Mumbai, May 07, 2003: L&T, India's largest engineering, construction and cement conglomerate, and Kobe Steel Limited, a leading engineering conglomerate in Japan with diversified activities, have signed a technical collaboration for manufacturing a wide range of hydraulic tyre curing presses incorporating the latest technology and features. These presses will be of the CUREX - S1 series and will be manufactured in Chennai.

This activity forms a part of L&T's Heavy Engineering business which has been organized under self-reliant Strategic Business Units, each specializing in different product lines. One such Unit in Chennai is LTM Business Unit where equipment for the tyre industry, including tyre curing presses and tyre building machines are manufactured. They have supplied a number of equipment to tyre plants worldwide.

Kobe produces iron and steel, machinery for rubber and plastics processing industries, electronic products and a host of other products and services for various industries. Kobe Steel's portfolio for rubber processing machinery for tyre industry includes curing presses, mixers, extruders, tyre uniformity and testing machines. Kobe has supplied its equipment to a large number of tyre manufacturers. CUREX - S1 is a newly developed oil hydraulic tyre curing press to satisfy recent requirements of customers. It has a simple structure but is equipped with the latest features such as booster cylinders for quick pressurizing time. These presses offer easier installation and continuous trouble-free operation.

Commenting on the collaboration, Mr. E. S. Kumar, Vice President, Industrial Machinery, L&T, said, "This is a good blend of high-technology from Japan and low-cost manufacturing in India. Tyre companies worldwide should derive immense cost-benefits from this tie-up."