Funskool starts second mfg unit in Chennai

Chennai: Toy manufacturer Funskool India promoted by the MRF Group, has commenced operation of its second manufacturing facility at Ranipet near here giving a boost to exports, according to a top official.

The plant spread across 61,000 sft land is located at the State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu (SIPCOT) complex in Ranipet, about 120 kms from here.

According to the CEO, John Baby, the company would focus more on serving the overseas markets from the facility given the accessibility to Chennai port and other infrastructure availability.

"With an investment of Rs 25 crore in the plant and equipment, the new facility is focused on automation and is ergonomically designed and equipped with special features like heat resistant roof," he said.

Noting that the company has been making exports from its facility at Goa, he said the logistics cost from Goa was quite high. "The new factory is focused on exports. Ranipet is about three hours from the Chennai port and Chennai port does not have congestion and other issues.

It is advantage for our exports business," he said. To a query on the investments made, Baby said investments currently were made for land and building was about Rs 10 crore and another Rs 15 crore on the equipment.

"We may need to spend another Rs 15 crore in two-three months for additional equipment. So, totally Rs 40 crore will be for investments...," he added.

The company for the first time would be using some robots in the manufacturing process, Baby said, adding the facility would have manpower of about 250 people by September.