Valvoline Cummins Limited, a joint venture formed in 1998 between Ashland Inc. and Cummins India Limited, has announced the opening of a new manufacturing and packaging plant in the Ambernath Industrial Area, near Mumbai. The new facility will produce ValvolineTM automotive lubricants for the consumer, industrial and heavy-duty markets. Built on 10 acres, the new $30 million plant expands the Valvoline brand's in-house production capabilities. It also enhances the brand's ability to deliver fast, localized technical services to customers in India, South Asia and other nearby countries. Initial production capacity of the plant is 120 million liters per year with future capacity of 150 million liters. Current blend lines include simultaneous measuring and blending as well as automated batch blending and oil products produced include engine, gear, hydraulic, industrial and transmission. "Western India is a manufacturing hub that has the largest consumption of industrial lubricants among all regions," said Sam Mitchell, president of Ashland Consumer Markets, a commercial unit of Ashland Inc. and the producer of Valvoline branded products. "We are excited about the growth opportunities provided by this new manufacturing and packaging facility. We believe that investing in technology and innovation helps deliver what our customers need - a competitive advantage in a growing market." "Our customers know that the Valvoline brand stands for superb performance and reliability, and they trust us to provide the most consistent, high-quality lubricants and technological innovations available," said Naveen Gupta, managing director of Valvoline Cummins Limited. "Our new manufacturing facility will play a major role in these efforts and will expand our in-house, local production capabilities to meet the growing needs of regional customers." "We are thrilled about the new facility opening and we are looking forward to our continued growth in the Indian market," said Sandeep Kalia, CEO of Valvoline Cummins Limited. "The new plant will enable us to provide our customers with additional innovative solutions and products to improve business results. Through this project, Cummins and Valvoline are once again partnering to provide valuable solutions for our customers." Valvoline Cummins Limited recently opened the Valvoline Lube Station, a new Valvoline lubricant training center at the Cummins Sales and Service Tech Center in Pune. Cummins engineers and technicians receive on-site training including all aspects of engine lubrication and maintenance. Participants learn why and how Valvoline Premium BlueTM diesel oil is approved, recommended and endorsed by Cummins for commercial fleet vehicles; and learn hands on with an exhibit hall, models of lubricated engines and interactive information kiosks. Valvoline Cummins Limited is one of India's fastest growing lubricant marketers and producer of quality branded automotive and industrial products. The Valvoline and Cummins brands have a long history of working together to deliver innovative products to customers including joint engine test development, specialized testing to evaluate critical component wear and corrosion, joint modeling work on future engine design, and proprietary testing methodology to demonstrate fuel economy. International joint ventures include Argentina, Brazil, China and India.