Rubber co-op enters Karnataka

The Kerala State Rubber Co-operative Ltd (Rubco) has announced its foray into Karnataka with its range of products.

The Rs 280 crore company, is also planning a foray into the automotive market by offering 2, 3 and 4-wheeler tyres in this fast growing market.

Announing the initiatives in Bangalore, Rubco, managing director Jacob Mathew said: "We have established our presence in the rubber-based industrial segment and a host of other applications of rubber like footwear, cycle tyres and tubes, mattress, processed rubberwood furniture. We have identified the booming automobile market and we are putting upcapacities for our foray into the 2,3 and 4 wheeler tyre market."

Rubco has forayed into Karnataka market with its range of coir-based rubber mattress and is looking at sales of around Rs 5 crore during the first year in this state.

Added Mathew: "Our mattress is manufactured to global standards and our production unit is among the few in the country to employ state-of-the-art Austrian machinery. The machinery as well as the technology is sourced from DOA of Austria. The plant has an annual capacity of 4.5 lakh units comprising mattresses, pillows and other rubberised coir products."

Mathew added that after the initial marketing in the southern states, the company will look at widening its market northwards into the North India.