Chennai :  Tenneco Inc. today announced the opening of a new manufacturing facility in Chakan near Pune, India.  The 13,000 sqm facility is located close to key customers in the Pune region including Volkswagen, General Motors, Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra.  It will produce emission control products and systems and supply ride performance products on a just in time (JIT) basis. The Chakan facility is Tenneco’s sixth manufacturing location in India.

Mr. Mahesh Kodumudi, President and Managing Director, Volkswagen India and members of Tenneco’s senior management inaugurated the facility during a ceremony earlier today.

“We are proud of this facility with its state-of-the art manufacturing processes and capabilities and efficient production lines,” said Hari Nair, chief operating officer, Tenneco.  “Our investment here reflects Tenneco’s commitment to India and our plans for continued growth in this dynamic market, in both the automotive and commercial vehicle industries.”

The Chakan facility is equipped with the latest converter canning technology, robotic welding and assembly and highly automated muffler manufacturing lines.  The facility also has a modular assembly line for ride performance products which it supplies to Pune-based OEMs.  It also supplies clean air products to commercial vehicle customers SML Isuzu and Ag Tractors.

Tenneco intends to grow in Pune with the Chakan facility, which has the capacity to produce more than 2,500 exhaust systems daily.  This capacity can be easily increased using available space.  In addition, the company has plans to establish Chakan as the Indian hub for developing and testing technologies for India-specific clean air programs.

Sagar Hemade, Managing Director, Tenneco India, said: “We have the expertise and advanced technologies to meet the increasing demand from our customers for advanced aftertreatment systems to comply with stricter emissions regulations, which are driving growth here in India.”

Tenneco currently employs over 350 people in Chakan. “We expect that number to increase as we grow our operations, including adding engineering capabilities, and continue to win new business,” Hemade added.

Source : Govind