Manufacturer reveals plans for further growth in India

Macalloy, a Dinnington-based manufacturer of tensioning bars, tie rods and cable systems, is planning to expand its operations in India.

The 100-year-old company, which has been trading in India for over 40 years, has joined the India Growth Champion Scheme, run by Sheffield City Region in conjunction with UKIBC (UK India Business Council).

Advisors at the scheme carried out an in-depth research project and have provided Macalloy with a database of India’s architects, consulting engineers and construction companies.  Macalloy is now planning to arrange meetings with key contacts at this year’s Trade Mission to India.

The business currently has an Indian distributor based in Chennai. Through the India Growth Champion Scheme it also intends to appoint a new Indian agent and to potentially create a full time sales agent position there, to further expand its market.

Peter Hoy, the firm’s managing director, said: “India is a key market for us and one where we see huge growth potential because of the major infrastructure projects planned here in the next few years.

“The India Growth Champion Scheme should help us to open more doors and to get in front of the right people to secure a greater number of product specifications for the Macalloy Bar.

“We manufacture everything we sell at our factory in Dinnington and currently around 85% of our product is exported.

“We are really excited about the possibilities to extend our market further in India and to maximise on the major bridge building projects there.”

Macalloy products have been used on many high-profile projects, including the Royal Jubilee Bridge in London, Bangalore Airport, The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link and a number of other bridges across India.

The company has also supplied to metro projects across India.

Sir Nigel Knowles, international advisor to Dan Jarvis, Mayor of Sheffield City Region, said: “As a forward-thinking business, Macalloy has recognised the great opportunity to extend its market presence in India.

“With the support and extra resource of our business advisors with expertise in the Indian market, we expect Macalloy and other similar companies can benefit from new connections to grow in this rapidly developing economy.”

Katarzyna Paciorek, area sales manager for Macalloy, said: “British brands are very strong in India, and UK companies have a great leverage when looking at developing their brand visibility there.

“Our main goal this year is to tap into market opportunities via buyers, specifiers and consultants.

“We know it’s very important to nurture existing relationships with our Indian partners. It proves to be quite difficult during a pandemic when it’s impossible to mark our presence on the ground in person.

“We’re doing our best with the help of WhatsApp or Teams Calls. We’re hoping the India Growth Champion Scheme will help us connect with many new partners who we can cooperate successfully with in future.”

Kevin McCole, managing director, UK India Business Council, added: “There are fantastic opportunities in India for advanced manufacturing and engineering businesses and we’re really looking forward to supporting Macalloy further in their expansion into India.”