Production to commence by mid-2014
The Coimbatore-based Roots Group signed a memorandum of understanding with the Letrika Group of Slovenia on June 8 for the setting up of a 50:50 joint venture partnership project. The partnership allows the two companies to market select starters and 
alternators for the OE and after-markets. The potential markets that the partnership will explore include farm equipment such as diesel engines, tractors, construction equipment, trucks and buses.
Construction of the LetrikaRoots manufacturing plant is currently underway and production is scheduled to commence by mid-2014. The long-term goals of the joint venture include mapping potential markets in the international arena to complement the activities of the two groups.
The Roots Group is a prominent player in the automotive horn and accessories market and has established strong market dominance both in India and abroad. The main advantages of the group are its captive tooling, product development, precision engineering and casting capabilities that allow it to take complete ownership of its products and services.
Over the last four decades, the Roots Group has rapidly diversified into new markets and product offerings, from industrial and domestic cleaning to education and healthcare. Its production facilities are located in Coimbatore, Malaysia and Russia, and marketing operations are taken care of by an efficient distributor/dealer network across the country and in strategic locations around the world.
Research and development remains a key area of focus for the group. Product improvisations as well as new product development and innovations from customer perspectives are constantly explored and pursued. This has naturally given Roots a distinct advantage in terms of design and delivery.
Letrika had devoted 50 plus years to the design and development of specific light engineering components such as engine rotating electrics, electric and mechatronic systems. These components find application in diverse areas – agricultural and construction equipment, commercial vehicles and industrial diesel engines. Letrika also manufactures several other components that find application in logistics equipment, electrical transport vehicles, electric power-assisted steering and other mechatronic assemblies for the automotive industry.
The group has seven manufacturing plants across Europe, China, Brazil and Belarus. It has direct market presence in Germany, the US, Italy, Great Britain and France. It is deeply committed to research and development and consistently invests more than four per cent of its sales revenues to R&D activities.