The series production of Hamm's new Type 311 single-drum compactors is successfully in progress in the new plant.

Wirtgen India, a 100 per cent subsidiary of Wirtgen Group, has commenced its new production facility at Bhandgaon, near Pune. The company's new factory in Pune comprises a 2,700 sq m administration centre and training building alongside a 3,600 sq m factory, built to the same standard as Wirtgen Group's production facilities in Germany. It includes a shot blasting system, a paint facility and a spare parts depot, while machines are assembled on a 60 m long production line, equipped with overhead cranes, with a load bearing capacity of 10 tonne each and supported by slewing pillar cranes.

"We're at the beginning of a major success story in India. The country will make its way in the world just like the other emerging markets in Brazil and China. And all brands of the Wirtgen Group will profit strongly from the market success because we have made timely investments in a local production facility and have already been present in India for decades," said Stefan Wirtgen, President, Wirtgen Group.

The new training centre at Wirtgen India is equipped with high-end multimedia system, two generously dimensioned training rooms, each one large enough to carry out training directly on a Wirtgen surface miner or a large V?gele asphalt paver. The facility also has a test track to train operators in asphalt paving. Wirtgen India has also invested in a new highly advanced workshop, where as many as four machines can be overhauled simultaneously. The spares depot covers a floor space of 600 sq m, from where spare parts are supplied to all the regional offices as well as directly from Pune.

"The series production of Hamm's new Type 311 single-drum compactors is successfully in progress. With the Hamm 311, we have developed a model that is designed specifically for the Indian market. This single-drum compactor corresponds to the high standards of quality of the Wirtgen Group, but is manufactured locally so that the pricing allows us to prevail on this highly competitive market," said Ramesh Palagiri, Managing Director, Wirtgen India. The 11 tonne single-drum compactor for earthworks is a high-performance compactor that caters perfectly to the customary bidding requirements in India. A team of engineers and technicians from India and Germany developed the product and established and qualified a new logistics chain onsite in Pune that ensures that the production line is supplied with high-quality components," said Ramesh Palagiri. The vibratory compactor is available in three variants: in the standard version with rear-axle drive as the "311" model, the "311D" model with additional driven drums and the "311P" model with pad foot drums. The three-point pendulum articulated joint gives the machine excellent driving and steering characteristics, as well as unsurpassed directional stability. In addition, there is a modern display to simplify operation and keep the driver informed about the machine's condition, Ramesh explained.

Wirtgen Group headquartered in Germany is the world's No 1, in the field of mobile road construction and rehabilitation equipment. The group of companies presents itself with its strong core brands of German origin - Wirtgen, V?gele and Hamm in Wirtgen Group's road technologies line of business and with the renowned Kleemann brand in the Wirtgen Group mineral technologies line of business. The Wirtgen Group already has maintained a strong presence in India since 1995 with local sales and service centres in Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad and Guwahati.