Bosch India plans to invest Rs 250 crore in unit

To realise growth opportunities in the IT and ITES space in the country, Robert Bosch India today announced expanding its facility by investing Rs 250 crore.

The facility would become operational by early 2009, a top executive of the company said on Thursday.

The company has entered into agreement with Coimbatore Hitech Infrastructure Private Limited (CHIL) for about 21.88 acres of land, thus making the expanded facility the first unit in the Special Economic Zone here, Friedhelm Pickhard, Managing Director of Robert Bosch, told reporters here.

Construction would start in the last quarter of the year and the first phase would be inaugurated by early 2009, Pickhard said.

With the associate strength of 550 at present, the new infrastructure would pave way to meet the growing demand and would provide employment opportunities to the locals, thus increasing the number to 2,500, he said.

The company would pump in Rs 250 crore in the facility, which would be working on advanced technologies designing new Electronic Control Unit for diesel and Gasoline engines, and other automotive applications such as portable navigation systems, semi autonomous parking systems and adaptive cruise control, Pickhard said.

CHIL, promoted by KG group, is the first private sector specific SEZ notified by the Centre and would be creating 1.2 million square feet of office by August 2008, providing employment opportunities to nearly 30,000 persons, Ashok Bhakthavatsalam, its Managing Director said.