Kirby India to set up 100,000-tonne steel building plant in Manapparai SIPCOT
Kirby Building Systems and Structures India, a subsidiary of Kuwait-based Alghanim Industries, has announced the establishment of a new manufacturing facility at the SIPCOT industrial estate in Manapparai, near Tiruchi. The ground-breaking ceremony for the project took place on Saturday, with company officials outlining plans for a large-scale production unit for pre-engineered steel buildings and structural steel solutions.
The proposed facility will be developed on approximately 33.2 acres of land and will have a built-up area of 8 lakh square feet. According to officials, the plant is designed to have an annual manufacturing capacity of 1,00,000 tonnes. Commercial operations are expected to commence by mid-2027, the company said.
Speaking at the press conference held in Tiruchi to mark the occasion, Waleed K. Alghanim, Chief Executive Officer of Kirby International, said the investment reflects the company's commitment to strengthening its presence in Southern India. “This investment is an important part of strengthening our presence in Southern India and bringing us closer to customers in one of the country’s most dynamic industrial regions,” he said.
Kirby India has been operating in the country for over 26 years and works with more than 150 certified builders. It currently runs manufacturing facilities in Hyderabad, Haridwar, and Gujarat. The new plant at Manapparai SIPCOT is expected to create skilling and employment opportunities for over 200 persons, according to officials.
P.V. Mohan, Managing Director of Kirby India, highlighted the local ecosystem as a key factor in choosing Manapparai. “The presence of noteworthy engineering colleges and the Welding Research Institute in Tiruchi makes Manapparai SIPCOT an ideal choice for us as we want to be a part of India’s growth story and take care of society at large,” he said.
The company is a leading provider of pre-engineered steel buildings (PEB), which are widely used in industrial, commercial, and infrastructure projects. The Manapparai facility is expected to cater to growing demand in the southern region, bringing the manufacturer closer to its customers and reducing logistics costs for projects across Tamil Nadu and neighbouring states.
Industry observers note that the investment comes at a time when the demand for steel structures in India is rising, driven by expansion in warehousing, factories, and large-scale commercial development. However, the company has not disclosed the total investment amount for the project.
The SIPCOT industrial estate at Manapparai is one of the industrial nodes promoted by the Tamil Nadu government to attract investment and generate local employment. With the addition of Kirby's facility, the region is expected to see further economic activity, including benefits for ancillary industries and service providers.
Officials said that construction would begin in phases and that the company would work with local authorities to ensure timely completion. They also emphasised that the project aligns with Tamil Nadu's broader industrial development goals, which prioritise job creation and skill development in semi-urban and rural areas.
Kirby's decision to locate the plant in Manapparai is also seen as a vote of confidence in the state's infrastructure and business climate. The availability of skilled labour, proximity to educational institutions, and established industrial ecosystem were cited as contributing factors by the company's leadership.
The announcement was made during a press conference attended by company executives and local representatives. No timeline for construction milestones beyond the expected commercial operations date has been announced.
