MUMBAI -- Belgium's Aliaxis Group SA, a global manufacturer and distributor of fluid-handling systems, formed a joint venture earlier this year with Bangalore, India-based plastic pipe-fitting company Ashirvad Pipes Pvt. Ltd.
The Indian partner is completing formalities and soon will proceed further to the next stage of the venture: identifying the product range it plans to bring to the Indian market.
“It is too early to comment on the exact product line,” but a decision should be reached this year, said Sekhar Nettem, who is relocating from Aliaxis' Brussels headquarters to become director of business development for the joint venture, called Ashirvad Pipes Bangalore.
“Broadly, building and sanitary are going to be focused segments in the joint venture … as a lot of construction activity is going on throughout the country. These segments would expand our footprints in India market,” Nettem said. “Our first product will hit the India market in the first quarter of 2014.”
Currently, Ashirvad manufactures unplasticized PVC and chlorinated PVC pipes and fittings, and also pioneered uPVC column pipes in the Indian market.