INDIA BUSINESS WORLD - JANUARY 16^th - JANUARY 31^st - 2008

TRIVITRON FORGES JVS FOR MEDICAL DEVICE FACILITY

Medical devices company Trivitron, which recently raised $11 million from HSBC Private Equity and ePlanet Ventures, has forged three joint ventures with global medical equipment majors to set up manufacturing units in India. Trivitron is spearheading a technology park in Chennai, at an estimated investment of Rs 250 crore, for manufacture of medical equipment to cater to exports and the domestic market.

Medical devices, that range from surgical gloves to MRI scans, account for a Rs 12,000-crore market in India, which is largely fed by imports. Trivitron's medical technology park will come up in Sriperumbudur near Chennai in a 25-acre patch of land. The company is adopting the joint venture model for the manufacture of high-end medical devices. While it has signed up three JVs, two more are on the anvil.

Trivitron managing director G S K Velu said that the company has set up JVs with Japanese ultrasound major Aloka, Spanish Biosystems SA and UK-based Brandon Medicals to kick start manufacturing activity at the park. Biosystems is one of Spain's largest specialist diagnostic manufacturing companies while Brandon specialises in medical lighting products. Apart from a large domestic market, India also offers a cost-effective alternate manufacturing site for exports, he adds.