Balmer Lawrie plans auto lubes expansion


West Bengal's state-owned Balmer Lawrie is planning a Rs3,500 crore ($776m) increase in turnover through the next five years.

The planned expansion will include a Rs300 crore ($66m) investment in six of the conglomerate's vertical business channels.  Most significantly, this includes focusing on the automotive lubricants market, according to the company.

With a current overall turnover of target of Rs2,000 crore ($444m) in this financial year, Balmer Lawrie is looking to build on its strong industrial grease business with the aim of doubling the contribution made by its lubes products from around 3% to 6%.

The drive for an increased presence in auto lubes will be helped by internal investment including plans for the company's second overseas lubes and grease manufacturing plant which is, according to the organisation, already under construction in Indonesia at a cost of $5m.