Wärtsilä is poised for growth in India - expands existing unit into a state-of-the-art facility to meet global demands.
Wärtsilä has taken yet another big leap towards growth in India by inaugurating a new extension to its plant in Khopoli, Maharashtra. The plant manufactures auxiliary units and modules for engine driven power stations. The new extension will primarily cater to the requirement of Wärtsilä Group to supply auxiliaries all over the world. The focus will be on Wärtsilä 20, Wärtsilä 32 and Wärtsilä 34 engine installations. In the last few years, Wärtsilä has invested approximately EUR 8 million in its Khopoli unit, and further investments are possible in the future.
Speaking on the occasion of the inauguration, Mr Lars Hellberg, Group Vice President, Wärtsilä Industrial Operations, Wärtsilä Corporation said, “Wärtsilä’s proven technology enables the transition to a more sustainable and modern energy infrastructure in India. The new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility will work with the latest technology and semi-automation principle, where skilled manpower and modern manufacturing methods will both have equal opportunity.”
Wärtsilä in India started manufacturing auxiliary units and modules at its plant in Khopoli in 2004. Auxiliary units and modules are the peripheral accessories to the diesel generator room in the power plant. These process the oil, fuel, water and air that enter the diesel engine.
Currently there are some 1100 people working for Wärtsilä in India. In total Wärtsilä employs in Khopoli approximately 160 people, and following the plant extension this number is expected to increase by approximately 30 people. In addition to Khopoli, Wärtsilä is also present in India with sales and services activities in Navi Mumbai, Noida, Kolkatta, Secunderabad, Mangalore, Chennai, Mumbai, Vizakapatnam and Delhi.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Rakesh Sarin, Managing Director of Wärtsilä India Ltd, said, “This is the only facility manufacturing auxiliary modules owned by Wärtsilä. The rest of the supplies are through vendors in Europe. We continuously aim to improve the quality of our products and this has been our great focus area at the Khopoli plant.. Cost competitiveness has been achieved by applying multiple skills and improving productivity. We are very positive that the new set up will help our colleagues at Wärtsilä boost the efficiency of project execution.”
“Competitive cost and quality helped us win export markets, but the unit in Khopoli had reached a stage where the existing manufacturing facility was inadequate to cater to the demand. With this expansion, Wärtsilä India is now poised for a big leap in the export market with the inauguration of its new facility,” Mr Sarin concluded.
About Wärtsilä:
Wärtsilä enhances the business of its customers by providing them with complete lifecycle power solutions. When creating better and environmentally compatible technologies, Wärtsilä focuses on the marine and energy markets with products and solutions as well as services. Through innovative products and services, Wärtsilä sets out to be the most valued business partner of all its customers. This is achieved by the dedication of more than 17,000 professionals manning 160 Wärtsilä locations in 70 countries around the world. Wärtsilä is listed on The Nordic Exchange in Helsinki, Finland.
In India, Wärtsilä is a market leader in the decentralised power distribution captive power business with an installed base exceeding 3200 MW and over 270 decentralized power plants across the country. Wärtsilä takes care of the operation and maintenance on behalf of its customers in 60 multifuel (HFO, Gas, Coal, Biofuel etc) power plants generating over 700MW in India. In the marine market, Wärtsilä has delivered engines to vessels belonging to the Navy, Coast Guard, Port Trusts, Merchant Shipping, floating cranes and offshore rigs.
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For further information, please contact:
Ms Lydia D’Sa
Corporate Communications
Wärtsilä India Limited
Tel: +91-22-27575361-71 extn: 339
Mobile: +91-9819228240
e-mail: power@wartsila.com
Ms Marit Holmlund-Sund
Public Relations Manager
Wärtsilä Corporation
Direct tel: +358 10 709 1439
Direct fax: +358 10 709 1425
e-mail: marit.holmlund-sund@wartsila.com
Internet: www.wartsila.com
