Experts check the new equipment at Oracle Auto Private Limited in Adityapur. Picture by SrinivasHaving completed its Rs 18-crore modernisation plans, Adityapur-based Oracle Auto Private Limited (OAPL) — a unit of Auto Profile Private Limited — is ready to try the offshore auto component market with its latest product.

Company officials said that they have invested Rs 5 crore in importing the latest CNC spin forming machine, giving them an edge over other manufacturers across the globe.

Managing director of OAPL Bikash Mukherjee claimed that only two equipment manufacturers in the world were equipped to provide this machine. “We imported this machine from Germany-based Lefield, which is considered to be the master of the technology. This equipment would help us in manufacturing pulleys, an important part of the cooling system, used in engines,” said Mukherjee.

Though the earlier pulley was made of cast metals, the manufacturer can now provide sheet metal-based products to customers, thanks to the new technology. The new pulley would be more efficient and lighter in weight.

Apart from engines used in various light and heavy four-wheelers, the pulley can also be used in generator sets equipped with engines.

“Presently, almost all the automobile manufacturers in the country would be forced to import this pulley. Since we are developing it here it would be much cheaper than what is being imported at present,” said a company official.

Sources said that Tata Motors and Tata Cummins — ancillary units of the commercial vehicle manufacturers — would be the first customers of the company. With the new technology, the company proposes to manufacture around 30,000 pulleys per day.

“We have also completed our proposed modernisation and expansion plan for 2008-09. We have invested around Rs 18 crore in modernising the machines and equipment,” added Mukherjee.

“The automobile sector has a cyclical business and the situation is not going to remain like this for long. The demand for the product is soon going to rise and this is the right time for industrial units to invest in their plant and machinery as they can expect a better deal during this recession,” claimed Mukherjee.

The turnover of the company is expected to be Rs 65-70 crore this financial year.

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