November 26, 2010

Big Dutchman to build Indian subsidiary in 2011

Big Dutchman, the EUR625-million (US$833-million) German housing and feeding equipment for poultry and piggery industries, will start an Indian subsidiary next year to serve the local and other markets.

"We had started our Indian operations 15 years ago through a joint venture. But that did not work. Seeing good opportunities in the Indian poultry industry, we are seriously exploring setting up a venture of our own here," said Mr Bernd Meerpohl, Chairman of Board of management of Big Dutchman.

It supplied a range of systems that included floor management system, manually operated feed chain and computer-controlled feeding systems for pullets and layers.

The 62-year-old family-run company would set up a logistics centre in India to address the domestic market. At a later phase, it might consider exporting products to other markets as well. "We are in the process of hiring people. We will invest a few millions into the company. It will be up and running by next year-end," he said, refusing to specify the exact investments that could come to India.

He said the company outsourced the equipment parts, based on the designs provided by it, from suppliers. In India too, it would follow the same model.

The company has a representative office in India.