Global pumps player C.R.I. Pumps Pvt. Ltd. enters the non-metallic high-end pipes segment, investing around Rs.120 crore.
 
It will manufacture uPVC and CPVC pipes, designed with higher durability to provide an efficient pumping and plumbing system at its two state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Gandhinagar and Hosur, the company said.
 
Gandhinagar in Gujarat that will cater to the western, northern and central markets, and Hosur in Tamil Nadu that will cater to the southern and eastern markets, are expected to commence full-fledged commercial operations soon.  The Gandhinagar plant has successfully test-marketed its products.
 
Commenting on this occasion, G. Soundararajan, Vice Chairman of the company said, “As part of VISION 2020, we have fixed on achieving an annual turnover of Rs. 5,000 crore by the end of 2020.  To achieve this, we planned to rapidly diversify and add more products to our existing line.  Even in an adverse market situation, C.R.I. has grown around 20 per cent compared to the previous year to achieve the highest growth in the organized Indian pump sector in the financial year 2014-15.”
 
He added that as part of its diversification process, the first product that the company decided on introducing was pipes.  C.R.I., with a mission to provide a one-stop fluid management solution, would now shift its focus to becoming a provider of an entire pumping system.  The contribution of pipes in the total investment of a pumping system is much higher and even more than double that of the pumpset itself.
 
From an initial manufacturing capacity of 15,000 MTA C.R.I. is planning to expand the capacity in the coming years and with the existing established network target around 10 per cent market share in the years to come.