Spurred by CIL's sourcing plans, Tata Hitachi mulls import substitution

This year, Tata Hitachi is expected to import 10 pieces of 87-tonne earthmoving machine

Sensing a huge opportunity after Coal India disclosed plans to procure mining equipment worth Rs 120 billion over the next two years, excavator major Tata Hitachi is mulling at producing the 87-tonne mining excavator in India itself rather than relying on imports to better its sales.

Currently, this company – where Hitachi Construction Machinery has a 60 per cent stake and the rest 40 per cent is held by Tata Motors – produces excavators in the 47, 65 and 120 tonnes category respectively.

“If you look at our Indian portfolio, there is a vacuum in terms of products in the