Japanese company Shibaura Machine India has inaugurated its second manufacturing unit in Chembarambakkam near Chennai. The company manufactures injection moulding machines used by companies that make automotive components, electrical and household furniture, packaging and medical equipment.
Shibaura invested Rs 275 million in the expansion, including Rs 50 million for the land. The expansion project (Unit 2) started in November 2022. With the new unit, Shibaura’s capacity is increased to 4,000 machines from 1,200 previously.
The company, which was earlier part of the Toshiba group, entered the Indian market with the acquisition of a 100% stake in L&T Plastics Machinery Ltd, in 2012. L&T had set up the plant in 1990. The company was later renamed as Toshiba Machine Chennai Pvt Ltd. In 2017, Shibaura Machine, Japan, « became independent of Toshiba », and the parent company’s name was changed from Toshiba to Shibaura. As a result, the Indian company was renamed as Shibaura Machine India Pvt Ltd. As such, the unit is part of two corporate giants – L&T and Toshiba.
At a press conference today, company officials said the new unit would expand Shibaura’s supplier base from about 150 suppliers to 200. Mr. Kumar, managing director of Shibaura Machine India, said the company would « add new products and increase our customer base. »