Castmaster Mobitec to commence production soon

Mobitec, part of DRI Corporation, is a global leader in the design and manufacture of system technology for mobile passenger information on buses and rail transport. In 2007, Mobitec established a joint venture with Castmaster for manufacture and supply of electronic passenger information systems to the Indian market. Castmaster Mobitec India Private Ltd., the 51:49 JV, in favour of Mobitec, is now in the process of setting up a full-fledged manufacturing facility in India.

The Mobitec Group, a global supplier of electronic information display systems, is highly respected for its products, technology, service, and quality. Based in Herrljunga, Sweden, the group also operates business units in Australia and Germany, as well as joint ventures in Brazil and India. In 2001, the company became part of DRI Corporation, which enables it to acquire valuable experience of the American market place.

“We hope to start commercial production at our Indian manufacturing facility by the second quarter of 2009”, says Mr. Oliver Wels, Managing Director of Mobitec AB. This will be the third global manufacturing facility for Mobitec, the first being its main facility in Sweden and the second facility is in Brazil.

Mr. Wels further observes: “When we decided to enter India, we were looking for a partner with strong OEM relationships. Our strategy from the very beginning is that we needed to work with a local partner to be successful in a market like India and the perfect fit was Cast master which has a long history of manufacturing and suppling components to leading OEMs in India”.

Mobitec’s first major order was the first lot of 655 city buses for DTC. The company has established a 24/7 service support across 7 locations in Delhi. The Indian JV has recently bagged the order from BEST for the city buses supplied by JCBL. Currently all products are being imported, but with the new facility in place, the company will start manufacturing locally. The JV has already identified component suppliers for local sourcing.
Mr. Wels says the Indian plant will cater to the growing demand in the Indian market and also to other neighboring Asian market. Apart from bus segment, Mobitec is also looking at the rail segment both for Metro and Intercity express trains.

Mobitec today operates in 65 countries worldwide with revenues of $42 million. The company has been witnessing a healthy growth rate in the last few years, and with the new facility in India, it is looking at a significant growth in the years to come. The Indian JV currently employs 15 people and will plans to double the number by the end of this year.

“We aim to become our customers’ largest partner worldwide. Our unique global distribution and service networks enable us to supply high quality information systems for public transport in all key markets, as well as adapt to quickly changing conditions and requirements”, adds Mr. Wels.
Mobitec has also launched a new product for internal lighting of buses that not only provides comfort but also security. The light runs on a software that controls the intensity and also provides sound lighting inside the bus. Some prototypes will be delivered soon.