Birmingham-based lifting engineering specialist Lloyds British Testing has capitalised on the phenomenal growth of Asian steel production by opening a division for its Lloyds Somers specialist handling products in Kolkata.
With international headquarters already in Dubai and Egypt, the Indian office will supply slab, coil and sheet handling equipment to metal producing industries on the Asian continent.
Lloyds chief executive Ian White said: "This is a major investment in offering our products at the local level. However, we are convinced the Indian marketplace is one that will reap sizeable benefits for the business and enhance our support to our international client base.
"We intend to expand into service, repair and new product manufacture at this location within twelve to eighteen months."
The Kolkata office will be headed by general manager Swapan Bose, who has significant sector experience, having worked for high profile industry specialists Jessops and Mukand.
In the UK, Lloyds’ annual turnover is now in excess of £18 million, with the organisation employing over 300 people within its ten UK outlets.
"It is our intention to open complementary international offices over the next twelve months," added Mr White. "Our short to medium term aim is to build an international lifting equipment engineering group of companies and we are already exploring further options in Saudi Arabia, Nigeria and Kuwait.
