Bilfinger Berger to invest Rs 600 crore to expand business in India

MUMBAI: Riding high on India's growth story in the infrastructure sector, German engineering and services provider Bilfinger Berger plans to invest nearly Rs 600 crore in the next few years and is eyeing strategic acquisitions to expand its business in the country.

"We have set up ambitious strategic development goals over the coming years by expanding presence through acquisitions," company's Chairman Roland Koch said, adding, "We intend to invest about Rs 600 crore over the next couple of years."

The acquisition of Neo Structo Construction and Spetech Plant Equipments ("Neo Structo") represents an initial milestone in the German company's objective of strengthening its commitment in Asia, he said.

"Surat-based Neo Structo has an extensive customer base in Indian industry. Through this, we gain greater access to the company's global customers which operate production facilities of their own in the country," Koch said.

Neo Structo will also be increasingly integrated into these customers' international projects outside India, he said.

Koch further said, "We view India as a market with immense growth potential driven especially by the petrochemical and chemical industries.

"With the acquisition earlier this year of engineering specialist Tebodin, which has been operating in Chennai since 2007, we already have a further foothold in the country. On the basis of Tebodin's existing client relationships, further expansion in the Asia-Pacific region is planned."