Business
Indian Companies Increasing Foreign Acquisitions; More Companies "Indianized"
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| Photo by IANS |
Indian companies have become matured, while tough competition remains within the domestic market of the country, Indian companies are exploring more markets and adding more dimensions of competition. In the last decade we saw growing number of acquisitions by Indian company not only of smaller brands but also of much bigger and prestigious brands. In our previous article we discussed how the former colony India has been acquiring more businesses in the UK and “Indianizing” them, becoming the largest employer in the private sector of the UK. It is observed that Indian companies in a collective manner targeted UK businesses more actively, it could be unintentionally or may be some kind of nationalism. Indian companies are now equally active in the rest of the geography in the race to secure resources and technology.
Year 2003. In the year of 2003, one of the key Korean based commercial vehicle company, Daewoo was acquired by Tata Motors. Daewoo was famous for the cars Cielo and Matiz. After the acquisition Daewoo cars disappeared from Indian markets. Today Tata Daewoo is in the heavy vehicle business with its manufacturing and assembly mainly in Korea, India and Pakistan (Afzal Motors).
Year 2005. The confidence in the management of the Tata boosted so high that one by one it acquired more companies in US, South Africa and East Europe making it world’s second largest branded tea maker. US herbal and green tea brand Good Earth was bought by Tata Global Beverages in 2005.
In another move in the automobile industry Tata Motors bought one of the largest manufacturer of bus and coach cabins in Europe, Hispano Motors Carrocera in 2005. Apart from their main plant in Zaragoza, Hispano also has another facility across the Mediterranean sea in Africa, Casablanca, Morocco. Their combined capacity is to produce nearly 2.000 unites per year. With this acquisition Tata also brought a number of jobs by bringing manufacturing of Hispano bodied buses in India at ACGL plant in Goa. These buses are known as Tata Divo.
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| Why doesn’t Tata launch these buses in India? Variant of Tata Hispano Globus can be seen plying on the airports which lack functioning aerodrome facilities. Photo by Motor India |
Later, in the same year Tata made another acquisition in the UK. UK-based Brunner Mond group and US-based General Chemical Industrial Products were back to back bought by Tata Chemicals.
Year 2006. Another US based beverages firm Eight O’ Clock Coffee was bought for US$220 million. Tata also successfully established itself in the tea markets of other small countries like Czech Republic, where it owns JEMČA which is the biggest selling tea brand in the country.
In a move to secure resources around the world, Indian companies are actively spreading their arms. A study by Ernst and Young reports that the Indian companies have advanced in recent years and have invested appreciably in securing mineral resources. For the first time, in the year 2010, India-based companies scored over Chinese counterparts in the acquisition of foreign mineral assets. To support the statement, Indian companies had invested US$4.64 billion in 2010 to acquire businesses outside India, while Chinese overseas investments declined by more than half to US$4.45 billion.
Year 2007. Tata, just after one year of making its dominating presence in the tea markets of US and UK, moved on to the next big thing, Steel! In the year 2007, ambitious Tata Steels bought a company five times bigger than itself for US$12.1 billion. At that time Corus was ranked eighth largest in the world. This pushed Tata Steel from 65th position in the world steel production to a comfortable 5th position. In an another move in the metallurgy industry by another Indian company, Aditya Birla Group acquired Canadian Novelis, an aluminum producing company, for around $6 billion by its flagship company Hindalco Industries. This acquisition has made Hindalco world’s leading aluminium rolled products producer.
Year 2008. India made notable acquisitions in the sector in which it is considered the world leader, IT sector. Indian company HCL acquired UK based enterprise solution provider Axon in mid 2008. Overall Axon group and its subsidiaries has constituted 14% of HCL Tech’s revenue of Rs 16,030 crore and net profit of Rs 1,646.5 crore proving impressively beneficial. HCL, Infosys, and Tata Consultancy Services have till date acquired large number of companies or established their centres around the world and maintain world dominance when it comes to IT.
In the same year, in one of the most surprising deal Tata Motor’s acquired prestigious British Jaguar and Land Rover auto brands. Still very few are aware that Tata Motors owns these super luxurious British automobile brands since 2008. Tata never renamed it as Tata Jaguar. Buying from the cash strapped Ford, Tata has now recorded massive net profit in JLR section.
Year 2009. When most of the Indian private companies were surprising the world with one after the other big acquisitions, state run Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) also expanded its arm, and this time again it was UK! In January 2009, ONGC bought U.K. firm Imperial Energy for $2.1 billion. It was one of the biggest foreign acquisitions by ONGC Videsh (OVL), which is the overseas arm of ONGC. OVL successfully holds stakes in various parts of the world, notably the Gulf, Latin american and Siberia.
Year 2010. In mid 2010, In one of the largest coal mines deals by an Indian group, Adani Enterprises, in a cash and royalty deal, acquired the Australian coal assets of Linc Energy for US$2.7 billion.
In the same year, Bharati Airtel, India’s largest telco also became world’s fifth largest telecom company after acquiring African assets of Kuwait’s Mobile Telecommunications Co., Zain. Apart from its massive Indian subscribers, this deal provided Bharati Airtel additional 180 million customers in 18 countries and annual revenue of $12.4 billion
Flowing in the spirit, Sahara India Pariwar in late 2010 controversially bought iconic Grosvenor House hotel in London for 470 million pounds (around Rs 3,250 crore), which gave it a considerable stronghold in the global hospitality business. Sahara India Pariwar had been losing businesses in India, Sahara airways, one of them. Sahara is also known for sponsoring various Indian and Bangladeshi sports team.
Talking about sports, Venky, flagship company of Venkateshwara Hatcheries Group bought Blackburn Rovers, 135-year old English premier division football club which however could not keep club’s fans happy.
Pedro Moreno de los Ríos, partner at Parangon Partners explains “One of the great advantages of Indian executives, compared with their Chinese counterparts, is their knowledge of Anglo-American culture. Another advantage is the greater openness that India has enjoyed when it comes to foreign capital”. He further added, “Indian managers tend to have an international approach, and “India is [even] exporting managers to China.”
Peter Cappelli, George W. Taylor Professor of Management at The Wharton School and Director of Wharton’s Center for Human Resources says, “They [Indian Companies] are aware that there are markets that have not been exploited, and they want to take advantage of them, but not if foreigners get one hundred percent of the profits,” explains Peters. He further adds, “That way, they guarantee that India will not be sold off to foreigners.” He says India and Indian companies are giving more important to their development and are open to foreign companies to gain expertise, technology and funding while maintaining control. “India wants to create its own companies and brands, while China leaves the road wide open to foreign companies,” says Peters.
India, which is third largest economy in terms of GDP (PPP) knows that it needs a stable economy if it is dreaming of becoming a super power in every manner. A strong economy, jobs, education, food security and political stability will help India excel in the path which it has already chosen. A number of foreign acquisitions like these have helped Indian companies gain expertise, technology and management lessons which will help this country shape even more global brands in the future. Companies like Tata, Birla, Reliance and Jaypee are also determined to structure better education in India through their state of the art institutions of technology. Foreign acquisition did bring some jobs to India and more importantly India has secured and has been securing some of the key resources field around the world, that will keep feeding its giant economy in a long run.
Industrial surface treatment depends on careful control. During powder coating, liquid painting, anodizing, electrocoating, plating, and similar processes, certain sections of a component must remain untouched. Threads, contact points, holes, edges, and assembly areas often require protection so that the finished part can function correctly without additional cleaning or reworking.
This protection is achieved through industrial masking products designed to resist heat, chemicals, repeated handling, and demanding production conditions. Selecting the right solution helps manufacturers obtain cleaner finishes, maintain dimensional accuracy, reduce defects, and keep production moving efficiently. Standard components can address many recurring applications, while custom designs provide a practical answer when complex geometries or specialized requirements make conventional products unsuitable.
Industrial masking solutions for surface treatments
Global Mask designs, manufactures, and commercializes masking products for companies involved in industrial coating, metal finishing, and surface treatment. Its range supports processes such as powder and liquid coating, anodizing, electrodeposition, plating, and cataphoresis, where reliable protection is required throughout application, curing, and finishing.
The company combines standard masking components with made-to-measure developments created for specific parts and production environments. Its products include silicone plugs, caps, tapes, discs, tubes, sheets, profiles, cords, hooks, and other protective elements. This broad selection allows production teams to match the masking method to the component, treatment, temperature, and expected manufacturing volume.
Standard components for recurring production needs
Standard masking products are useful when manufacturers work with common hole sizes, threads, tubes, studs, or flat areas. Silicone caps and plugs can protect internal and external surfaces, while tapes and discs cover defined sections that must remain free from paint or coating. Tubes, profiles, sheets, and cords provide further options for parts with less conventional dimensions.
Because industrial finishing often involves elevated temperatures, masking materials must remain stable during both application and curing. A properly selected component should maintain its fit, prevent coating from reaching protected areas, and be removed without damaging the surrounding finish. Consistent masking supports repeatable results across long production runs and helps limit corrective work after treatment.
Custom rubber masks for complex components
Standard products cannot address every shape, particularly when components contain unusual openings, several protected areas, or surfaces that must be covered simultaneously. In these situations, custom rubber masks can be developed around the exact dimensions, geometry, treatment method, and working conditions of the application. Global Mask produces tailored solutions ranging from special tape shapes to complex molded rubber and silicone parts.
These customized products are intended to fit directly into the customer’s production process rather than requiring operators to adapt a generic component. The company’s capabilities include molded silicone parts, silicone cutting, and 3D silicone printing, allowing different manufacturing methods to be considered according to the design. A purpose-built mask can protect several areas at once while simplifying placement and removal.
How a customized masking project is defined
The development process begins with a clear understanding of the part and its treatment conditions. Dimensions and geometry determine the physical design, while the coating method influences the choice of material and construction. Working temperature is another essential factor because the mask must remain secure and stable throughout the complete surface treatment cycle.
Production volume also affects the recommended solution. A project involving a limited series may require a different manufacturing approach from a component produced continuously in large quantities. By evaluating these conditions together, the masking design can balance accuracy, durability, handling requirements, and repeatability without adding unnecessary complexity to the production line.
Flat surface masking and special tape shapes
Flat areas may require more than a rectangular section of conventional tape. Openings, logos, contact zones, mounting surfaces, and irregular edges often need a precisely shaped barrier. Global Mask manufactures die-cut tapes in customized forms using plotter cutting and die-cutting equipment, providing options for both short runs and high-volume production.
Precut shapes can improve consistency because operators do not need to trim every piece manually. They also make positioning more predictable, which is valuable when the same protected area must be reproduced across many components. Accurate tape geometry helps establish clean coating boundaries while supporting faster and more standardized application.
Choosing between reusable and single-use masking
The most suitable format depends on the treatment, part design, production frequency, and handling process. Tapes and discs are practical for many flat or lightly contoured surfaces, while reusable rubber or silicone masks may be more appropriate for repeated operations. Molded components can also provide a secure fit when the masking area includes several connected features.
Removal must be considered alongside installation. A product that can be positioned quickly but is difficult to remove may slow later stages of production. For that reason, an effective design considers the entire workflow, including preparation, coating, curing, cooling, mask removal, inspection, and reuse when applicable.
Hooks and suspension systems for coating lines
Masking products protect selected surfaces, but components must also be supported and transported throughout the finishing process. Global Mask supplies hooks, eyebolts, and related suspension accessories for holding parts during painting and surface treatment. Different hook formats allow manufacturers to select a configuration suited to the component’s weight, shape, contact points, and movement through the line.
The suspension system can influence both process stability and coating access. A properly supported part remains secure while allowing the coating to reach the intended areas. Contact points must also be planned carefully because they may require masking or may need to remain electrically conductive during certain treatments. Coordinating suspension and masking helps create a more orderly finishing operation.
High-temperature masking for wheel coating
Wheel finishing presents specific challenges because bolt holes and the rear hub area may need protection during powder coating. Global Mask offers reusable high-temperature rubber masks designed for these locations, along with discs, plugs, kits, and hooks intended for wheel coating applications.
Reusable wheel masks can provide a consistent fit across repeated cycles when they are selected for the correct wheel design and process conditions. Their defined shape supports accurate placement and protects functional areas from unwanted coating. This specialized approach is relevant to manufacturers and finishing companies that require reliable results while handling recurring wheel production.
Technical design for different industrial sectors
Global Mask serves businesses in industrial painting, metal finishing, and surface treatment, while its solutions are also used in automotive, railway, aerospace, sporting equipment, home appliance, electronics, and architectural applications. Each sector presents different combinations of materials, shapes, temperatures, coatings, and production volumes, so masking requirements can vary considerably.
The company supports these applications through in-house design and production, engineering guidance, customer assistance, and the development of masking proposals based on project requirements. Combining product knowledge with application-specific design helps manufacturers protect critical areas, reduce masking errors, and maintain dependable finishing results throughout their industrial workflow.
Running a business is a balancing act between managing today’s tasks and planning for tomorrow’s challenges – and getting that balance right is where you’ll find success. Future-proofing your business might sound like something from a sci-fi show or just one of those words that no one really understands or does, but in this case, it’s a real thing, and it’s a really important thing. You’ve got to be proactive, and the tools and systems you choose now can either set you up for long-term success, or leave you in your competitors’ dust, so you’ve got to get it right. With that in mind, keep reading to find out more.
Think Scalability
The tools you’re using right now might seem – and actually be, in fact – perfect for your current needs, but the question isn’t whether they’re working now (you wouldn’t be using them if they weren’t), but instead it’s whether they can grow with you. In other words, you’ve got to choose tools that won’t fall apart as your business grows, meaning you’ve got to start from scratch with new systems – when you’re growing your business, you’ll have enough on your plate without that as well.
For example, small businesses often rely on simple payment methods in the early days, and although they’re definitely convenient, as time goes on you’ll probably have to rethink things, especially if you’re growing. If you’re still relying on quick fixes, it’s probably time to stop using Zelle for payments because when it comes to business transactions, it doesn’t have the features and security of something more professional.
Automate Where You Can
What’s one of the most precious resources any business owner can have? The answer is time. So if time is so precious, why are you wasting it on repetitive tasks when you could be doing other things if you put some automation in place? Just think of all the time you’d free up if you automated your invoicing, social media posts, email campaigns, and so on – what could you do to make your business better with the time you save?
Not only does automation save time, but it also means there’s a lot less chance for human error to creep in, and that’s got to give any business owner lots of peace of mind and reduce their stress levels – and doing that is always a positive.
Stay Ahead On Cybersecurity
You might have noticed a few (and possibly the numbers are growing) headlines recently about big data breaches – it basically means that customers’ sensitive data has been accessed by hackers, and when that happens, those customers can have issues with identity theft, lost money, compromised passwords, and more.
That’s why it’s so important to invest in good cybersecurity if you want to future-proof your business and make it strong and trustworthy today. Strong firewalls, secure payment systems, data encryption, cloud storage, and good cybersecurity training for your team can go a long way to protecting your business and your customers, meaning it’s going to last a lot longer and get a good reputation too.
EDC gear includes products that have become indispensable for improving one’s quality of life. These are the tools and implements that can solve everything from simple daily tasks to being vital objects capable of saving lives.
Regardless of the lifestyle you lead, there are countless situations in daily life where you need a tool or item that helps resolve inconveniences or facilitates completing tasks. This is where the category of products known as EDC (Every Day Carry) comes into play. EDC includes a variety of items that are necessary in unexpected moments.
For these tools to truly be useful in daily life, they must be durable and of high quality. For this reason, it is highly recommended to choose selected EDC gear by Onibai.com, an Italian brand with extensive experience in selling this kind of exclusive everyday carry equipment. The brand offers a wide selection of well-crafted, durable products that meet the demands of everyday carry needs.
Knives: essential for multiple situations
Knives, or EDC blades, are among the most essential tools in any EDC kit. In fact, they are often seen as a symbol of someone who is prepared, practical, and functional. Whether it’s opening packages or envelopes, cutting cords or ropes, or other simple daily tasks, a suitable knife can make these activities much easier. Additionally, a good knife can serve as a means of self-defence in case of sudden attacks.
Over time, the design of knives has evolved and diversified. Daily-use knives are now specifically designed for lighter cutting tasks, such as those mentioned earlier. Tactical knives, on the other hand, are made for more intense scenarios. They are stronger and reinforced, often designed for high resistance or self-defence situations.
Urban knives, tailored for city dwellers, are built to meet the needs of individuals in modern environments, so they often feature sleek finishes that complement contemporary lifestyles. Another popular category is multi-tool knives, which are designed to handle a variety of tasks. These knives have the resilience and sturdiness of a 3-inch blade while also fulfilling the precision requirements needed for various EDC tasks.
Other essential EDC products
In addition to knives, there is a wide range of other EDC products that are indispensable in daily life. One of these is, undoubtedly, a reliable wallet. A well-designed wallet needs to be robust enough to withstand daily use while keeping essential items like bank cards, identification documents, and more, safe and in good condition.
Flashlights are also vital components of any EDC kit. These tools are incredibly useful in many situations, particularly in dark environments or emergencies where additional lighting is critical. When selecting a torch, factors such as battery life, size, portability, and brightness should all be taken into account.
Purses, fanny packs, or backpacks also play an essential role in everyday carry. These items are where people store the various EDC products described above. They usually come with several compartments and are available in different sizes and materials, depending on the person’s style and daily activities.
Other items that are part of an EDC kit include beads and cords, Velcro patches, bottle openers, multi-functional key organisers, as well as durable, long-lasting, and stylish pens that adapt to any situation and lifestyle.
An interesting category of EDC products includes stress-relief toys for adults, which provide a means of alleviating daily stress. Popular options in this category include fidget spinners, fidget sticks, stress-relief sliders, poker chips with buttons, and mechanical coins. These items not only serve as a source of relaxation but can also be a fun and effective way to manage anxiety and tension during the course of a busy day.
In conclusion, EDC gear is not just a set of tools but a lifestyle that reflects preparedness, practicality, and a proactive approach to the uncertainties of everyday life. The more equipped you are, the more empowered you will feel in facing the challenges that arise.
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Industrial masking products improve surface finishing
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