Maxion Wheels, the world’s largest wheel manufacturer, held a ground breaking ceremony (Bhoomi Poojan) on the future site of its 25,000 square meters plant in Khed City, Pune. Hundreds of guests, including company dignitaries, customers, suppliers and associates attended the traditional Hindu event, which included a plaque unveiling and traditional ground breaking ritual.

During his ceremony speech, Maxion Wheels’ Chief Executive Officer, Pieter Klinkers remarked on the significance of the event, “With our new Pune passenger car aluminum wheel plant, Maxion Wheels becomes the first global light vehicle aluminum wheel producer in the Indian market. We responded to our growing global customers’ requests, and made the investment to join them in the world’s fastest-growing economy. When our project is complete, we will produce four million aluminum wheels annually. In this first phase, an investment of more than $ 50 million will be spent on the land and state-of-the-art plant and equipment for the manufacturing of two million wheels annually. Start of production is expected in the third quarter of 2019.”

The new wholly-owned operation, expected to initially bring more than 1,000 new direct and indirect jobs to the region, will produce low pressure die cast aluminum wheels with a high-end wheel finish.