Posted on Dec 19, 2017

Amara Raja Batteries Opens Largest Two-Wheeler Battery Plant in India (Chittoor)

Strengthening its presence as the leading battery manufacturer, Amara Raja Batteries Ltd (ARBL) today commissioned its Two-Wheeler Battery Plant at the Amara Raja Growth Corridor in Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh. The plant was inaugurated by Mr. George R Oliver, Chairman and CEO – Johnson Controls, showcasing yet another milestone in the successful joint venture between the two companies.

The first phase of the plant which was commissioned will have a capacity of 5 mn units. The plant will have an ultimate capacity of 17 mn units with an estimated investment of Rs 700Cr taking the total capacity for two-wheeler batteries to 29Mn units. The plant will employ 1300 people at full capacity. It is the most advanced production facility in the country pioneering the use of advanced punched grid making technology for two-wheeler battery manufacturing. The technology ensures best-in-class product performance, higher productivity and improved environmental standards.

Mr George R Oliver, Chairman & CEO, Johnson Controls, who was present with his Global and Asia Pacific (APAC) leadership teams, said,

I am delighted on the occasion our partnership completing 20 successful years. I could not be more proud of this milestone in our combined history. When Johnson Controls and Amara Raja first came together in 1997, our goal was simple: deliver high-quality batteries to customers across India. By constantly innovating our products, anticipating the needs of the market and delivering value to our customers every single day, we’ve certainly met our goal. This advanced battery plant heralds another path-breaking journey between the two companies for creating new milestones.

During the inaugural ceremony, Dr. Ramachandra N Galla, Chairman, Amara Raja Group said,

This initiative is a step forward in boosting capabilities to match global competitiveness. The advanced, high-speed assembly lines present in this plant will increase efficiencies, thereby driving higher productivity and shorter delivery times. Johnson Controls has always supported our efforts to introduce advanced technology and innovative products.

The plant infrastructure too reflects Amara Raja’s commitment to deploy energy efficient processes to minimise carbon emissions. For harnessing solar energy, the plant is also installed with 2.7 MW of roof top solar power which generates 4.5 mn KWh of energy. The high-speed assembly lines and advanced Robotic system will help minimise human intervention making the process highly reliable.

About Amara Raja Batteries Limited

A company with 26% equity each from the Galla Family and Johnson Controls Inc., USA, Amara Raja Batteries Limited is the technology leader and one of the largest manufacturers of lead-acid batteries for both industrial and automotive applications in the Indian storage battery industry.

In India, Amara Raja is the preferred supplier to major telecom service providers, Telecom equipment manufacturers, the UPS sector (OEM & Replacement), Indian Railways and to the Power, Oil & Gas, among other industry segments. Amara Raja’s industrial battery brands comprise PowerStack, AmaronVoltTM and Quanta. The Company is a leading manufacturer of automotive batteries under the brands Amaron and Powerzone, which are distributed through a large pan-India sales & service retail network.

The Company supplies automotive batteries under OE relationships to Ashok Leyland, Ford India, Honda, Hyundai, Mahindra & Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki, and Tata Motors. The Company’s Industrial and Automotive Batteries are exported to countries in the Indian Ocean Rim.

Johnson Controls

Johnson Controls is a global diversified technology and multi industrial leader serving a wide range of customers in more than 150 countries. Our 120,000 employees create intelligent buildings, efficient energy solutions, integrated infrastructure and next generation transportation systems that work seamlessly together to deliver on the promise of smart cities and communities. Our commitment to sustainability dates back to our roots in 1885, with the invention of the first electric room thermostat. We are committed to helping our customers win and creating greater value for all of our stakeholders through strategic focus on our buildings and energy growth platforms.

Johnson Controls Power Solutions

Johnson Controls Power Solutions is a world leader working in partnership with our customers to meet increasing market demands for energy storage on a global scale. We create the most advanced battery technologies for virtually every type of vehicle on the planet. Our employees develop, manufacture and distribute the smartest portfolio of lead-acid and lithium-ion technologies in the world. These technologies deliver uniquely sustainable, next-generation performance. We partner with our customers at every link in the supply chain, contributing to the communities we serve and the planet we share.