To expand production capacities at its three plants at Bangalore, Pune and Cochin (this last manufactures tools and dies for the other two plants), and for incremental investment in new customer-specific projects, AMP India has earmarked an investment of $12.5 million over the next two years. The company has already injected $12.5 million into its operations thus far.

In '98 (Jan-Dec), the wholly-owned subsidiary of the American AMP Inc - which was recently taken over by Tyco International - posted exports that made up 40 per cent of its Rs 50 crore turnover.

Exports and turnover were both up at 250 per cent of the previous fiscal's figures.

AMP India has a 100 per cent export joint venture in Pune with Leonische Drahtwerke AG called Automotive Wiring Systems Pvt Ltd that makes wiring systemsincluding harnesses for European car manufacturers. AMP has a 49 per cent stake in the venture.

AMP India managing director Samir Inamdar said the thrust areas for growth were the automotive, premise cabling and LAN systems (or PCLS), home appliances, communications and power sectors.

Currently, the company's focus is on the automotive sector, and with Telco's Indica fully wired by AMP, the company is in talks with vendors and auto majors in the country to expand its base.

The company is also eyeing a piece of the Euro II emission compliance action by playing vendor to a leading auto major. Company officials were, however, reluctant to disclose the names of the companies involved since the deal is yet to be closed.

Inamdar said although the power sector was still some way from attaining maturity, that would be one of the future focus areas for AMP which also makes connectors for high-tension lines.

Computer hardware manufacture too comprised mostly assembly operations, he pointed out, adding thatAMP would be unable in the near future to get the volumes necessary to make manufacturing for the domestic industry feasible.

AMP India financial controller and director for business development Revathi Ashok said the Indian subsidiary (which kicked off operations in 1995) would break even in a couple of years.