India’s Gainwell Engineering, already a part of Caterpillar’s dealer network, has signed a technology licensing agreement with Caterpillar allowing it to manufacture medium- and high-seam room and pillar to support demand domestically and beyond.
Under the agreement’s terms, Gainwell will also supply aftermarket spare parts and offer service support to existing Cat R&P and highwall miner products.
Gainwell, headquartered in Kolkata, will be establishing a plant on 35 acres in Panagarh, West Bengal, to back its new capabilities. The US$70 million facility will manufacture select models of continuous miners, face haulers, roof support carriers, scoops and multi-utility vehicles as well as feeder breakers and highwall miners under the Gainwell brand.
“We are excited to contribute to a strong industrial manufacturing base in India. Along with our products, services and solutions and people on the ground, we are dedicated to build customer value while helping the customers solve their toughest mining challenges,” said Sunil Kumar Chaturvedi, chairman and managing director for Gainwell Engineering.
“With the acquisition of the IP license from Caterpillar, our main priority at this stage will be to ensure that our customers experience a seamless transition as we continue to deliver the range of innovative products and exceptional support they have come to expect from Caterpillar.”
Denise Johnson, group president of resource industries for Caterpillar, added: “We are pleased to transition the medium- and high-seam underground room and pillar equipment, as well as aftermarket licensing, to Gainwell.”