Largest integrated tractor plant inaugurated in Punjab

Hoshiarpur (Punjab), May 8 (IANS) Describing it as a major asset for the state's progress, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Monday inaugurated a new state-of-the-art tractor production facility of the Sonalika brand here.

The new facility makes International Tractors Limited, which manufactures Sonalika tractors, the world's largest integrated tractor plant.

The plant will manufacture 3 lakh tractors annually. The Chief Minister, who rolled out the first tractor, termed the new plant as a major achievement for Punjab, which was heavily dependent on agriculture for its growth and development.

The inaugural event was attended by the top management of the company, including Chairman L.D. Mittal, Vice Chairman Amrit Mittal and Managing Director Deepak Mittal. On the occasion, the management presented a cheque of Rs 1 crore for the Chief Minister's Relief Fund.

They also presented a tractor to the Chief Minister, who gifted the same to Citrus Estate in Chhauni village, which he had earlier visited.

International Tractors, which is the third-largest tractor manufacturing company of the country on the basis of the number of tractors sold, employs about 5,000 workers directly, while generating indirect employment for another 15,000.

Promoted by the Punjab-based Mittal family since 1996, the company exports 20 per cent of its production to about 80 countries, including some countries in Europe.

Yanmar of Japan, a 100-year-old company engaged in the manufacture of engines, tractors and farm equipment, is the technical and financial partner of Sonalika Tractors.