Mr. P.V. Balasubramaniam, Director & CEO of York Group, Singapore, said: “The Indian transport industry has not yet been exposed to the range of axles and suspensions available globally for efficient transportation of goods on trailers. The industry is emerging well now out of the twelve months of recession. The trailer industry is witnessing a tremendous growth, and some of the customers who have seen or aware of York’s range of products have been demanding special products for movement of ODC as well as for off-road mining sectors. They have also shown great interest in York’s air suspensions”.
Presently York has a capacity to manufacture 24,000 axles per annum in India. The company is now busy expanding its capacity by three times, going up to 100,000 axles per annum. India, in the next three years, would be the largest facility for York and some of its products could be exported to its other markets. York is investing $10 million on this new facility and is also planning to set up an R&D;, engineering and testing facility as part of the new manufacturing facility.
York Transport Equipment (Asia) is part of the York Group of companies headquartered now in Singapore. The group traces its origin to York Trailers, UK, which then was one of the largest and reputed manufacturers of trailers and axles in Europe.
York’s presence in Asia Pacific started in 1985 when York Australia was set up in Melbourne to gain a foothold in Australia for axles and suspensions for trailer applications. It also acquired Macteco, an Australian mechanical suspension manufacturer. Later in 1989, York Transport Equipment (Asia) was set up in Singapore to expand its base in the fast growing Asia Pacific region.
Since October 1, 2007, York is part of the Tata Group, since TRF Ltd., a Tata enterprise, acquired majority share-holding in the company. After acquisition by the Tata Group, York has strengthened its Engineering and Design Centre for product improvements as well as new products development.
York specialises in design, manufacture and supply of axles, suspensions and other components for trailer applications. The product range covers axles from 12T to 17.5T in square as well as round beams, mechanical suspensions, air suspensions, landing legs, couplers, wheel rims, etc. York facilities are ISO 9001 certified.
York products are certified to various EEC standards and have compliance approvals with Australian Design Rules (ADR). York was awarded the first road-friendly suspension certificate for the new year regulations in Australia.
The new products launched in the Indian market would cater to mining, port, off-road and ODC cargo operators to carry heavier loads. The air suspensions are specially designed for fleets transporting oil and gas, petroleum products, industrial gases, fragile goods, and pharmaceutical goods. Demand for these products is increasing with the growing awareness of fleet operators to use reliable, maintenance free and more appropriate products for various applications.
York has now set up warehouses in Jamshedpur, which is in operation, and another one in Panvel, Mumbai, which will start functioning by February 2010. York is also setting up its service network and spare parts network across the country. A training centre will also be set up in Panvel for training of mechanics on servicing of York products.
“We are working closely with the fleet operators who transport special cargoes and offer them most suitable solutions. We would also address to their service need by training as well as doing service campaigns at their workshops”, Mr. Balasubramaniam said.
