Maini to launch high capacity tow tugs

Company gearing up to exploit Make in India opportunities for manufacturing import substitutes

Bengaluru-based Maini Group is looking to exploit opportunities from the central government’s Make in India programme by launching high capacity electric tow tugs.

The Rs 450-crore company, better known for its electric car Reva, is launching 25-tonne electric tow tugs in June. This will be an import substitute and help airports access low-cost equipment in the country, said a top company official.

“We have been manufacturing a tow tug with eight-tonne capacity and are ready to launch 10-tonne capacity tow tugs in April this year. Currently, Indian airports are importing 25-tonne tugs for heavy duty applications. Our R&D team is working on the 25-tonne machine and will be launched by June this year,” Sandeep Maini, chairman, told Business Standard.

He said the company has developed these products at its in-house research and development unit for the 25-tonne tow tugs, which has wide ranging applications in defence, airports and sea ports. Currently, Indian airports are using traditional tractors for pulling aircraft as they have to import this heavy duty equipment.

“Our product could come in handy for them to replace those tractors for various applications. The internal survey conducted by us shows there is a requirement for about 1,500 tow tugs in Indian airports in the next two years,” Maini said.

Maini Group has a capacity to manufacture around 200-400 units a year depending on the requirement, he added. Currently, the company is manufacturing small capacity tugs in the range of two to five tonnes for industrial applications and eight-tonne capacity tug for airports. IndiGo is among the largest customers for its eight-tonne tow tugs.  

Apart from selling in the domestic airports, the group is also actively exploring export opportunities to China and countries in southeast Asia, West Africa and Africa among others, Maini said.

The group is also looking for opportunities in the defence offsets programme and is ready to partner with foreign firms, he said, adding, it would also enter into services sector by setting up warehouses. “We have considerable expertise in material handling and using warehouse management systems. We want to operate warehouses for e-commerce companies who are looking for quick service,” Maini said.

The company has developed an in-house software with the help of Italy-based Ferretto Group for warehouse management. “We are in active talks with two to three customers in the western region and will launch our warehousing services by October this year,” Maini said.

The group is making an initial investment to the tune of Rs 10-15 crore. He added a separate company is being formed to enter into warehousing services.