Shibaura Machine India (SMI), a subsidiary of Japan's Shibaura Machine, the leading global manufacturer of high-precision injection moulding machines, has inaugurated its Unit 2 factory in Chembarambakkam, Chennai. This new facility, built with an investment of Rs 2.25 billion, is set to significantly expand SMI's manufacturing capacity.

SMI's Chembarambakkam facility currently produces around 1,200 injection moulding machines and auxiliary equipment annually, serving a wide range of industries including automotive, electrical, household & furniture, material handling, medical, packaging, PVC, toys, and writing instruments. With the new factory, SMI aims to increase its manufacturing capacity to 4,000 units per year in a phased manner, enhancing its reach across India and over 45 countries in North America, the Middle East, Africa, and the SAARC region.

SMI began its operations in 2012 by acquiring the plastics machinery business of Larsen & Toubro, which was established in 1990. The foundation stone for the new 11-acre facility adjacent to the existing plant was laid in November 2022. Over the next 3-4 years, SMI expects to create new jobs and develop approximately 50 MSME vendors to support the expansion.

The new Unit 2 factory features:

- A technical demo centre to showcase products in operational conditions.

- A clean, fully air-conditioned factory for producing electric injection moulding machines with the latest technology.

- Green-certified infrastructure with rooftop solar and other energy-saving systems.

- A state-of-the-art painting facility emphasising high human safety.

- High load capacity and ceiling height for producing extra-large injection moulding machines up to 3,500 tonnes.

- Flexibility to produce various machines in response to market changes.

Shigetomo Sakamoto, President, Shibaura Machine Group, Japan, said, "India is a strategic investment destination with a growing market for our products and a skilled workforce. The partnership between our teams in Japan and India has led to significant advancements in manufacturing processes and production capabilities, quickly bringing the latest Japanese technology to market. SMI has received the prestigious Shibaura Machine's President Award for its performance and innovation, winning twice in three years. We are committed to the 'Make in India' program, and our new factory will double production capacity and advance material technology, control, mechatronics, and IoT in our Indian operations."

M. Kumar, Managing Director, SMI, added, "As we celebrate this inauguration, we acknowledge the trust and support from our parent company, Shibaura Machine Co., LTD. Since starting operations in 2012, SMI has improved manufacturing processes, increased production capacity from 600 to 1,200 machines annually, and tripled sales revenue. We achieved significant milestones, selling our 10,000th machine in 2019 and 14,000th machine in October 2023. With this new investment, we will continue to grow our capacity and team, expand our product range, and increase our customer base, meeting stringent standards of importing countries such as the USA, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, South & Southeast Asia."

Shibaura Machine Group, founded in 1938, has been a market leader in high precision injection moulding machines. Its extensive product portfolio includes die casting machines, extrusion machines, machine tools, industrial robots, and more. The company began manufacturing in India in 2012, acquiring a 100% stake in L&T Plastics Machinery Limited and later rebranding as Shibaura Machine India Private Limited in 2020.

(Source: ANI)