Birmingham-based lifting engineering specialist Lloyds British Testing is capitalising on the phenomenal growth of Asian steel production by opening a division for its Lloyds Somers specialist handling products in Kolkata, India.

With international headquarters already established in Dubai and Egypt, the new office will supply slab, coil and sheet handling equipment to metal producing industries on the Asian continent.

Said Lloyds British Testing’s chief executive Ian White: "This is a major investment in offering our products at the all-important local level. However, we are convinced that the Indian marketplace is one that will reap sizeable benefits for the business and enhance our support to our international client base.

“We intend to expand into service, repair and new product manufacture at this location within the next twelve to eighteen months.”

The India office will be headed up by general manager Swapan Bose, who has significant sector experience, having worked for high profile industry specialists Jessops and Mukand.
In the UK, Lloyds’ annual turnover is now in excess of £18 million, with the organisation employing over 300 people within its ten UK outlets.
Added Ian White: "It is our intention to open complementary international offices over the next twelve months. Our short to medium term aim is to build an international lifting equipment engineering group of companies and we are already exploring further options in Saudi Arabia, Nigeria and Kuwait.”