Pune: The US$1.5-billion auto components global manufacturer, Kalyani group, is close to becoming the world''s largest forgings company. The company''s ongoing capacity expansion at its Pune facilities is set to be complete by the end of the current fiscal.

Kalyani group is expanding operations globally and is consolidating itself in India. Next year Kalyani will set up greenfield manufacturing facilities at locations outside India as part of the expansion plan of some of its existing companies. Among the locations being considered by the company is East Europe.

Kalyani group currently has operations in eight countries. In India the company is doubling capacities at its Pune plant from 1,60,000 tonnes to 2,40,000 tonnes, taking its total global capacity to the five-lakh tonne level.

The group, which is a key supplier to 37 original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), is examining various possibilities for setting up operations in the China market driven by demand from the OEMs.

The Kalyani group is a major player in the auto business with a market share of 35-40 per cent in the global market place.