Linamar Corporation is a diversified global manufacturing company of highly engineered products. Incorporated in Ontario in 1966, the Canadian company is made up of two operating segments, namely, the powertrain or driveline segment and the industrial segment which are further divided into four key divisions – manufacturing, driveline, industrial commercial energy (ICE) and Skyjack. All of them are world leaders in design, development and production of highly-engineered products.
The company’s manufacturing and driveline divisions focus on precision metallic components, modules and systems for engine, transmission and driveline systems designed for passenger vehicle markets. The ICE Group concentrates on similar products for on- and off-highway vehicle, energy and other industrial markets. Its Skyjack division is noted for its innovative, high-quality mobile industrial equipment like aerial work platforms and telehandlers.
With more than 18,000 employees in 44 manufacturing locations, five R&D centres and 15 sales offices in 12 countries in North America, Europe and Asia, Linamar generated sales of more than $3.5 Billion in 2013.
Speaking about Linamar’s global presence, Mr. Amitava Sinha, Managing Director, Linamar India Pvt. Ltd., said: “We are a global multinational company with revenue of $3.5 Billion (Canadian Dollar), catering to the passenger car and commercial vehicle segments. Our global footprint was initially focused on North America which was later expanded to Europe and Asia. We have 30 plants in the North American region, 11 in Europe, and now in Asia we have three plants.”
Referring to the company’s Indian operations, Mr. Sinha said: “In August last year, we had set up a new greenfield facility at Chakan, Pune, as a fully-owned subsidiary of Linamar Corporation. We will be starting with differential case machining and complete assemblies. The plant is nearing completion with the machineries set to be installed shortly. We will start trial production from June this year and will initially cater to passenger cars and LCVs and also focus on commercial vehicles.” The company is keen on partnering with leading automobile companies like Tata Motors, Mahindra and Daimler in the Indian market. The Indian entity has a workforce of 32 employees and will cater only to the domestic market to begin with.
Linamar, with a significant portion of its business coming from the commercial vehicle segment globally, has been catering to international auto majors such as Navistar and Volvo.