The gates of the Ambattur unit of Dunlop India Ltd (DIL) reopened on Monday, after a gap of nearly 16 months. During the day, 546 out of the 666 people on rolls joined duty and production had already begun.
P. K. Ruia, Chairman, said that a month’s time would be given to the remaining employees to join duties. The plant had closed down on some power woes, which have been settled now with some interim payments. Power connection was received on October 14.
The unit which makes cross-ply truck and bus tyres is likely to take six months to stabilise production but may get into the production of two and three-wheeler tyres soon. “We will do it as soon as possible as there is good demand now.” At present, sister unit Falcon Tyres, based in Mysore, makes these tyres which are sold under the Dunlop brand. Mr. Ruia said it was possible to start these facilities within 30 days’ time since only some renovation work would be required on the machinery.
The DIL management and the Dunlop Factory Employees Union had signed an agreement on July 28 paving the way for reopening the unit. The earlier agreement expired in April. The agreement also introduced a seven-day week at Ambattur. The mother plant at Sahagunj is still caught in its power woes and is yet to reopen.
