2012 marks the 50th year of TIL?s Kamarhatty manufacturing plant, a memorable landmark for TIL.

Fifty years ago in 1962, a 10 T crane rolled out of TIL?s Kamarhatty plant. It was a milestone for TIL (then called Tractors India), as the company, after beginning as a Caterpillar dealer in 1944, ventured into manufacturing for the first time in 1962. The 10 T crane, India?s first indigenously built model, the roll- out reaffirmed the growing image of Indian engineering capability.

Sumit Mazumder, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, TIL said, ?The 50th Anniversary of our Kamarhatty manufacturing plant adds a great deal to the credibility of an organisation as it signifies longevity, perseverance and resilience. Our longevity is a testament to the unwavering spirit of team- TIL. TIL?s manufacturing strategy stands for quality, reliability and safety and our technology partnership with the world leaders, Manitowoc and Grove reaffirm our commitment to always provide best in class products and services to our customers.?

He further added, ?One important aspect of the journey of TIL over the years has been the cordial relationship between the management and the work-force.This relationship is nurtured on mutual trust and respect. In fact it is hard to find a similar example of industrial relation in the industrial landscape of West Bengal.?

Regarding the manufacturing plant?s future plans, Mazumder added that although TIL is now expanding and have already inaugurated and laid the foundation stone at Changual and Vidyasagar respectively, where work was going full steam ahead, the Kamarhatty factory remained the flagship plant. ?Here we intend to increase the productivity further, implement low cost automation, and bring in more innovative design and R&D to make our products more competitive vis-a-vis Chinese competition.?

TIL?s Kamarhatty factory started operations in 1962, the first and only purpose-built tyre-mounted mobile crane factory in India, and the 10 T diesel electric version crane was the forerunner to more than 5,000 cranes, that have since come out of TIL?s Kamarhatty plant. On an average, the factory has introduced a new crane model once in every 18 months. Recently, the plant rolled out a five-axle truck crane 75 T truck-mounted crane - indigenously built in a record of 90 days.

In addition, the factory has manufactured a wide range of specialised equipment for India?s defence sector. In early 2000, TIL worked as an industrial partner for DRDO (Defence Research & Development Organisation) for the development of various types of highly customised equipment for the Ministry of Defence including the AFFS (Amphibious Floating Bridge and Ferry System), in association with R&DE(E) (Research & Development Establishment) in 2003. This amphibious vehicle was developed at TIL Kamarhatty Works within a record time of 18 months from concept to trial and is considered to be a landmark event in the history of indigenous development of defence equipment.

The TIL plant at Kamarhatty is also manufacturing Hyster brand reachstackers in collaboration with Nacco Materials Handling Group. This product has gone into production in full swing in last year and TIL had a record production of this highly efficient machine which is gaining great acceptance among users.