KCT Group steps into container manufacturing with Indicon Logistics

With the scheduled launch on April 4 of what is touted to be India's largest container manufacturing unit, Karam Chand Thapar & Bros (Coal Sales) [KCT] is all set its feet firmly on the container logistics sector. Spearheading the move is the company's wholly-owned subsidiary, Indicon Logistics (Indicon), which has set up the state-of-the-art box manufacturing facility in Ranchi, Jharkhand at an estimated cost of Rs 400 million. Initially it has a capacity of manufacturing 750 TEUs per month. 
The facility is said to be a first of its kind, and in terms of installed capacity it is India's largest container manufacturing unit with a built-in flexibility to produce all types of containers, including standard ISO boxes and containers for specialized applications like bunk houses, tank containers, refrigerated containers as well as custom-built containers. 
Aiming to become the technology leader in the container manufacture segment, the company plans to set up several such facilities across in India to take advantage of the growing demand in the logistics sector, which is currently pegged at $100 billion, and is estimated to grow at 20% CAGR over the next three years. The company has already bagged orders worth of Rs 20 crore from segments as diverse as oil & gas and mining. 

Detailing the plans of the company, Indicon Logistics director Varun Thapar said:

"In the first phase of operations, which entails container manufacture and container leasing, we are looking to invest about $20 million. We have already commissioned our first greenfield facility that is the single largest container manufacturing factory in India today. Over the next phase of expansion, we are looking to invest approximately $100 million as we move from manufacturing and diversify into the development of logistics infrastructure like integrated logistics hubs, Container Freight Stations (CFS), Inland Container Depots (ICD) and cold chain and warehousing solutions." 
The company is also engaged in container rental services across India under its 'Kargatact' brand. The extensive and latest model hire fleet consists of safe and well maintained containers available for short, medium and long term lease. 
Responding to the ever growing demand of the cold chain logistics sector, the company has invested heavily in bringing sandwich panel technology to India with the import of the largest and most cuttingedge sandwich panel equipment in the India, capable of producing insulated panels made of GRP, stainless steel, aluminium etc.