India’s first toy cluster has potential to generate 25,000 direct jobs over a decade. To catapult country into the big league of global toy makers
Koppal, Karnataka, January 9, 2021
Aequs celebrated the groundbreaking for India’s first toy cluster today. Promoted by Aequs SEZ Private Ltd., in partnership with the Government of Karnataka under the state’s Product Specific Industrial Cluster Development Program, a first of its kind initiative in India, the Koppal Toy Cluster is being set up at an investment of Rs 4000 crore.
The 400+ acre toy manufacturing ecosystem will house over 100 units with a potential to generate over 25,000 direct jobs apart from 100,000 indirect jobs over the next decade.
Hon’ble Chief Minister of Karnataka, Shri B. S. Yediyurappa, his cabinet colleagues and other senior officials of the Government of Karnataka and dignitaries participated in the groundbreaking ceremony.
“This is a momentous occasion as the Koppal Toy Cluster, which is India’s first, is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of vocal for local and boosting toy manufacturing in the country. With the ecosystem to support the toy cluster in place, the Aequs’s Koppal Toy Cluster will have world class infrastructure and generate thousands of jobs,” said Mr. B. S. Yediyurappa.
“This initiative to set up a sector-specific toy manufacturing cluster in Koppal is bound to attract greater investments in the industry. Aequs, with the setting up of a world-class manufacturing ecosystem, will enable the industry to grow exponentially through investments. I would like to convey my heartiest congratulations to Aequs on this landmark occasion,” said Mr. Jagadish Shettar, Minister of Large and Medium Scale Industries, GoK.
The establishment of the Koppal Toy Cluster is a definitive step towards generating thousands of direct and indirect jobs in the region. Further, the cluster comes with a number of reforms and incentives for the toy manufacturing industry, which will not only provide a conducive business environment, but propel the Indian toy manufacturing industry to greater heights,” said Mr. Gaurav Gupta (IAS), Additional Chief Secretary, GoK.
“Today’s groundbreaking for the toy cluster is a moment of pride for us as we look forward to this new journey to build India’s indigenous toy manufacturing capacity and capability to cater to not just the local, but also the $80 billion global market for toys. The market for toys in India is estimated at $1 billion annually but nearly 60% of it is met through imports,” said Aravind Melligeri, Chairman, Aequs Group. Slated to be operational by the end of the year, the Koppal Toy Cluster will be one of the quickest executed projects ground-up to commencement of operations in India, he added.
The campus has been designed to house an entire toy manufacturing ecosystem comprising the Special Economic Zone (SEZ), Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) and the Free Trade Warehousing Zone (FTWZ). Designed to global standards, the campus will support the entire manufacturing value chain. It also facilitates training and need-based skill development apart from social infrastructure and residential accommodation for the workforce within the same complex to enhance ease of operations.
Koppal offers strategic location advantages with efficient connectivity to major trade hubs like Hubballi and Bengaluru, a good business environment, and abundant workforce making it an ideal destination for the labour-intensive toy units.
The project represents the Government’s drive to provide world-class manufacturing facilities within the state by providing an atmosphere that is congenial to doing business, easing regulatory requirements, providing financial incentives, and affordable workforce and skilling initiatives.
Several global and local reputed toy makers and OEMs have evinced keen interest in sourcing from the Koppal Toy Cluster for the global markets. Coinciding with the groundbreaking today, six strategic MoU’s were signed in relation in establishing their manufacturing facilities in Koppal Toy Cluster, totalling revenue potential of $450 million plus over the next five years. The MoUs demonstrate the strong commitment of the industry to the Koppal Toy Cluster.
Details of the MoU’s signed:
| Party | Investment |
| Aequs Force Consumer Products Private Limited (AFC) – A joint-venture with GFT, China | $ 80 Mn |
| Aequs Engineered Plastics Private Limited | $ 60 Mn |
| Micro Plastics Private Limited, India | $ 40 Mn |
| Playgro Industries Private Limited, India | $ 15 Mn |
| Sterling New Horizons Private Limited, India | $ 10 Mn |
| Hotshot Tooling and Engineering Limited, Hong Kong | $ 6 Mn |
About Aequs
Aequs is a global manufacturing ecosystem developer catering to unique global sourcing requirements. It specializes in creating sector specific clusters that deliver seamless vertically integrated product manufacturing solutions for global customers. It is currently focused on aerospace and consumer sectors. Headquartered at Belagavi, Karnataka, where it operates a Special Economic Zone (SEZ), Aequs clusters employ over 6,000 resources and operate manufacturing facilities across India, France, and the USA.
About Aequs SEZ Pvt. Ltd.
A division of Aequs INFRA, Aequs SEZ Pvt. Ltd., was launched in 2009 at Belagavi, Karnataka, India. It creates world-class infrastructure for manufacturing and engineering companies. It successfully anchors the pioneering Aerospace manufacturing ecosystem in the Aequs SEZ, at Belagavi, establishing India as a preferred supply chain solution destination for global aerospace players. The company has firmly established itself as a formidable infrastructure provider in India for domestic and global manufacturing and engineering players. With its state-of-art and scalable infrastructure, turnkey office spaces, built-to-suit facilities, fiscal incentives, and access to skilled resources, Aequs INFRA builds ecosystems that help companies be globally competitive.
Contact:
C Chitti Pantulu
Vice President, Marketing & Communication
Mob: +917795690653
Email: chitti.pantulu@aequs.com
B.B. Kotturshettar
Head of Department
School of Mechanical Engineering, KLE Tech.
Mob: +919243282898
Email: bbkshettar@kletech.ac.in