Artson Group, a Tata Group subsidiary, has partnered with Malabar Cements, a public sector undertaking, to establish a joint venture focused on boat manufacturing in Kerala. The agreement was formalized through an MoU signed on Saturday during the Invest Kerala Global Summit.
The project, valued at Rs 300 crore, will see the construction of a boat manufacturing unit for vessels under 100 tonnes. The facility will be located on seven acres of land leased by Malabar Cements from the Cochin Port Trust. Artson Group had previously expressed its interest in contributing to industrial growth in Kochi, and this partnership is a step toward that goal.
Shashank Jha, CEO of Artson Group, and Chandra Bose, Managing Director of Malabar Cements, shared that the manufacturing unit is expected to begin operations within six months, following necessary government discussions. The first phase will focus on supplying boats to the Kochi Water Metro, with potential plans for exports to Europe in the future.
The two-day Invest Kerala Global Summit, which concluded on Saturday, was organized by the Government of Kerala with support from various industry bodies. Artson Limited, formerly known as Artson Engineering Limited, is an Engineering, Manufacturing, and Construction (EMC) contracting company headquartered in Hyderabad, India.
Established in 1978, Artson became a subsidiary of Tata Projects Limited in 2007. The company specializes in supplying equipment, steel structures, and site services for mechanical works across various industries, including oil and gas, petrochemicals, power, and metallurgy.
With manufacturing units in Nashik and Umred, Artson is equipped to produce high-quality pressure vessels, columns, heat exchangers, and other process equipment. The company is committed to quality and holds certifications for its quality management system, environmental management system, and occupational health and safety management system.
Malabar Cements Limited (MCL) is a fully owned undertaking of the Government of Kerala, established in 1978. As the only major integrated cement plant in the state, MCL plays a pivotal role in supplying factory-fresh cement within 12 hours to various parts of Kerala, ensuring minimal strength deterioration due to moisture ingress.
The company’s primary facility is located in Walayar, Palakkad district, with a production capacity of 6.6 lakh tons per annum. In 2003, MCL expanded its operations by commissioning a 2.0 lakh ton clinker-grinding unit at Cherthala in Alappuzha district, increasing the total installed capacity to 8.6 lakh tons. MCL is ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 certified, reflecting its commitment to quality and environmental management. The company contributes significantly to the state’s development by providing essential construction materials and has been recognized for its energy conservation efforts.
