Date:28/02/2008 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/02/28/stories/2008022852420300.htm

Back Shriram Pistons to spend Rs 600 cr on second facility

T. Murrali

Chennai, Feb. 27 The New Delhi based Shriram Pistons & Rings Ltd (SPRL) intends to spend Rs 600 crore over the next five years in its second manufacturing facility that is coming up at Pathredi in Rajasthan.

The company manufactures pistons, piston rings and engine valves catering to most vehicle and engine manufacturers in the country.

It has a production unit at Ghaziabad, near Delhi. The second plant is being set up to double the company’s capacity and to produce high-end products suitable for automotive engines that conform to Euro IV and Euro V emission norms, Mr A.K. Taneja, President, Shriram Pistons & Rings, told Business Line recently.

Pistons and rings are key components in an engine and play a big role in emissions. Shriram Pistons’ new plant will feature cutting-edge processes such as plasma coating, Mr Taneja said.

solution provider

Mr Taneja, who was here to take part in the annual convention of the Madras Management Association recently, said that Shriram Pistons was in the process of transforming itself from a company that supplies products, to one that provides a complete solution.

“We wish to see ourselves as solution providers handling projects from concept till the project is out, which includes design, validation, testing, simulation and prototyping,” Mr Taneja said.

Currently, Shriram Pistons has design, prototyping and engine testing capabilities. However, it would strengthen itself in simulation and validation, which would enable it to cater to its customers’ requirements faster and at lower cost, he said.

The company has invested in technology such as oil cooling gallery pistons for engines that operate at high pressures, primarily for better combustion and hence lower emissions, he said.