TRF acquires UK-based Hewitt Robins

TRF Ltd., a Tata enterprise, has acquired the UK-based Hewitt Robins International Ltd. (HRIL).

Under an agreement signed between Mr. Sudhir Deoras, Managing Director, TRF Ltd., and Mr. Christopher Pratt, Director, HRIL, the latter will become a 100 per cent subsidiary of TRF. Present on the occasion were Dr. Jamshed J. Irani, Director, Tata Sons Ltd., and Chairman, TRF Ltd., and Mr. Anwar Hasan, Director, Tata Ltd., London.

This TRF investment represents a significant progression in the direction of rapid growth and globalization by the company. TRF has identified a number of benefits from the acquisition. Enhanced scale will provide a more meaningful presence in both European and Indian markets and the sub-continent. The advantage of low-cost production in India, at TRF’s Jamshedpur plant, along with technical expertise from HRIL in the area of mobile crushing plants and screens, will improve the competitiveness of the company in this market significantly. The combination will also allow cross-fertilisation of research and development capabilities, and there will be a transfer of technology, best practices and expertise within the two companies.

HRIL has a proven history of bulk material handling and processing for over 90 years. Having developed a world-class reputation for strength and endurance within the heaviest industrial plant installations, HRIL equipment is operational throughout the world in industries ranging from mining and quarrying to foundries and ore preparation.

Hewitt Robins is engaged in design, manufacture of mobile crushing plants and screens, and related products in the quarrying, mining, recycling, iron and steel industries. Its proven screen and crusher brands, including the ‘Container Classic’ and the ‘Super Jaw’, are all setting standards by which competitors’ equipment is judged.

HRIL’s product lines include inclined screen, horizontal screen, de-watering screen, widescreen, high energy screen, grizzly feeders, foundry equipment, jaw crusher, cone crusher and mobile crusher. Operating an efficient and competitive UK and European-based manufacturing capability, HRIL produces standard and custom-designed equipment, which is complemented by a full range of fabrication and mechanical engineering services. With offices in the UK, France, the Czech Republic and the US, the company provides comprehensive design, production, installation, service and parts back-up.

Over the last five decades, TRF has emerged as a pioneer in solutions for material handling equipment and processing systems required in the infrastructure development. In quest of rapid growth, TRF has also diversified into automotive applications business. It envisages a five-fold growth in five years and becoming a Rs. 2,500-crore company by 2013 by its enhancing focus on material handling business and auto applications business.