Panasonic strengthens foothold in India : Inaugurates new manufacturing unit – Panasonic ‘Eco Ideas’ Factory
Panasonic India, today announced the expansion of its presence in India with the opening of its first model ‘eco ideas’ Factory in India. This is the company’s latest initiative to showcase best practices in sustainable manufacturing and raise level of eco consciousness in the community through outreach activities. With the opening of this manufacturing unit in India, Panasonic reiterated how localization is key for the company’s growth and its commitment in India. 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 region. In addition to creating hundreds of jobs, vocational trainings will be offered to improve the technical skills of the people working in and around the Jhajjar facility, helping them increase their employment opportunities.
The factory was inaugurated in the presence of dignitaries like Honorable Chief Minister of Haryana, Shri Bhupinder Singh Hooda; Shri. Pradeep Jain ‘Aditya, Minister for Rural Development, Government of India; Shri Naresh Kumar Sharma, MLA, Badli; Mr. Randeep Singh Surjewala, Industries and Commerce Minister, Haryana; Shri Deepinder Hooda, Member of Parliament; Shri Ram Kishan Gujjar, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Industries and Commerce Department, Mr. Pradeep Puri, CEO of Model Economic Township Company Limited; Mr. Rajeev Arora, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Mr. Tarun Bajaj, Managing Director of Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (HSIIDC). Senior representatives from Panasonic also graced the occasion.
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 for a sustainable water provision. As part of the factory’s sustainable manufacturing, the company will implement initiatives that focus on three key areas, which include CO2emissions reduction, waste management and recycling, and chemical substance usage.
[quote]Present at the launch, Shri Bhupinder Singh Hooda said, “Panasonic has demonstrated its strong commitment in contributing to the country’s efforts in environmental protection. Indeed, the newly established ‘eco ideas’ Factory is a prime example of a manufacturer taking stewardship of its processes and products to mitigate any detrimental environmental impact. We hope such efforts will spur even more manufacturers to do the same and this will lead to the overall development of this area as well as the country especially in terms of providing employment to so many people.”[/quote]
The construction of the manufacturing unit 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 will cater to the domestic market and the manufacturing unit will be providing employment to approximately 3,500 staff by 2018. Panasonic shall focus on making India a manufacturing hub and will export products from India to other markets like Middle East and Africa region. The percentage of export of products manufactured at Technopark will be 5% by 2013 and 20% by 2015.
At the factory inauguration, Panasonic India announced its commitment of making “environment” central to all business activities in line with the regional ‘eco ideas’. These actions have been divided as 1) ‘eco ideas’ for Lifestyle – achieving green lifestyles to enrich Indian people’s lives through activities promoting energy saving eco products, developing new comprehensive energy and environment solutions business and expanding Eco Learning Programme; 2) ‘eco ideas’ for Business-style – reducing environmental impact through Green manufacturing and CO2emissions reduction.
