Date:22/04/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/04/22/stories/2005042201780900.htm

Back Patel Engg looking for tech expertise in overseas buys

Amit Mitra

Mumbai , April 21

PATEL Engineering Ltd (PEL) is looking for overseas acquisitions of technology-driven construction companies to bring new technologies into the Indian market.

About seven years ago, the company had acquired ASI of the US to bring RCC (roller compacted concrete) technology in dam construction and about four years ago it took over Westcon Microtunneling Inc of the US to introduce micro-tunnelling technology in India.

"More than the size of the companies that we would acquire, it will be their technological expertise that we will be looking at. We feel that infrastructure development in India will require new technologies in the near future and we want to be ready with them," Mr Rupen Patel, Managing Director of the company, told Business Line.

PEL will be looking at new technologies in construction of dams especially in the mountainous terrains, which requires special expertise. The company recently concluded a technology-transfer agreement with Trevi of Italy, which specialises in permeation grouting. "This technology is useful for construction of dams along hill streams. We will be using this technology for the Parbati hydro-electricity project in Himachal Pradesh" Mr Patel pointed out.