Panasonic's first 'eco ideas' factor in Dadri to provide jobs to 2000

by Haryananewswire

CHANDIGARH, DEC 12

 Haryana added a new chapter of Industrial development today as the global electronic giant Panasonic’s first ‘eco ideas’ factory in India was inaugurated at village Dadri Toy in district Jhajjar today.

            Haryana Chief Minister Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda inaugurated the new manufacturing unit spread over an area of 76 acres in the upcoming Model Economic Township, which is 100 per cent owned by the Panasonic Corp. The Company will invest about 200 million USD that is about Rs 1100 crore upto the year 2015 and provide direct employment to 2,000 persons. This factory promises not just state-of-the-art manufacturing of high-tech products, but also brings much-needed employment, economic growth, and social benefits to the state. In addition to creating hundreds of jobs, vocational training  will be offered to improve the technical skills of the people working in and around the Jhajjar facility, helping them increase their employment opportunities.

Addressing the inaugural function, Haryana Chief Minister Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda said that the Panasonic factory was a beginning which would transform the region and prove to be a milestone in the development of the state. He said that Panasonic would provide jobs to 2,000 persons and the full development of industrial zone would open job opportunities to about 3.5 lakh persons. He said that it is a matter of pleasure that DENSO manufacturing unit is also near completion, which would further boost the industrialization of the state.

            Mr Hooda said that Panasonic had setup first unit in the country in 1972 and has created a niche for itself at the global level. He also complemented the Panasonic for early completion of first phase of the project and setting up first green and eco friendly manufacturing facility in the state. He said that the company would invest more than Rs 1,000 Crore in next five years. He also called upon the Panasonic to provide training and technical educational facilities to the state youth so that they could be equipped for the technical jobs in such manufacturing units.

            Haryana Industries Minister Mr Randeep Singh Surjewala said that Indo-Japan friendship dates back to 2,000 years and this would be further strengthened in the 21st century. He said that Haryana has been a traditional seat of Buddhist learning. He said that Haryana has been a major contributor in increasing the nation’s growth rate. During the previous seven years of Congress Government led by Mr Hooda, the State has attracted more investment than it could get in the previous 40 years of its inception, he added.

Ambassador of Japan to India, Takeshi Yagi said that many Japanese companies have set up their units in the state of Haryana. Panasonic, a gigantic electronics corporation, has setup most advanced manufacturing unit in the state. It would contribute to the development of the state and enhancing Indo-Japan cooperation. Japan has very good relations with Haryana and we trust Haryana Government, he added.            

Managing Director of Panasonic Corporation’s Asia Pacific & Middle East Asia unit(APMEA) Mr Yori Hisa Shiokawa said that India is considered as one of the fastest growing economies with outstanding market potential.

            President of Panasonic India Mr. Daizo Ito said, “Panasonic has been known for making everyday life simpler, more convenient and more energy efficient. Today’s opening of this factory will fuel our first priority goal in India of doubling Panasonic’s revenue in fiscal 2012-2013. We plan to achieve this by focusing on three core strategies: pursuing our company vision of becoming the No. 1 Green Innovation Company in the Electronics Industry by 2018, integrating Indian expertise into our product design and manufacturing processes, and increasing focus on rural development to ensure that Panasonic India performs as a responsible corporate entity contributing to the equitable growth of the entire Indian society.”

Mr. Daizo Ito  said, “We have got exemplary support from the Haryana Government which is taking strong leaps in building infrastructure for industrial growth in the state. We are grateful to the honourable Chief Minister of Haryana, Shri Bhupinder Singh Hooda, who has been very supportive in our endeavor for establishing Panasonic Technopark here in Jhajjar. We are glad that with our factory we will be able to generate employment for the local community and contribute to Haryana's growth and prosperity”. 

Panasonic ‘eco ideas’ brand ambassador Dia Mirza said, “Environmental deterioration is prevalent not only in India, but also in many other parts of the world. I am sure that through this ‘eco ideas’ Factory and eco learning activities being conducted, Panasonic will successfully be able to play an effective role in changing mindsets and driving individuals to assume greater environmental responsibility in their communities.”

            The construction of the Panasonic manufacturing unit had commenced in April 2011 and has an initial manufacturing capacity of over 1,000,000 sets of air conditioners, 400,000 sets of washing machines and 25,000 sets of welding and cutting machines per annum. These environmentally friendly products are catered to the domestic market and the manufacturing unit will be providing employment to approximately 3,500 staff by 2018. While initially the products made at Technopark will be consumed locally, by the percentage of export of products manufactured at Technopark will be five per cent by 2013 and 20 per cent  by 2015. The exports will primarily be made to Middle East and Africa. While manufacturing exports from India is expected to reach to about US$ 300 billion by 2015, according to report titled ‘Made in India-the Next Big Manufacturing Export Story’ (jointly prepared by CII and McKinsey), Panasonic India with its manufacturing and export plans will also be contributing to this figure for the country.

               The new Panasonic India Group facility, located at Dadri Toi in Jhajjar Haryana, will implement a wide range of eco initiatives, including development of technologies to support a zero-carbon lifestyle and the adoption of sustainable business practices across the entire company. Panasonic Technopark is designed with various green features, which include a 28.29 KWp solar modules installation at the rooftop of the office, entrance canopy and car park to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, and a 100% water recycling system, as a sustainable water provision. As part of the factory’s sustainable manufacturing, the company will implement initiatives that focus on 3 key areas, which include CO2 emissions reduction, waste management and recycling, and chemical substance usage.

Panasonic Corporation is considered a worldwide leader in the development and manufacture of electronic products for three business fields, consumer, components & devices, and solutions. Panasonic makes available in India its wide range of consumer electronics and home appliances like LCD & Plasma TVs, DVD players, home theatre systems, cameras, camcorders, car audio systems, air conditioners, washing machines, refrigerators, microwave ovens, automatic cookers, vacuum cleaners and the like.

It may be recalled that several Japanese companies already have a presence in the state of Haryana. These include Honda, Suzuki, Canon, Yakult, Denso, Mitsubishi, Toyo, Daikin, Yokohama, Showa, Nippon, Kansai Paints, Asahi and Stanley.

            Haryana Education Minister Mrs Geeta Bhukkal, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Rao Dan Singh, Political Advisor to Chief Minister Prof Virender, MLA Dr Raghubir Kadian, Mr Naresh Sharma, CEO of Model Economic Township Company Limited Mr. Pradeep Puri, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce Mr. Rajeev Arora and Managing Director of Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (HSIIDC) Mr. Tarun Bajaj were also present on the occasion.