Hindalco declares lockout at Silvassa plant

Step has been taken following continuation of workers' strike.

Aditya Birla Group flagship firm Hindalco Industries today announced a lock-out at its Silvassa plant in Dadra and Nagar Haveli following continuation of workers' strike.

"...Due to continuation of illegal strike by workmen at company's Silvassa plant, the company is forced to declare a lock-out there," Hindalco said in a BSE filing.

It said, however, that the company does not expect any adverse impact on financials due to the lock-out. Hindalco has eight other manufacturing facilities.

When contacted, the company spokesperson declined to give the number of people who work at the plant.

The Silvassa plant, covering 97 acres, is located 180 km from Mumbai. It has 30,000 tonnes per annum aluminium foil and converted products manufacturing capacity. The plant was up in technical collaboration with Reynolds Metal, USA, in 1998.

It has five rolling mills, two foil separators, two rewinders and six annealing furnaces with inert gas facility among others.

The Silvassa plant caters to Hindalco's key customers in pharmaceutical packaging such as Glaxo Smithkline, Pfizer, Lupin, Aventis, Aristo, Macleods, Cadila, Torrent among others, according to company website.

"The unit exports to over 11 countries across Europe, the Middle East, South Asia, Australia and the Far East," it said.