Electronics Corporation of Tamil Nadu (ELCOT) plans to establish an information technology park here on 29 acres. Foundation has been laid for a Tidel Park on the site and works have commenced.
It plans to expand this project further and is in the process of getting 26 acres more, adjacent to the site. Faced with overwhelming demand for land from IT companies, the Corporation has started looking for larger areas to develop more IT parks here.
For over six months, it is trying to identify at least 250 acres. Since the ELCOT is looking at developing social infrastructure too at the parks along with space allocation to the IT companies, it needs a minimum of 100 to 200 acres for a park. However, the spiralling land prices here are a matter of concern to the ELCOT now.
Coimbatore does not have huge chunks of Government land suitable for IT parks to take over or develop. In the case of private lands, sky-rocketing prices put Coimbatore at a disadvantage, says an ELCOT official.
"Since it is difficult to progress with such rates, we are now looking at development of only the 55 acres," the official says.
The Corporation plans IT parks in about 260 acres in Madurai and the entire space has been booked. In Tiruchi it originally proposed an IT park on 135 acres. Since the demand has shot up, it now plans to expand on another 100 acres. In these places availability of Government or Government-controlled land has helped, he adds. "Madurai and Tiruchi are certainly taking off with added advantages such as international air connectivity," he says.
In Madurai land will be allotted in one park to the IT companies to develop their own campus with housing facilities too. It will also earmark land for a school. Tidel Parks are proposed in Salem, Tirunelveli and Hosur too. In all these centres, 100 acres of land form the minimum for a park, he points out. In Coimbatore the Corporation is open to joint venture proposals too. However, the "artificial prices" have made the going tough and the IT companies will look at other centres if this continues, he says.
Monday, April 16, 2007
New L&T division in Coimbatore
Larsen & Toubro Limited (L&T) the USD 4 billion engineering, technology and Construction Company crossed yet another milestone in its growth with the back to back inauguration of the first two facilities at its 300 acre campus in Coimbatore. The facilities for the manufacture of high end industrial valves and switchboards, will cater to domestic and international markets, and position India as a global player in the high end manufacturing space.
The switchboards facility of L&T’s Electrical & Electronics Division, was inaugurated by Mr. R. N. Mukhija, President – Operations, and Member of the Board of L&T.
The valve facility of L&T’s associate company, Audco India Limited (AIL) was jointly inaugurated by Mr. K.V Rangaswami, President – Operations and Member of the Board, L&T, and Mr. Lewis M. Kling, President and Chief Executive Officer of Flowserve Corporation, USA. AIL is a joint venture of L&T and Flowserve.
Commenting on the landmark event, Mr. A. M. Naik, Chairman & Managing Director, L&T, stated: “The new facilities signal L&T’s commitment to strengthening high end manufacturing capability within the country. They are building blocks in our larger strategic goal of enhancing capacities to meet global demand for high precision manufacturing. This is in addition to L&T’s well established world class capabilities in execution of large projects and heavy engineering. The facilities will help L&T consolidate its leadership position in the high technology manufacturing space.”
Emphasising the export opportunity, Mr. Mukhija, said, “The switchboards facility is poised to become the country’s single largest unit of its kind. Over 40 per cent of the production will cater to international markets.”
Inaugurating the facility for valves, Mr. K.V. Rangaswamy, said “The fact that the facilities have been set up within 11 months of laying the foundation stone reflects L&T’s accelerated pace of operations and the importance that the Company attaches to its expansion plans at Coimbatore.”
All the facilities in the 300 acre Coimbatore Campus will incorporate cutting edge technology and ‘best of breed’ practices. The campus will progressively see the establishment of manufacturing facilities and technology centres for various strategic business units, an advanced tooling centre, and facilities for high precision components for sectors like aerospace, nuclear, automotive and hydraulics.
The strategic choice of Coimbatore was based on the competitive advantages that the industrial city offers in terms of a strong supporting technical infrastructure with over 30,000 small and medium enterprises, high caliber of skilled talent and an enabling industrial environment. The city also enjoys proximity to the major ports of Cochin and Tuticorin.
The campus would also generate extensive direct and indirect employment. As with all of L&T manufacturing facilities, the Coimbatore Campus will meet critical environmental standards. Afforestation programmes envisage the planting of over 60,000 trees in the campus.
The switchboards facility of L&T’s Electrical & Electronics Division, was inaugurated by Mr. R. N. Mukhija, President – Operations, and Member of the Board of L&T.
The valve facility of L&T’s associate company, Audco India Limited (AIL) was jointly inaugurated by Mr. K.V Rangaswami, President – Operations and Member of the Board, L&T, and Mr. Lewis M. Kling, President and Chief Executive Officer of Flowserve Corporation, USA. AIL is a joint venture of L&T and Flowserve.
Commenting on the landmark event, Mr. A. M. Naik, Chairman & Managing Director, L&T, stated: “The new facilities signal L&T’s commitment to strengthening high end manufacturing capability within the country. They are building blocks in our larger strategic goal of enhancing capacities to meet global demand for high precision manufacturing. This is in addition to L&T’s well established world class capabilities in execution of large projects and heavy engineering. The facilities will help L&T consolidate its leadership position in the high technology manufacturing space.”
Emphasising the export opportunity, Mr. Mukhija, said, “The switchboards facility is poised to become the country’s single largest unit of its kind. Over 40 per cent of the production will cater to international markets.”
Inaugurating the facility for valves, Mr. K.V. Rangaswamy, said “The fact that the facilities have been set up within 11 months of laying the foundation stone reflects L&T’s accelerated pace of operations and the importance that the Company attaches to its expansion plans at Coimbatore.”
All the facilities in the 300 acre Coimbatore Campus will incorporate cutting edge technology and ‘best of breed’ practices. The campus will progressively see the establishment of manufacturing facilities and technology centres for various strategic business units, an advanced tooling centre, and facilities for high precision components for sectors like aerospace, nuclear, automotive and hydraulics.
The strategic choice of Coimbatore was based on the competitive advantages that the industrial city offers in terms of a strong supporting technical infrastructure with over 30,000 small and medium enterprises, high caliber of skilled talent and an enabling industrial environment. The city also enjoys proximity to the major ports of Cochin and Tuticorin.
The campus would also generate extensive direct and indirect employment. As with all of L&T manufacturing facilities, the Coimbatore Campus will meet critical environmental standards. Afforestation programmes envisage the planting of over 60,000 trees in the campus.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Flowserve Corporate plans a new pump manufacturing facility in coimbatore
Flowserve Corp. on Tuesday reported the opening of a new pump manufacturing facility in Coimbatore, India. The company stated that the facility would support the company's existing Indian operations and provide pump products, for the oil and gas, power and chemical industries.
The company added that the pump facility was built on fourteen acres at an investment of nearly US$8.5 million.
The company added that the pump facility was built on fourteen acres at an investment of nearly US$8.5 million.
Monday, April 09, 2007
TNAU identified to develop E-Course
With the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Delhi sanctioning Rs. 9 crores for modernising educational system and programmes,the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University is channelizing its expertise on Information and Communication Technology to other agricultural universities in the Country.
Currently,TNAU has been identified as the Nodal University among all the 42 State Agricultural Universities and four Central Agricultural Universities in the Country for development of E-Course (Web lessons), its Vice-Chancellor, Dr C Ramasamy told reporters here.
For this purpose, ICAR has sanctioned Rs.1.6 crores under the National Agricultural Innovation Project to TNAU and under this, all 46 Universities would follow E-lessons that have been developed for B.Sc (Agri) by TNAU through the Centralised National Server, he said.
A special grant of Rs. 4 crores has been sanctioned for providing internet connectivity in individual rooms in Student hostels and the post-graduate scholars in Coimbatore and Madurai campus would be given internet connectivity.
For the undergraduate students hostels, connectivity would be provided in four campuses of Coimbatore, Madurai, Killikulam and Periyakulam for the time being and other campuses would be covered in a few months time, Ramasamy said.
Currently,TNAU has been identified as the Nodal University among all the 42 State Agricultural Universities and four Central Agricultural Universities in the Country for development of E-Course (Web lessons), its Vice-Chancellor, Dr C Ramasamy told reporters here.
For this purpose, ICAR has sanctioned Rs.1.6 crores under the National Agricultural Innovation Project to TNAU and under this, all 46 Universities would follow E-lessons that have been developed for B.Sc (Agri) by TNAU through the Centralised National Server, he said.
A special grant of Rs. 4 crores has been sanctioned for providing internet connectivity in individual rooms in Student hostels and the post-graduate scholars in Coimbatore and Madurai campus would be given internet connectivity.
For the undergraduate students hostels, connectivity would be provided in four campuses of Coimbatore, Madurai, Killikulam and Periyakulam for the time being and other campuses would be covered in a few months time, Ramasamy said.
Monday, April 02, 2007
IT Park works begin
Works for setting up IT parks in Coimbatore, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, Salem and Tirunelveli has already began, the Chief Minister, M Karunanidhi, told the State assembly today.
The government had initiated measures to acquire 29 acres of land from Coimbatore Medical College and transfer it to ELCOT for setting up an IT park, Karunanidhi said adding more lands would be acquired for the project.
Land for IT parks had been selected in Madurai, Tiruchirapalli, Salem and Tirunelveli, he said adding the government had no plans to set up IT parks in Thanjavur.
The government had initiated measures to acquire 29 acres of land from Coimbatore Medical College and transfer it to ELCOT for setting up an IT park, Karunanidhi said adding more lands would be acquired for the project.
Land for IT parks had been selected in Madurai, Tiruchirapalli, Salem and Tirunelveli, he said adding the government had no plans to set up IT parks in Thanjavur.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Siruvani storage level fast depleting
Mayor R. Venkatachalam has appealed to the city's residents to use drinking water judiciously during summer.
Fast depleting
Mr. Venkatachalam told reporters that water levels in the two major reservoirs, Siruvani and Pilloor, were fast depleting.
Siruvani storage
The Siruvani storage stood at 871.49 m (last year at this time it was 872.75 m). As against the requirement of 75 mld (million litres per day), the city is getting only 73 mld. Pilloor supply is 60 mld against the requirement of 64 mld.
To overcome the shortfall, the Corporation has begun digging borewells in every ward for supply of hard water for purposes other than drinking water. Stringent action would be taken against water theft using motor pumps from main pipelines. Those found drawing more water would face disconnection of supply without any prior notice besides legal action, the Mayor said. Those penalised for these offences would not be able to avail new connection or a reconnection immediately.
Mechanism
The Corporation was also evolving a mechanism wherein the ward councillors would join the water supply engineers in patrolling residential areas to detect theft of water using motor pumps.
The public could inform about water thefts at the Mayor's office at 0422-2395884. Identity of the informant would be kept confidential, he said.
Fast depleting
Mr. Venkatachalam told reporters that water levels in the two major reservoirs, Siruvani and Pilloor, were fast depleting.
Siruvani storage
The Siruvani storage stood at 871.49 m (last year at this time it was 872.75 m). As against the requirement of 75 mld (million litres per day), the city is getting only 73 mld. Pilloor supply is 60 mld against the requirement of 64 mld.
To overcome the shortfall, the Corporation has begun digging borewells in every ward for supply of hard water for purposes other than drinking water. Stringent action would be taken against water theft using motor pumps from main pipelines. Those found drawing more water would face disconnection of supply without any prior notice besides legal action, the Mayor said. Those penalised for these offences would not be able to avail new connection or a reconnection immediately.
Mechanism
The Corporation was also evolving a mechanism wherein the ward councillors would join the water supply engineers in patrolling residential areas to detect theft of water using motor pumps.
The public could inform about water thefts at the Mayor's office at 0422-2395884. Identity of the informant would be kept confidential, he said.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Coimbatore wet grinders gain grounds in Singapore and Malaysia
With good enquiries received for both domestic and commercial wet grinders from Singapore and Malaysia, Coimbatore's wet grinder manufacturers hoped to tap the potential in the two markets having a large number of south Indians.
As a part of the cluster programme being implemented by the Small Industries Service Institute (Sisi) and the Coimbatore Wet Grinder and Accessories Manufacturers' Association (Cowma), 16 manufacturers visited Singapore and Malaysia recently and held business meets.
"The aim was to supply wet grinders to South Indians living there. The manufacturers received enquiries for domestic and commercial grinders from the two countries. While they can export the domestic grinders without any modification, the commercial ones need to be re - designed and exported", Mr V Ramakrishnan, assistant director, Sisi, told ET.
According to a Cowma spokesperson, the restaurants in these countries are now buying grinders from India and making the changes according to their requirements. They want the manufacturers to incorporate these changes at the production stage itself.
As such, some wet grinder manufacturers here plan to modify the design of commercial wet grinders (mainly used in restaurants) to meet the demands of overseas customers.
There are nearly 700 units in Coimbatore involved in the manufacture of wet grinders and their accessories including domestic, commercial and table - top wet grinders. Of the total production of 60,000 units a month, around 40 % is being exported to the Middle East countries, South Africa, America and Canada.
As a part of the cluster programme being implemented by the Small Industries Service Institute (Sisi) and the Coimbatore Wet Grinder and Accessories Manufacturers' Association (Cowma), 16 manufacturers visited Singapore and Malaysia recently and held business meets.
"The aim was to supply wet grinders to South Indians living there. The manufacturers received enquiries for domestic and commercial grinders from the two countries. While they can export the domestic grinders without any modification, the commercial ones need to be re - designed and exported", Mr V Ramakrishnan, assistant director, Sisi, told ET.
According to a Cowma spokesperson, the restaurants in these countries are now buying grinders from India and making the changes according to their requirements. They want the manufacturers to incorporate these changes at the production stage itself.
As such, some wet grinder manufacturers here plan to modify the design of commercial wet grinders (mainly used in restaurants) to meet the demands of overseas customers.
There are nearly 700 units in Coimbatore involved in the manufacture of wet grinders and their accessories including domestic, commercial and table - top wet grinders. Of the total production of 60,000 units a month, around 40 % is being exported to the Middle East countries, South Africa, America and Canada.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Reduction in Value Added Tax welcomed !!
The Planters' Association of Tamil Nadu has welcomed the proposed reduction in Value Added Tax (VAT) on unbranded coffee and chicory announced in the Tamil Nadu budget.
In a release, its chairman, T. Jayaram, said that the proposed reduction of the tax from 12.5 per cent to 4 per cent was a "welcome relief, though this concession should have been extended to branded coffee and chicory too."
Mr. Jayaram expressed disappointment that the budget had not addressed issues such as extending concession rate of 1 per cent VAT for teas sold through auction centres in the State.
Policy decisions were needed to allow diversification of crops in plantations through suitable amendments to the Tamil Nadu Land Reforts Act, 1961. "These issues need the immediate attention of the Government to sustain the viability and long-term interest of the plantation industry," he said.
In a release, its chairman, T. Jayaram, said that the proposed reduction of the tax from 12.5 per cent to 4 per cent was a "welcome relief, though this concession should have been extended to branded coffee and chicory too."
Mr. Jayaram expressed disappointment that the budget had not addressed issues such as extending concession rate of 1 per cent VAT for teas sold through auction centres in the State.
Policy decisions were needed to allow diversification of crops in plantations through suitable amendments to the Tamil Nadu Land Reforts Act, 1961. "These issues need the immediate attention of the Government to sustain the viability and long-term interest of the plantation industry," he said.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Job expo in coimbatore
Around 400 students were expected to get placement from various verticals like IT, ITES, Biotech and Manufacturing, during the two-day Job expo, beginning on March 24 in Coimbatore.
Anna University-Coimbatore, the organisors, has invited students passing out in 2007 to take part in this event and diploma holders with 65 per cent marks can also take assessment test during the expo, its Vice Chancellor, Dr R.Radhakrishnan, told reporters this evening.
Expertus, a US-based Human Capital Management company, has come forward to manage the fair.Eleven large corporates have confirmed their participation to shortlist the candidates for their human resource requirements To make the hiring process more effective, the candidates would be assessed on their aptitude abilities and the results would be forwarded to participating companies along with the academic details, before the event, he said.
The process would help comapnies make good use of the two days they spend at the event in meeting eligible candidates, he said, adding of the 5000 candidates assessed, 3,500 were likely to turn up and around 400 candidates were expected to get placement.
"It is my vision to conduct such events at regular intervals at the campus, where large MNCs would be able to meet their growing human capital needs by recruiting students for various positions that are open in the companies," Radhakrishnan said
Anna University-Coimbatore, the organisors, has invited students passing out in 2007 to take part in this event and diploma holders with 65 per cent marks can also take assessment test during the expo, its Vice Chancellor, Dr R.Radhakrishnan, told reporters this evening.
Expertus, a US-based Human Capital Management company, has come forward to manage the fair.Eleven large corporates have confirmed their participation to shortlist the candidates for their human resource requirements To make the hiring process more effective, the candidates would be assessed on their aptitude abilities and the results would be forwarded to participating companies along with the academic details, before the event, he said.
The process would help comapnies make good use of the two days they spend at the event in meeting eligible candidates, he said, adding of the 5000 candidates assessed, 3,500 were likely to turn up and around 400 candidates were expected to get placement.
"It is my vision to conduct such events at regular intervals at the campus, where large MNCs would be able to meet their growing human capital needs by recruiting students for various positions that are open in the companies," Radhakrishnan said
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Tier II, III cities becoming viable investment options
The Tamil Nadu Government's proactive investment policy has led to the emergence of Tier II and Tier III cities as attractive investment destinations with more companies opening businesses there in the past few months, according to an analysis by the Confederation of Indian Industry-Southern Region.
Companies operating out of Tier II cities such as Coimbatore, Madurai and Tiruchi and Tier III cities such as Virudhunagar, Tuticorin, Karur, Sivagangai and Tirunelveli have doubled, or even tripled, their turnover in just two years, Sanjay Jayavarthanavelu, chairman, CII Tamil Nadu State Council, told reporters at the inauguration of Innovision 2007, a symposium on innovation in industries, on Thursday.
With Tamil Nadu in general and Chennai in particular becoming one of the most favoured investment destinations, the CII, together with the Government, was promoting Tier II and III cities as hubs for IT and manufacturing industries. For example, a city like Tiruchi had witnessed a buoyant growth with many companies touching the Rs.100-crore mark and some even exceeding Rs. 1,500 crore. Boilers, energy and fabrication units catered both to the export and import markets. The cut-flowers industry in Virudhunagar had several units doing business above the Rs. 200-crore mark annually. Many IT majors were now looking towards Tier II cities. About 40 companies had come up in Tiruchi in the past few months.
There were immense possibilities for industrial units to foster innovation in process development and services delivery, said Ajai Chowdhry, chairman and CEO, HCL Infosystems. However, the lack of an enabling research and development atmosphere in academic institutions was a major hurdle in creating innovations in industries. Only an industry-academia link could solve this.
Companies operating out of Tier II cities such as Coimbatore, Madurai and Tiruchi and Tier III cities such as Virudhunagar, Tuticorin, Karur, Sivagangai and Tirunelveli have doubled, or even tripled, their turnover in just two years, Sanjay Jayavarthanavelu, chairman, CII Tamil Nadu State Council, told reporters at the inauguration of Innovision 2007, a symposium on innovation in industries, on Thursday.
With Tamil Nadu in general and Chennai in particular becoming one of the most favoured investment destinations, the CII, together with the Government, was promoting Tier II and III cities as hubs for IT and manufacturing industries. For example, a city like Tiruchi had witnessed a buoyant growth with many companies touching the Rs.100-crore mark and some even exceeding Rs. 1,500 crore. Boilers, energy and fabrication units catered both to the export and import markets. The cut-flowers industry in Virudhunagar had several units doing business above the Rs. 200-crore mark annually. Many IT majors were now looking towards Tier II cities. About 40 companies had come up in Tiruchi in the past few months.
There were immense possibilities for industrial units to foster innovation in process development and services delivery, said Ajai Chowdhry, chairman and CEO, HCL Infosystems. However, the lack of an enabling research and development atmosphere in academic institutions was a major hurdle in creating innovations in industries. Only an industry-academia link could solve this.
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