Kamal Bells increases bonding with Leyland

Kamal Bells has received orders from ITA Falcon Power, an aftermarket company in the US, for supply of sheet metal parts to trucks and cars. The first batch of three components has already been validated and volumes will be around 50,000 units each, said CEO of the Bangalore-based Kamal Bells, Nirmala S Murthy.

This will mark the company’s debut in direct exports which has been confined thus far to Ashok Leyland’s components sourcing business unit that, in turn, eventually exports to different destinations. Consequently, share of exports in turnover will double to 35 percent next year with more orders coming from ITA Falcon.

NEW FACILITY

To be able to meet the growing needs of Ashok Leyland as well as its export obligations, Kamal Bells will set up a new plant in Bommasandra Industrial Area, which is close to Leyland’s Hosur unit. Murthy said it would be commissioned in January 2008 and would also cater to Caterpillar in Hosur.

She added that the company would invest Rs 18 crore in the new facility. Apart from increasing the capacity of the press three-fold to 500 tonnes, CNC bending, shearing and laser machines will also be installed.

As for Leyland, Kamal Bells has graduated to becoming a sub-assemblies maker from a supplier of sheet metal parts. It makes chassis and engine related parts like mountings, camshaft plates, nozzle holders etc for the company.

According to Murthy, Kamal Bells has developed over 200 parts for Leyland and is working on 21 new ones for the vehicles to be hauled by the J-series engines. It will supply small systems and subassemblies like pedal mounting brackets.

The company could become a kit supplier to Leyland where it will source parts and bought out items. Kamal Bells, which supplies to the Vehicle Factory in Jabalpur, has on its radar Tatra Vectra and non-auto customers.

T MURRALI