To signal the start of construction, a ground-breaking ceremony was held in the planned area of construction on February 16 in the Mahindra World City industrial area near Chennai.
A large number of guests were invited to the ceremony, including Japanese Consul-general of Chennai Mr. Minagawa and the Branch Manager of the JETRO Chennai office. A ground-breaking ceremony and traditional Indian Puja (a form of prayer) was conducted in front of approximately 40 guests to wish for safe construction of the plant and trouble-free launch of operations. The Consul-general offered his congratulations as he welcomed the construction of the NTN plant following the tight supply of parts amidst the rapid growth of the automotive market in India.
NTN already produces CVJs at its Bawal Plant in northern India. The Chennai Plant is the 2nd plant that NTN will establish and operate in India, where unprecedented economic growth and greater demand for vehicles show signs of continuing. The plant will be used to increase production of CVJs and start production of new 3rd generation hub bearings for automotive manufacturers located in the southern region of India.
<Outline of the New Plant>
| (1) | Plant name | NNMI Chennai Plant | |
| (2) | Location | Plot No. P48/1, Domestic Tariff Area, Mahindra World City, Chengelpet Taluk, Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu-603 002. India | |
| (3) | Business | Manufacture and sales of constant velocity joints (CVJs) and 3rd generation hub bearings | |
| (4) | Start of production | April 2012 | |
| (5) | Site area | Approximately 41,000m2 | |
| (6) | Total floor area |
Approximately 11,000m2
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