Aksh Optifibre to set up FRP rods unit in Kandla SEZ

Greenfield plant to make co world’s largest player in FRP rods space.

Aksh Optifibre Limited (AKSH), country's largest manufacturer and supplier of optic fibre cables, is in the process of setting up a greenfield facility for manufacturing glass fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) rods in Gujarat.

The BSE listed company aims to become the world's largest manufacturer of FRP rods after commissioning of its new unit.

Aksh's new FRP rods manufacturing facility is coming up at Kandla SEZ. The company has three acres of land in the SEZ area and it will pump in Rs 6 crore in first phase and Rs 8-10 crore in the second phase.

"FRP rods are used optic fibre cables. The new unit will add 33 per cent to the existing production capacity of the company. Currently we have a production capacity of 650,000 kms per annum and the plant is expected to be ready by May-June 2009", said Chetan Choudhari, chief operating officer, Aksh Optifibre Limited.

Out of the top ten optical fibre cable manufacturers of the world, seven buy FRP rods from Aksh, which exports its products to around 255 countries.

The company already has two manufacturing plants at Bhiwadi and Reengus in Rajasthan. The Bhiwadi unit is for optical fibre cables and fibre, while Reengus facility produces FRP rods.

"Kandla has been chosen for its port connectivity. It takes 7-8 days to transport our products from Rajasthan to Kandla port in Gujarat but with the new facility the company will be able to save time and transportation cost," Choudhari added. The company registered a total turnover of Rs 160 crore during September-2007 to September-2008.

The company intends to have 30 to 32 per cent market share in world FRP rods market.