Heat and Control opens a new manufacturing facility in Chennai, India

Equipment manufacturer Heat and Control has opened a new manufacturing facility in Chennai, India, which has a manufacturing area of over 11,800m2 (the equivalent of over one and a half soccer fields), making it one of the company’s largest facilities around the world.

Building on a foundation of 35 years supporting the India market, Heat and Control has invested in a new, purpose built facility at Mahindra World City. The company first established a sales office in Chennai 20 years ago but Heat and Control's growing team and customer base, as well as a decision to begin local manufacturing, made a larger site necessary.

Tony Caridis – President, Heat and Control Inc.:

“Heat and Control’s global strategy is to grow our business in areas where we will make a positive difference to our customers.”

“Our recent operational investment in India reinforces the local facility and represents a strong commitment to provide direct access to our manufactured equipment, expertise, and support.”

“I congratulate the amazing Heat and Control team that has worked hard to make this project a reality.”

Built in the Mahindra World City – a new purpose-built business hub just 65km from the centre of Chennai – the facility encompasses a modern technical centre and office space of 2500m2.

Mahindra World City, Chennai is India's first operational Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and India's first Integrated Business City. Built on the model of sustainable urbanisation Mahindra World City has grown from a bed of business, infrastructure and sustainable practices before evolving into a completely integrated city and is now a mature business district with leading companies such as Infosys, BMW, Braun, Renault-Nissan, Lincoln Electric, among others having set up within its premises.

Manoj Paul – General Manager, South Asia:

“We are extremely excited about the opening of our new manufacturing and office facility in Chennai.”

“This facility is outfitted with the same cutting-edge technology as all Heat and Control manufacturing sites, and it is well positioned to service our existing and new customers with advanced manufacturing equipment and techniques.”

The facility, which has the latest manufacturing equipment such as laser cutting technology, sheet metal machinery and bead blasting technology, incorporates energy efficiency standards replicated from Heat and Control’s global manufacturing facilities.

The technical centre, which will be operational by the end of 2017 will cover an area of over 750m2, allowing customers to test new products and production techniques with guidance from on-site food technologists and engineers.

To showcase the workmanship and quality, the technical centre will have equipment manufactured in the new facility. A showroom will also display a range of Heat and Control equipment.

Both the technical centre and showroom will be operational from 2017.

First off the manufacturing line at the new Chennai facility will be a range of snack processing equipment.

Manoj Paul:

“We already have orders for Namkeen lines and potato chip production lines, which incorporate our HeatWave® Fryer and Mastermatic® range of fryers.”

“And the pipeline of projects looks very promising. We will be servicing a very wide region, which not only covers the Indian subcontinent but also extends across Asia.”

“This will position Heat and Control with an even greater foothold in the global food production market.”

Around 100 people from a range of departments, including sales, service, manufacturing and engineering will be located at the new site, with capacity to increase to around 200 personnel in the future.

Jim Strang, Chief Executive Officer of Heat and Control’s International operations, sees the new facility as a way to serve the ever-increasing developing markets in the region, whilst also supporting the company’s other manufacturing operations in the USA, Australia and China.

Jim Strang, Chief Executive Officer of Heat and Control’s International operations:

“We are continuously growing and moving into new markets. Our customers are constantly developing new products to cater for evolving consumer tastes and trends.”

“This facility will allow us to align ourselves with our increasing customer base in Asia and will also allow collaboration on projects with our International teams.”

Heat and Control’s Chennai facility is easily accessible by air and road, with Chennai International Airport only 35km away and a highway which connects the business district with the centre of Chennai. The Chennai port is a distance of 55km away.