Newscast

MSSL acquires CIM Tools

Motherson Sumi Systems Ltd. (MSSL) has successfully completed the acquisition of a majority stake in CIM Tools Pvt. Ltd. (CIM). As per an earlier announcement, MSSL has acquired a 56 per cent stake in CIM Tools. The latter in turn holds a 83 per cent in Aero Treatment Pvt. Ltd. (ATPL) and 49.99 per cent in Lauak CIM Aerospace (JV with Lauak International, LCA). CIM, ATPL and LCA are hereafter referred to as CIM Group”. The three founders, Srikanth GS, Umesh AS and Vishwanath Deshpande, retain the remaining 45 per cent stake in CIM. Since the initial announcement in October, 21, CIM’s order book is claimed to have grown by 26 per cent to USD 252 million. CIM Group’s provisional revenue in Q4 FY22 was Rs.548 million, implying a strong recovery to pre-Covid19 levels (Revenues of Rs.2,031 mn in FY20 and Rs.1,296 mn in FY21). CIM Tools is engaged in specialised machining and sub-assembly of components for the aerospace industry. ATPL is a vertically integrated unit engaged in the surface treatment of machined parts. This acquisition marked MSSL’s entry into the aerospace industry and provides it with access to an existing and wellestablished customer base. The specialised capabilities to serve the aerospace industry through its four dedicated facilities is another step forward in the diversification strategy of MSSL.

New investment by Continental

Continental, as a part of new investment, has inaugurated a Rs.200 crore greenfield surface solutions plant in Pune. Designed for car interiors including electric vehicles and two-wheeler seats, the premium surface materials which the company plans to manufacture will largely cater to the domestic market and exports. The new surface solution plant will focus on reducing environmental impact and lowering the carbon footprint. Commenting on the new investment, Philip Nelles, Member of the Continental Executive Board and Head of Group Sector ContiTech said, “Growing our business in the Asia-Pacific region is one of our main strategic pillars. Amongst others, India will play a major role to strive for our goal. That’s why we continue to invest into our Indian locations. Thus, we will remain close to our customers maximising value creation.” The new location is Continental’s sixteenth surface solutions plant globally, producing well-known surface materials like ‘Acella Eco’ used by worldwide top car manufacturers and automotive brands.

Bosch India achieves a new milestone

Bosch India has reached a significant milestone by producing 10-million Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Program (ESP) units for passenger vehicles at its Chakan plant near Pune. “Bosch has had a remarkable run in India over the last 100 years, and the milestone of producing 10 million ABS and ESP units locally at our plant in Chakan serves as a testament to our commitment to building an Atmanirbhar Bharat,” Avinash Chintawar, Managing Director of Bosch Chassis Systems India Pvt. Ltd. said. ABS can reduce relevant car accidents by 20 per cent, according to studies conducted by Bosch’s accident research team in India, while ESP units can prevent up to 80 per cent of car skidding incidents. Bosch first introduced ABS in India in 2005 and ESP in 2009 followed by the inauguration of its Chakan plant in 2010, initiating the localisation of ABS and ESP systems.

Newscast

Bridgestone India’s sets up facility

Bridgestone India has inaugurated a first-of-its-kind Mobility Solutions Institute in India. Through this facility, the company aims to enable various stakeholders, employees, dealers and partners to enhance their knowledge on tyre technology and related mobility solutions. This institute will assist stakeholders in staying updated on mobility solutions and tyre technology advancements respectively. This Corporate University will also focus on educating employees and external stakeholders about mobility solutions trends and new product features. The centre would showcase an AR/VR experience offering real-time solutions that can be provided for damaged tyres or any assistance for technicians at remote locations. It would also include a tyre shop in a virtual world where products, its application and advantages can be viewed. “As one of the global leaders in the mobility space, we want to bring in worldwide best practices for upskilling relevant stakeholders in the business. This will help us further integrate with them through learning and knowledge sharing in tyres, related services and solutions in mobility,” commented Parag Satpute, Managing Director, Bridgestone India. This oneof-its-kind concept is the company’s attempt towards developing a comprehensive skill set in India’s growing mobility market, he mentioned further. The faculty for the institute currently comprises leaders and domain experts from within the organisation. The institute comprises a Tyre Experience Zone, a tyre lab showcasing the life cycle of a tyre from the raw material stage to the final product stage. It also showcases the tyre explosion stage from the technical understanding viewpoint.

BorgWarner’s new acquisition Apollo Tyres Opens Digital Innovation Hub

BorgWarner Inc. has completed its acquisition of Santroll Automotive Components, a carve-out of Santroll’s eMotor business. The acquisition is expected to strengthen BorgWarner’s vertical integration, scale, and portfolio breadth in light vehicle e-motors while allowing for increased speed to market. Based in Tianjin, China, Santroll designs and manufactures hairpin and concentrated-winding technology eMotors for use in light vehicles. Santroll supplies its patented technology to the Chinese OEM market. With nearly 400 full-time employees, Santroll brings manufacturing equipment design capabilities and proven automation expertise that have allowed it to secure business relationships with many leading customers in China. Apollo Tyres has announced the launch of its Digital Innovation Hub in London. Aiming at implementing Industry 4.0, the hub is a part of its digital strategy which uses Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning technologies to solve complex manufacturing problems to further improve the efficiency, quality and sustainability of its manufacturing practices. The company has partnered with Glasgow University and is also implementing an ongoing internship programme for STEM students (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) as part of the UK Government strategy. According to Neeraj Kanwar, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Apollo Tyres Ltd., the company has invested around five million pounds in the Digital Innovation Hub. A result of Apollo Tyres’ five-year growth plan which involves significant investment in technology and cloud infrastructure, the hub is being engineered and architected in the UK, and specialist companies in London are being consulted to help with complex application development. The company made the announcement on the eve of Boris Johnson’s visit to India, during which the two countries will be discussing UKIndia trade and economic partnership.

Newscast

ABB India Gujarat plant expansion

ABB India announced the inauguration of its expanded Digital Substation Products and Digital Systems factory at Vadodara, in Gujarat. This new factory, located within ABB India’s largest manufacturing campus, will meet the growing demand for a diverse range of digital substation products and digital solutions in India and more than 50 other countries. The product portfolio includes relays, and the solutions include centralised protection and control systems. This facility manufactures four variants or series of relays, constituting a significant portion of ABB’s portfolio of this product. The manufacturing of relays follows a complex testing sequence comprising of high voltage test, functional test and heat run test. Commenting on the expansion, Sanjeev Sharma, Country Head and Managing Director, ABB India, said, “We have been consistently investing in Gujarat, making it one of our largest manufacturing campuses. The inauguration of this facility demonstrates our commitment to partner India’s grid expansion and clean energy targets.”

Chargeup and Microgrid collaborate

Chargeup has signed an Memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Microgrid Labs to formalise a business engagement with BECIL to be their technology partners. BECIL is a Mini Ratna Public Sector Enterprise of the Government of India, offering advisory and consulting services to the Indian and Overseas (Limited to Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, countries in Africa where BECIL is active) customers to support the transition from fossil fuel-powered fleet to electric fleet. The objective of this MoU is to prepare a framework by Chargeup, Microgrid Labs, and BECIL. The scope of the consultancy would cover transition planning and design for the Indian and overseas fleet electrification and EV charging infrastructure market using battery swapping technology. Talking about his company’s role, Narayanan Sankar, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Co-Founder, Microgrid Labs, said, “Microgrid Labs has been dedicated to working towards providing transition planning support for fleet electrification for our clients. Our expertise includes designing and deployment of world-class charging infrastructure and mathematical modelling services.” He informed, “We use EVOPT Planning and Controlling software that has been developed internally and is patented by Microgrid Labs.”

Altair Startup Challenge 2022

Altair announced the launch of Altair Startup Challenge 2022, continuing its collaboration with Startup India, a Government of India initiative. Aimed at building a strong and inclusive ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship India, the Startup Challenge gives organisations access to high-end technology, mentorship, and expert support and guidance in their quest for innovative products. The company seeks to identify, support, mentor, and reward budding startups with its simulation, optimisation, and machine learning technologies combined with its dedicated team of mentors with extensive experience and knowledge. The award categories were simulation-driven product design and development, digital twin, and embedded systems. The Altair Startup Challenge required startups to identify Altair technologies that would drive the design and engineering of their companies’ products which would improve product performance, reduce product development time, and minimise cost. Eight companies were short listed from a pool of more than 156 applications; as a reward, Altair provided these startups with mentorship and free access to Altair technologies for four months. Winners were judged based on how they applied Altair technologies and how well they enhanced their product designs and their potential business impact.

Newscast

LANXESS hikes prices for inorganic pigments

Speciality chemicals company, LANXESS is imposing global price surcharges for its inorganic pigments with immediate effect. Prices will rise by EUR 400 per metric ton for iron oxide pigments from its production site in Krefeld-Uerdingen, Germany, and EUR 200 from the Porto Feliz site in Brazil – or the equivalent amount in national currency. In addition, the Inorganic Pigments business unit is also adjusting the quotations for chromium oxides. The reasons for the adjustments are, in particular, unprecedented challenges with a significant impact on production and logistics. Compared with the previous year, energy prices are at a significantly higher level and are expected to remain high and volatile for the rest of the year, not least as a result of the war in Ukraine. Enormous shortages and cost increases for raw materials and freight capacities are additional burdening factors.

Matter Energy 1.0 battery pack

Matter has unveiled a new product called the Matter Energy 1.0 battery pack with Integrated Intelligent Thermal Management System and a Smart Battery Management System. The company claims that this is India’s first active liquid-cooled battery pack for electric two-wheelers, which will improve safety. High power density, battery packs with IP67 ratings, and sensor systems are some of the features of battery packs that are used to ensure optimal battery performance. Mohal Lalbhai, Founder and CEO, Matter said, “As the safety and performance of battery-powered electric vehicles are integral to their viability and acceptability, Matter has developed a highly purpose-built battery pack that will meet the needs of the EV 2W industry. For electric vehicles to become mainstream it is pivotal that we focus on the product development cycle that is simulation intensive, thoroughly tested, and validated for reliability and safety.” “Matter Energy 1.0, a breakthrough futuristic battery pack is fully charged and ready to power the EV 2W landscape in India,” he added. When compared to other materials, the battery casing is made of lightweight metal that is also thermally conductive.

Hyva appoints Pankaj Kapoor

Hyva has appointed Pankaj Kapoor as Vice President and Managing Director for its Indian operations. Being one of the leading providers of innovative and highly efficient transport solutions for the commercial vehicle and environmental service industries, the company is banking on Kapoor’s vast business experience to lead their operations in India while it looks forward to expansion. In the past, Kapoor has held senior leadership positions at Tenneco Automotive India, Omax Autos, Motherson Sumi Systems, Federal Mogul Powertrain, Uno Minda and more recently at AMR as CEO and Group Head Strategy. He has strong General Management credentials, both commercially (B2B & B2C) and in Operations, and a strong track record of business growth. Speaking about his appointment, Kapoor expressed, “I look forward to taking the company to the next level both in terms of growth and success.”

Newscast / international

Toyoda Gosei CNF-plastic

Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. has developed a cellulose nanofiber (CNF)-reinforced plastic for automotive parts. Aiming at reducing CO2 over the lifecycle of automotive components, from raw material procurement and production to recycling and disposal, the company is developing materials that raise the environmental performance of its products by leveraging the features of CNF. The newly developed CNF-reinforced plastic comprises 20 per cent CNF in a general purpose plastic (polypropylene) and is used in automobile interior and exterior components. To overcome the challenge of reduced impact resistance from the inclusion of CNF, the company used its material mix design and kneading expertise to raise impact resistance to a level suitable for automotive components. The company further aims at lowering the costs in cooperation with CNF material manufacturers. SAIETTA Group plc (Saietta) has taken over the ZF Automotive UK Ltd. (ZF) facility in Sunderland to set up its own manufacturing facility. The facility has been re purposed to produce a range of Saietta products with an initial capacity of 100,000 motors per annum. Through this facility, Saietta aims at cleaning up the air in large cities around the globe by quickly deploying its innovative electric drive technology from scooters to buses. With this agreement Saietta is progressing towards its goal of establishing a UK pilot production facility well before 2024. Spread across 86,000 square feet area, the plant has a distinguished history of manufacturing over 20 million electric motors for a range of automotive applications since 1999. Purchasing a total of four motor production lines and an electronic circuit board production line and a considerable amount of this equipment, the company intends to use its new facility to scale up the production of its proprietary Axial-Flux Technology (AFT) motors for multiple applications.

Saietta Group takes over plant

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