Date:22/03/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/03/22/stories/2006032206141900.htm

Business

SSL-TTK Sriperumbudur facility on stream

To make the Chennai unit a global hub for footcare products

CHENNAI: SSL-TTK Ltd. intends to make its footcare products manufacturing plant at Irungattukottai, Sriperumbudur, 60 km from here, a global hub for Scholl footcare products, T. T. Jagannathan, Chairman, TTK Group, said here on Tuesday.

SSL-TTK Ltd. is a 51:49 joint venture between SSL International (U.K.) and TTK-LIG Limited, for the manufacture of internationally renowned Scholl footcare brand for SSL's global and Indian markets. The company on Tuesday announced the formal inauguration of its Scholl footcare products manufacturing facility.

Geraland Corbett, Chairman, SSL International inaugurated the new plant. He also inaugurated the India R&D facility set up at Ticel Bio-Park, Chennai.

Addressing a press meet before the inauguration of the facility, Mr. Jagannathan said the R&D facility involved an investment of Rs. 2.50 crore.

The new manufacturing facility set up at a cost of Rs. 25 crore has the capacity to manufacture 30 million footcare products annually. The new facility will employ over 200 people initially.

The plant had been set up over an area of 25,000 sq. ft. and the warehouse for the facility was spread over 35,000 sq. ft., Mr. Jagannathan said. The facility would produce 40 per cent of the global requirement.

Garry Watts, CEO, SSL International, said SSL-TTK had a licence agreement with Bata India to manufacture and distribute its range of Dr Scholl footwear.The Chennai facility would be the most important footcare plant in the world for SSL International.