Sulzer Metco inaugurated its new manufacturing operation in Chennai, India, on May 1st, 2007. The plant is located in the state of Tamil Nadu, known as the “Detroit of India,” due to the presence of several global automotive manufacturers including Ford, Mitsubishi, Hyundai, and Visteon.
Sulzer Metco’s new plant is focused on lean principles, safety, and quality. Sulzer Metco inaugurated its new manufacturing operation in Chennai, India, on May 1st, 2007. The plant is located in the state of Tamil Nadu, known as the “Detroit of India,” due to the presence of several global automotive manufacturers including Ford, Mitsubishi, Hyundai, and Visteon.
Tamil Nadu, which is home to more than 100 automotive component manufacturers, is experiencing dramatic growth due to an improved infrastructure and a strong commitment to quality as defined by global automotive standards. The new plant is focused on bonding Sulzer Euroflamm’s high performance carbon friction material, EF® 5010, onto synchronizer rings for truck and passenger-car manual transmissions. The new facility, fully equipped with indigenized bonding equipment, began production activities in mid-2006. The plant has an annual bonding capacity of 2 million parts. The company’s quality performance boasts zero returns on parts produced. The facility is equipped to bond synchronizer rings up to 160mm diameter and can accommodate a wide range of base materials. Indian customers are very interested in Sulzer Euroflamm’s carbon technology due to the overall value equation including durability, shift comfort, and load capacity.