Tenneco opens new plant at Chakan

Pune, October 15, 2013: Tenneco Inc has announced the opening of a new manufacturing facility in Chakan near Pune. The 13,000 square metre facility, which is located close to key customers in the Pune region including Volkswagen India, General Motors India, Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra, will produce emission control products and systems and supply ride performance products on a just-in-time (JIT) basis. The Chakan facility is Tenneco’s sixth manufacturing location in India. Mahesh Kodumudi, president and managing director, Volkswagen India and members of Tenneco’s senior management inaugurated the facility during a ceremony earlier today.

“We are proud of this facility with its state-of-the art manufacturing processes and capabilities and efficient production lines,” said Hari Nair, chief operating officer, Tenneco. “Our investment here reflects Tenneco’s commitment to India and our plans for continued growth in this dynamic market, in both the automotive and commercial vehicle industries.”

The Chakan facility is equipped with the latest converter canning technology, robotic welding and assembly and highly automated muffler manufacturing lines. The facility also has a modular assembly line for ride performance products which it supplies to Pune-based OEMs. It also supplies clean air products to commercial vehicle customers SML Isuzu and Ag Tractors.

The Chakan plant has a production capacity of over 2,500 exhaust systems a day. The company has plans to establish Chakan as the Indian hub for developing and testing technologies for India-specific clean air programs.

Sagar Hemade, managing director, Tenneco India, said: “We have the expertise and advanced technologies to meet the increasing demand from our customers for advanced aftertreatment systems to comply with stricter emissions regulations, which are driving growth here in India.”

Tenneco currently employs over 350 people in Chakan. “We expect that number to increase as we grow our operations, including adding engineering capabilities, and continue to win new business,” Hemade added.