Sundram Fasteners spreads its wings

08 November 2004

V Jagannathan talks to Suresh Krishna, CMD, Sundram Fasteners Limited on the company's new JV with Bleistahl Producktions Gmbh & Co.

 "We are certainly on an expansion mode," declares Suresh Krishna, chairman and managing director, Sundram Fasteners Limited.

In 1999 Sundram Fasteners acquired Autolec Industries Limited, which manufactures automobile pumps. It was later followed by the acquisition of Cramlington Precision Forge Limited, UK, from Dana Spicer for $2.64 million (Rs11.6 crore) and setting up a plant in China through a subsidiary Sundram Fasteners (Zhejiang) Limited with an investment of $5 million (Rs22 crore).

While the Chinese subsidiary commenced operations this May, Krishna says Cramlington Precision Forge is expanding its product basket. The unit makes precision forged gears and components for medium and heavy trucks.

With these acquisitions Sundram Fasteners is no more a manufacturer of nuts and bolts.

Reinforcing the image is the company's latest move. The Rs689-crore-turnover company has floated Sundram Bleistahl Private Limited, a 74:26 joint venture with the German automobile valve train parts manufacturer, Bleistahl Producktions Gmbh & Co.