Manatec is among the well-established brands of garage servicing equipment in the country. Started in a small way around 20 years ago, the company has grown by leaps and bounds, driven as it is by indigenous technology. The company has been able to maintain a steady growth even during the recessionary phase in the automotive industry because of its technological excellence and sustained R&D; efforts.
In an informal chat with MOTORINDIA at the recent CII (SR) annual session in Chennai, Mr. R. Mananathan, Managing Director of Manatec Electronics Private Ltd., said he is really proud of being an Indian as he could make his products based on Indian technology popular worldwide despite stiff competition from overseas manufacturers.
In fact, there are only a very few Indian manufacturers of garage equipment. Manatec’s strength lies in the fact that right from the beginning, it has been focusing on indigenous technology of world standard. This has enabled it not only to keep afloat in this competitive field but also emerge successful.
He said the company’s performance in 2007-08 was quite satisfactory, with a turnover of Rs. 38 crores. It targets a turnover of Rs. 60 crores for the current year and Rs. 100 crores by 2010. Over one-third of the total turnover is earmarked for export.
Further, Manatec is setting up a new state-of-the-art plant in Pondicherry at an investment outlay of Rs. 10 crores. Commercial production at this plant is expected to commence by the year end. The new plant would help bring the company’s manufacturing operations in Pondicherry under one roof.