Toshiba to set up rail systems plant in Hyderabad

Electrical equipment facility to serve Indian, Middle East and African markets

India is an exciting, growing market that is committed to robust, long-term investment, especially in electricity and transportation infrastructure, and we are strongly committed to the country across our business lines - Dr Katsutoshi Toda, CMD, TTDI

Hyderabad: In a significant development, Toshiba Corporation, a world leader in advanced electrical equipment for locomotives and rolling stock, on Thursday announced that it would establish a new production facility for electrical equipment for railway systems in the city.

The new unit, which will be set up as a part of its commitment to India and its ability to supply international markets, will manufacture power conversion systems and train control systems that provide overall operation management.

In a statement, the global major said the new plant would be built by Toshiba Transmission & Distribution Systems (India) Pvt. Ltd. (TTDI), which would establish a new, dedicated railway systems division to promote the business. Production is expected to start in April 2017, and will be expanded to match demand. TTDI expects the plant to have over 100 employees by 2020.

“We are delighted to step forward and add a new and promising business to our portfolio. India is an exciting, growing market that is committed to robust, long-term investment, especially in electricity and transportation infrastructure, and we are strongly committed to the country across our business lines,” said Dr Katsutoshi Toda, Chairman & Managing Director, TTDI, while commenting on the decision.

We will grow the new manufacturing base with investments that will provide employment and contribute to ‘Make in India’ for India’s industrial development. We will also endeavor to enhance our global competitiveness, he added.

Locating production in India is expected to allow Toshiba and TTDI to better understand and meet local market requirements, improve parts supply and maintenance capabilities, and also win cost benefits that will increase competitiveness, both in India and wider markets. Looking to the future, TTDI expects the new facility to grow as a manufacturing base that also meets demand in the Middle East and African markets.

“India has long relied on railways to knit together the country, and its current high economic growth is stimulating demand for modernization. Demand for railway transportation is increasing rapidly, led by government-led construction of dedicated freight corridors and an ever expanding reliance on subway systems in major cities,” the company said in the statement.

By establishing a new manufacturing base, Toshiba considers India as one of the important markets with significant growth potential. The company looks forward to accelerating global expansion of its railway systems business through its highly reliable technology and service offerings, it added.