$ 3 Bn Trinity Industries In Talks For Local Venture

The $ 3 billion Dallas-based Trinity Industries Inc, one of north America's largest manfuacturers of transportation, construction and industrial products, is planning to make a big entry into India.

It is in talks with a number of entities, including K K Birla's heavy engineering company Texmaco Ltd, for partnering a joint venture. A decision in this regard is likely in the second quarter of next year.

A two-member Trinity team comprising Douglas Schneider, group president, international operations, Inland Barge Group, and Manuel Castro, group president, Trinity Industries de Mexico / World Wide LPG, were in Calcutta to assess the viability of the proposed joint venture.

Douglas Schneider said the group plans to make India the manufacturing base for its wagons and LPG containers.

"Though the primary target would be the Indian market, we will also look at exporting our industrial products to the far East," he said.

It is understood that Trinity will not compromise on absorption of labour, high cost of raw materials like steel, quality and specification of raw materials and allow its productivity controlled by unions in view of the thin margin of profitability in the products.

Schneider clearly said: "We will partner only with functional people who cherish our values on technical issues." The group will contribute to the joint venture in terms of design and engineering expertise.

Trinity's feasibility reports show that India has a lot of potential in their product categories.

Schneider feels that with the growth of the economy and the hgihways in urgent need of investment, railroads will be one of the most important modes of transportation, and hence the group has identified India to be their next area for investment. "We are capable of making the requirement level of investment in India," he said.