Chennai: Glass major Saint Gobain on Monday inaugurated three key facilities, including a third float glass manufacturing plant at its Sriperambudur factory near here. This expansion involves an overall investment of '1,200 crore and would meet the growing demand of both the domestic and international glass markets, the company said.
Inaugurating the new facilities, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami recalled that while launching its second float glass plant during her term as CM in 2006, Jayalalithaa had expressed confidence of the company’s growth over the years. Her prediction had come true, Palaniswami noted, adding, “I am happy that it has committed more in Tamil Nadu among its global investments”. Besides, said he, the company in the just concluded Global Investors Meet committed had committed further investment of '750 crore in the state.
Saint Gobain said the facilities now launched at its ‘World Glass Complex’ were the firm’s third float glass manufacturing unit, an advanced magnetron coater and glass solutions line and a 72 million litre capacity rainwater harvesting reservoir. These initiatives would take the company’s cumulative investment here to over '3,000 crore, it said.
As one of the fastest growing economies in the world, India was an important market and investment destination for Saint-Gobain, Pierre-Andre de Chalendar, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Compagnie de Saint-Gobain, France, said.
Over the past two decades the company has consistently invested in developing new markets, new world-class manufacturing facilities and technology and human capital, he said.
The company’s earlier investment in Saint-Gobain Research India, located here, was aimed at developing innovative solutions, not only for markets such as India, but also for the world, he said, adding that India “has consistently encouraged and supported us”.
“Our products are well accepted, our businesses have leadership positions.. the brand recall of Saint-Gobain in India is as good as that in France. Indeed, we are as much an Indian company as we are French,” he said.
Anand Y Mahajan, Chairman, Saint-Gobain India Private Ltd, said the company has endeavoured to develop the markets in India by bringing the best technologies and building world class manufacturing facilities in line with the Government’s ‘Make in India’ mission.
According to the company, the third float glass plant will be the ‘largest’ in India and the region and is equipped to manufacture a wide range of complex products that cater to the needs of sustainable habitats and affordable luxury.
