Same Deutz-Fahr group to expand India facility

Italy based Same Duetz-Fahr group (SDF), a leading global manufacturer of agricultural machinery, will be expanding its production base in India.

Addressing presspersons here after launching its premium brand Deutz-Fahr, Francesco Carozza, Chairman, Same Deutz-Fahr India, said the current installed capacity at the company’s plant located in Ranipet (Tamil Nadu) where the group was producing tractors of 40-70 hp and 3 and 4 cylinder engines was 6,300 units and 15,000 units respectively. These would be increased to 11,000 and 20,000 respectively by 2011. In 2008, the total tractor production in Ranipet rose by 28 per cent to 4,000 units, he said.

The group plans to introduce a 65-75 hp platform with a Tier III specification engines for the export markets.

According to Shripad Shidore, Managing Director of the Indian company, the localisation process of the 50-70 hp tractor platform was completed in 2008. Initially these tractors were produced exclusively for the export markets in Europe, the U.S. the Middle East and Africa and the company would now produce these tractors for the Indian market under the Deutz-Fahr brand.

The thrust on agriculture, combined with the growing demand for modern technology, provided an opportunity for SDF to introduce its premium German brand, Deuts-Fahr tractors in India.

This brand, targeted at progressive farmers, would strengthen SDF’s position where the group would continue to sell its current products in 40-60 hp range under the Same brand, Mr. Shidore said.