23.07.2018

Potain moves Indian production

Manitowoc has moved its Indian production facility for Potain tower cranes from Pune, to a smaller more modern plant in Chakan, western India.

The Potain plant in Pune was opened in 2007, and produces five tonne MCT 85 and six tonne MC 125 cranes for customers in India and surrounding markets such as Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal. The new Chakan facility has a production area of 9,760 square metres, and while its manufacturing footprint is only two thirds the size of the Pune facility, it is said to have the same production capacity. Among the improvements at the new plant are a new paint shop and shot blasting machine cells.
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The new location in India

Manitowoc says that the time to transport materials from the assembly area to the finished goods yard is reduced by 68 percent. The company also says that being situated in Chakan offers better connections to national highways, and is closer to Mumbai from where Potain cranes are exported.
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Aaron Ravenscroft of Manitowoc/Potain meets employees at the new factory

Senior vice president for the Middle East and India David Semple said: “We are focused on developing and executing lean strategies to improve efficiency, profitability, and value. Our customers will benefit from the faster delivery times and enhanced quality, while our employees can feel proud to work at one of the most advanced tower crane factories in Asia. Potain has long been a market leader in India and we want to ensure that continues, so opening this factory is an important step.”

“The majority of cranes manufactured in Chakan, will be sold in India. But we will also serve neighbouring markets such as Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal. All of our customers will benefit from the faster deliveries and enhanced quality of Potain cranes in this region.”
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A shot of the outside of the new factory