Ashok Leyland, the flagship of the Hinduja Group, and John
Deere announced their entry into the rapidly growing Indian
construction equipment business through their 50:50 joint
venture, with the launch of their first product, the 435
Backhoe Loader. The products will be marketed under the
brand LEYLAND DEERE.
The new brand symbolizes the coming together of two strong
partners, each bringing to the association their unique
individual strengths and competencies. John Deere brings in
their advanced technical knowhow and vast experience in the
global construction equipment space while Ashok Leyland
lends in-depth knowledge of the Indian market, proven
expertise in manufacturing, sourcing and distribution, to
this strategic partnership.
A product set to re-define benchmarks
The first product from this combine - the LEYLAND DEERE 435
Backhoe Loader (BHL) - has been designed to transform the
nature of the construction equipment business in India as
well as re-define the way construction equipment products
are perceived and used.
Exceptionally well-engineered and feature-rich, the 435 BHL
will deliver superior value to the ever-evolving
construction equipment customer by addressing the critical
considerations of lower operating cost, higher productivity
and greater uptime. It is rugged in structure, powered by
an Ashok Leyland engine of proven pedigree from the
'H'-Series platform and replete with USPs like
power shift transmission, best in class cabin with larger
space and higher visibility, higher breakout forces and
greater dig depths.
To ensure that customers get higher uptime, the LEYLAND
DEERE 435 BHL will be supported by an innovative customer
care package called the C.A.R.E. Programme which will be
delivered through the efficient LEYLAND DEERE channel
network developed. The C.A.R.E. Programme will include an
extended warranty of a year after the first year of
warranty, committed restoration time for the equipment and
regular and periodic engineer visits to the customer during
warranty period and also an insurance cover of Rs. 2 lakhs
for the customer's operator.
State-of-the-art manufacturing facilities
The 435 BHL is being manufactured at LEYLAND DEERE's
brand new facility at Gummidipoondi, 50 kms from Chennai.
This facility incorporates globally-benchmarked
manufacturing processes like robotic welding, CNC
cutting, state-of-the-art paint shop to ensure the
highest standards of product reliability and durability
supported by international standard quality processes and
systems.
Executive comments
Dr. V. Sumantran, Chairman, Ashok Leyland John Deere
Construction Equipment Company Ltd. and Executive
Vice-Chairman, Hinduja Automotive Ltd.:
"This JV marks a marriage of experience with
expertise, global vision with local relevance,
technological leadership with market presence. Cognizant
of India's huge appetite for construction and
infrastructure development, we are well-placed and
well-equipped to tap the huge potential that exists.
While we seek to redefine the benchmarks with our first
offering, we are well on our way to both extending our
range with additional products as well as scaling up our
operations beyond this start."
Mr. Michael J. Mack, President, Worldwide Construction
and Forestry Division, Deere & Co.:
"Our first product represents a triumph for the
joint venture in terms of collaborative development. We
have used our intimate knowledge of ground realities and
specific customer requirements as touch stones while
engineering the product which, we believe, will be
well-accepted in the Indian market. The single-minded
focus, constancy of purpose and perfect understanding
between the partners have held the joint venture in good
stead and positions us well for the exciting journey
ahead."
About John Deere
Deere & Company (NYSE: DE) is a world leader in
providing advanced products and services and is
committed to the success of customers whose work is
linked to the land - those who cultivate, harvest,
transform, enrich and build upon the land to meet the
world's dramatically increasing need for food,
fuel, shelter and infrastructure. Since 1837, John
Deere has delivered innovative products of superior
quality built on a tradition of integrity. For
more information, visit John Deere at its worldwide
website at
www.JohnDeere.com.
About the Hinduja Group
Hinduja Group is an investment and banking group with a
diversified global portfolio of holdings across the
manufacturing services and banking sectors. The Group,
founded by Shri P.D. Hinduja in 1914 has activities
across three core areas: Investment Banking,
International Trading and Global Investments. It also
supports charitable and philanthropic activities across
the world through the Hinduja Foundation. As part of
its Global investments, the Group owns businesses in
Automotive, Information Technology, Media,
Entertainment & Communications, Banking & Finance,
Infrastructure Project Development, Chemicals & Agri
business, Energy, Real Estate, Trading and Healthcare.
www.hindujagroup.com.
About Ashok Leyland
Ashok Leyland is the flagship of the Hinduja Group and
a leading manufacturer of commercial vehicles in India
with 2010-11 turnover of US $ 2.5 billion. The Company
has seven manufacturing locations at Chennai, Hosur
(three plants), Alwar, Bhandara and Pantnagar
(Uttarakhand) and a production capacity of 150,000
vehicles. Ashok Leyland has associate companies in the
Czech Republic and the UAE and a joint venture in Sri
Lanka, besides exports to over 30 countries worldwide.
www.ashokleyland.com