Trichy, July 17 (KNN) The Trichy-based micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) have launched a new cluster named ‘Trichy Industrial Development Service’ (Trident) to explore and tap opportunities in manufacturing defence components, according to a report in TOI.

As per reports, MSMEs, as part of their diversification plan, have identified 1.5 acres of land in Sidco industrial estate in Thuvakudi on the Trichy-Thanjavur national highway to construct a common facility centre at Rs 29 crore to provide technical support for industries to produce defence products.

To tap into opportunities in the defence and railway sectors, upgrading the existing machinery is of paramount importance to the units present here. Hence an exclusive cluster of MSMEs to produce defence components was launched by the MSMEs here recently.

It will have a common facility centre at Thuvakudi. A high-power CNC machine and a laser-cutting machine are to be procured to help them manufacture high-precision defence components within the deadline.

Rajappa Rajkumar, chairman of Defence Chamber of Industries and Commerce, Trichy, “The high-end machinery will help us convince defence organisations to provide work orders to manufacture components in our areas of expertise. A maximum of 80 members will be included in the cluster to utilise the sophisticated machinery.”

While the machinery is expected to reach the cluster by January 2024, MSMEs are simultaneously approaching Indian Army and railways to identify products for local production. Bhel small-scale industries (Bhelsia), Tiruchirappalli district tiny & small-scale industries (Tiditssia) and other organisations will be part of the new cluster.

A defence manufacturing conference for MSMEs is planned in Trichy in September to invite defence and railway organisations to share the manufacturing opportunities available.  (KNN Bureau)