Injection press maker Amrut Bros. Machinery Pvt. Ltd. recently opened its second facility in India and came to NPE for the first time to explore the North American market.
The Ahmedabad, India-based company opened a second plant in January, near its first facility, to focus on production of high-capacity injection molding lines with clamping forces of 350-500 tons.
"Our second plant becomes functional about 10 kilometers away from the first site," said Hitesh Luhar, general manager of sales and marketing. "It's five times bigger in size compared to the first unit, in an area of 10,000 square meters."
Luhar said the company, which sells under the AllPlast brand name, has invested about 250 million Indian rupees ($3 million) in the second plant in Ahmedabad.
It plans to launch sales of the larger machines shortly, he said. The company makes vertical injection presses and traditionally has made machines of up to 350 tons clamping force.
The first plant at Ahmedabad produces about 20 molding machines a month, while the new plant will initially manufacture 40 machines a month, with capacity to make 60.
Luhar said NPE2024 was the first time it exhibited at the show, as it tries to expand beyond its traditional markets of Asia, the Middle East and Africa.
"The show provides us an opportunity to explore the North American market," Luhar said.
Outside of India, Amrut regularly exhibits at plastic machinery shows in Kenya, Sri Lanka and Brazil.
The company has introduced a two-color rotary hydraulic injection molding machine with two separate injection units and single clamping unit. Luhar said it focuses on low power consumption and reduced noise machinery for markets including electrical components, auto parts and home appliances.
Established in 1982, the maker of molding machines and molds believes the expansion in Ahmedabad will feed growing demand in the domestic market in India, which he said is helped by continuing anti-dumping duties on imported Chinese injection molding machines.
Luhar called for a complete embargo of imports of Chinese machines, which he said would benefit domestic suppliers.
"There is growing indifference towards Chinese injection molding machines," he said.