Atlas Copco unveiled its new advanced compressor manufacturing plant at Chakan, near Pune. The inauguration of the new facility was done jointly by Horst Wasel, President, Quality Air Division, Filip Vandenberghe, Managing Director, Atlas Copco (India) and Rudy Verstrepen, Vice President, Compressor Technique Operations, in the presence of Atlas Copco employees and customers.

Spread over 23 acres, the built-up area of 19,000 sq m includes a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant and an office building, in addition to a well-equipped canteen and other employee amenities. The factory is built in accordance with LEED principles. The new facility will manufacture industrial and portable compressors.

Set up with an investment of Rs 100 crore, the new plant will have six production lines for compressors, three each for use in construction and general industry sector and make customised products of 40 variants. As of now, these products will be designed for domestic market to fulfill the customer demand within the country. However, the company could also consider export to other countries later, according to the requirement.

Addressing the inaugural function, Wasel, said, "This new facility has been built to lean manufacturing principles. The Group continues its focus on India, and we are proud to inaugurate this new facility today. This factory will help increase efficiencies, and further support business expansion in India, and also serves customers in India and abroad." He all praised the efforts taken by the team to setting up such an innovative facility. "This plant is mainly set up to fulfil the growing customer demand and support the overall productivity," he says adding, "This facility is setting standards of the future."

Atlas Copco also celebrates 140 years of history across offices and manufacturing facilities around the globe. "Celebrating 140 years is a fantastic opportunity to strengthen customer focus and relations further, to translate our values into daily activities, and to capture synergies," said Vandenberghe. "It is a great occasion to create pride among employees and to make them enthusiastic about future opportunities. Our history guarantees long-term industrial experience as well as innovative products and solutions to current and new customers, to suppliers as well as to current and future employees," he adds. The new facility has been set up in 18 months with zero accident reported during the period, according to the company. Vandenberghe termed the new plant as the most advanced compressor plant of Atlas Copco in the world. "It has everything in it to become the benchmark of Atlas Copco," he said

Started operations in 1960, Atlas Copco India has leading positions in compressor technique, industrial technique, mining and rock excavation technique, construction technique, to related aftermarket and rental. With state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities at Pune, Nashik and Hyderabad, the company has a national presence with over 2,500 highly skilled employees in 22 offices across India, the registered office being at Pune.

Manufacturing plants at Pune and Nashik are ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified. In addition, the company has two engineering centres for compressors and construction and mining equipment.

Atlas Copco's Compressor Technique business area provides industrial compressors, gas and process compressors and expanders, air and gas treatment equipment and air management systems. It has a global service network and offers speciality rental services. Compressor Technique innovates for sustainable productivity in the manufacturing, oil and gas, and process industries. Principal product development and manufacturing units are located in Belgium, Germany, the US, China and India.