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India-based Retread & Repair Materials Manufacturer Kwik Patch has announced that it is to open a new and expanded production site at Natrajapuram, about 60 km from Chennai in the South Indian State of Tamil Nadu. The company is moving its current Padalam-based site to the new location.
The new and expanded production site is expected to be operational by the middle of April. “The new factory has been de- bottlenecked and with Capex infusion has been designed to contribute an increase of 50% to our top line over the next three years,” said Srinath Rajam, CM. “Improved process control instrumentation and towards an increase in labour productivity as price stability is a key requirement of our customers,” he added.
Chennai headquartered Kwik Patch already operates two additional sites in
Satara (Maharashtra) and Chengalpattu (Tamil Nadu) respectively. “The upcoming Natrajapuram site will further progress Kwik Patch journey in lean manufacturing and address two key areas of waste/non- value-added activities namely a reduction in people and material distance movement Rajam. The new site is installed with more compact layout that produces higher volume, less movement of materials/ people and offers scope for future expansion.
Commenting on evolving trends and Kwik Patch’s increasing capabilities, he said, “The rapid evolution of technology in the new tyres market is the driving force for the retreading and repair materials industry and our R&D and technical team is fully geared-up to launch new products as and when the demand arises in both domestic and international markets - for instance an instant side wall repair system for off-the-road/defence applications with less than 5 minutes drying time.”
The company has a JV with Myers Industries/Patch Rubber Company, USA,
technical capabilities to ensure that world-class products are being introduced regularly. Growing at 20% annually, the majority of Kwik Patch’s sales (80%) come from overseas markets.
The company also points out that demand for high-quality products offered at reasonable prices is growing, with business moving towards companies producing quality products meeting global standards. “In any product category, globalisation is forcing everybody to move upwards with respect to compliance, testing and even sustainability; the repair materials industry is no exception,” explained Rajam.
The company views India as being just one amongst the 60+ countries that it does business in, and its focus is equally distributed in growing the top line in each of these countries. “Our global partnership with TVS supply chain solutions enables us to deliver on a Just- in-Time basis worldwide. Kwik Patch also caters to 38 global brands in the international market,” he added.
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