Previously GEA handled the distribution of its manufacturing machines though its offices in Vadodara, Gujarat but chose to hand over the reigns to ACE after recognising the need for an extensive national network.
While confirming the deal Navin Lakhanpaul, GEA’s regional manager, explained that ACE’s distribution network and existing client base will “[enable] us to react more quickly to our customers’ requirements”.
These thoughts were echoed by the company’s director of sales and marketing Frans Mass. He commented that: “We have seen the phenomenal success that ACE Technologies has had as a distributor of processing equipment in India and are confident that their customer network, service set up and engineering capabilities will be a tremendous asset.”
The deal covers the distribution and servicing of GEA’s MODUL and PERFORMA systems which, the firm claims, are the market leading technologies in the multiple and limited change-over tablet press categories. Both platforms are manufactured at GEA’s Courtoy unit in Belgium.
In addition, while the majority of its machines are made in Europe before being shipped to distributors and customers worldwide, GEA is installing additional manufacturing capacity in Vadodara to enable scale up production in India.
The expansion, which is on track to be completed early next month, is a further indication of GEA’s focus on the country’s booming manufacturing sector and opportunities in Asia as a whole.