealing solutions to material handling and earthmoving equipment as they require higher uptime during the phase of their functioning, so as to make the operations viable for the users. Our advanced PTFE seals will extend the maintenance schedule of the equipment." He explained, "Hydraulic cranes along with higher capacity excavators and loaders come at a premium giving in turn higher return. Hence, users will not hesitate in using advanced products that will deliver value." PTFE seals are 2-3 times costlier than rubber seals. However, according to Mr. Paul, "the seals can work in acid and harsh conditions as compared to rubber seals." He said, "though we feel the entire value chain of construction equipment industry has got demand potential for seals. However, we find concrete equipment industry price driven in replacement of components and spare parts." Trelleborg markets its seals directly through OEM's. The company finds the after sales market pricewise less remunerative.
The company is planning to expand its presence in India with setting up of new Trelleborg Engineered Systems facility in Bangalore. The facility which is planned to be commissioned in September this year will develop, manufacture, and supply industrial anti-vibration systems with a focus on rail and molded components for a variety of industry segments.
Swedish seal manufacturing major Trelleborg recently inaugurated its new plant in Bangalore to develop and produce high-performance sealing solutions for aircrafts, off-highway equipment, trucks and passenger cars, as well as for industrial applications. The facility is a part of the Trelleborg Sealing Solutions business area and will initially employ around 300 people, with the number increasing in the near future, according to the company.
Focus on Construction Equipment
He said, "we're planning to market our static and dynamic sealing solutions to material handling and earthmoving equipment as they require higher uptime during the phase of their functioning, so as to make the operations viable for the users. Our advanced PTFE seals will extend the maintenance schedule of the equipment." He explained, "Hydraulic cranes along with higher capacity excavators and loaders come at a premium giving in turn higher return. Hence, users will not hesitate in using advanced products that will deliver value." PTFE seals are 2-3 times costlier than rubber seals. However, according to Mr. Paul, "the seals can work in acid and harsh conditions as compared to rubber seals." He said, "though we feel the entire value chain of construction equipment industry has got demand potential for seals. However, we find concrete equipment industry price driven in replacement of components and spare parts." Trelleborg markets its seals directly through OEM's. The company finds the after sales market pricewise less remunerative.
Trelleborg in India
Trelleborg has three facilities in India, Bangalore and Noida. These develop, manufacture and supply hydraulic and pneumatic sealing systems for fluid power, automotive and aerospace among others. In addition, there are eight regional sales and support offices to effectively cultivate the local market, as well as a center of excellence for engineering and design in Ahmedabad. Trelleborg has approximately 1,000 employees was roughly $61 million in 2011The company is planning to expand its presence in India with setting up of new Trelleborg Engineered Systems facility in Bangalore. The facility which is planned to be commissioned in September this year will develop, manufacture, and supply industrial anti-vibration systems with a focus on rail and molded components for a variety of industry segments.
NBM&CW June 2012
