BERLIN: The acquisition will enable Durr to expand its portfolio of cleaning systems in India, thus covering the entire range – from entry-level cleaning machines to high-end-systems
As a part of its strategy to expand its cleaning technology business in India, Durr AG, the German mechanical and plant engineering firm, has acquired its Indian supplier Mhitraa Engineering Equipment, the Chennai-based specialist in industrial cleaning systems. Mhitraa has close supplier relations with automotive and motorcycle manufacturers as well as engine suppliers in India.
The automotive industry uses industrial cleaning systems to clean workpieces such as engine and transmission components in the production process. With the Durr Ecoclean Group, Durr’s measuring and process systems division is one of the leading global players in cleaning technology, achieving sales of around Euro 200 million in this market segment. The acquisition of Mhitraa rounds off its cleaning technology portfolio. While Durr Ecoclean mainly serves the mid to high-end price and technology segment, Mhitraa, on the other hand, offers systems for the entry-level segment, which is particularly important in India.
Mhitraa has around 60 employees and achieves sales in the single-digit million euro range. Since its foundation in 1988, the company has installed more than 500 cleaning systems in India.
Dr Ralf-Michael Fuchs, CEO of Carl Schenck AG and head of Durr’s measuring and process systems division, stated, “Schenck has had a presence in India since 1987 with a production company for balancing machines. The acquisition of Mhitraa enables us to expand our portfolio of cleaning systems for the Indian market, thus covering the entire range – from entry-level cleaning machines to high-end-systems.”
Experts predict that automotive production in India will grow by an average of 10 percent per year until 2019. In 2015, car production volumes are expected to reach the 4 million mark for the first time. Ralf Dieter, CEO of Durr AG, commented, “After some difficult years, the Indian economy is at the beginning of a new upswing. This will also benefit automotive sales. Our wide range of products and services will enable us to support the automotive industry in India efficiently throughout its expansion.”
