Established in 1979, Mutual Industries Ltd., promoted by the late J.M. Gandhi and Mr. D.K. Gandhi, is a family-owned company managed by professionals with long experience in the field. Mutual offers its customers engineering plastic-based solutions from the concept stage of part development, as well as mass manufacturing and supply logistics.
Recently the company set up a joint venture with Styl’Monde SA of France in the name of Mutual Styl monde Private Ltd. with the objective of delivering thermoforming products for various applications, including in the commercial vehicle segment which is currently witnessing a faster growth in the country.
In order to generate greater awareness of the JV products, the company recently organised a technical meet in different parts of the country, including Chennai. The Chennai meet was well attended by representatives of leading OEMs from southern India. At the technical session, several presentations were made by the MutualStylmonde team that evoked much interest among the product engineers and representatives of automotive OEMs present.
In an exclusive interview to MOTORINDIA, Mr. F. Walter Dlomen, Executive Director, Mutual Industries Ltd., said: “Our idea is to bring thermoforming technology with the important technique of designing and engineering parts and systems for performance and aesthetics as the new engineering technology to India. With this technology, the company can offer a better product at affordable costs and investments. Currently, the Indian coach makers have been using FRP materials. This new technology will prove an ideal substitute with several attractive features. For example, by using the thermoforming process, auto parts can be made lightweight, highly sophisticated and environment-friendly due to Thermoforming being a clean process. Mutual Industries is extremely glad to associate itself with Styl’Monde SA of France who are the pioneers in this technology. To start with, we have set up our first manufacturing unit in Silvassa, and based on the future requirement, we may establish new units in southern and northern India.”
Said Mr. Thierry d’Allard, Chief Executive Officer, Styl’Monde: “We have been looking for a right partner in emerging markets like India and found Mutual Industries as a JV partner mainly due to their expertise in the engineering injection moulding field. In many areas, we complement each other’s effort, and hence the JV is expected to be most successful.”
With vast experience of over 50 years, Styl’Monde has three manufacturing plants in France, all of which are currently certified to ISO 9001 V2000. The Silvassa plant is the one and only facility of Styl’Monde outside France.