Jamshedpur: The city-based Tinplate Company of India is undertaking an expansion programme to make it more globally competitive.

TCIL managing director B.L. Raina said: "Our turnaround strategy has been successful. For the last two years we are operating at 115 per cent of our capacity utilisation. Our target is to increase the capacity utilisation to 130," Raina added.

Raina had played a decisive role in turning around this ailing company, which is now planning an expansion.

He said the expansion programme of TCIL is in its nascent stage. "We are thinking of expanding to increase the production of the company," he said.

Five years ago the company was on the verge of being referred to the Board for Industrial and Financial Reconstruction (BIFR). Even the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had at that time declared TCIL as non-performing asset (NPA).

The MD said the company is aiming to produce 1,25,000 tons of tinplate per annum within a year's time and double the production capacity. "We have to increase the volume to remain globally competitive," he added.

TCIL, which did not export till 1997, is now exporting about 30 percent of its products across the globe. "Our goal is to increase the percentage of export to 40 percent to different countries," Raina said.

Emphasising that TCIL would continue to enhance the quality of the products, the TCIL MD said the Tata Business Model (TBM) has become the secret of the success for the company.

"TBM has helped us a great deal in our pursuit for total quality. It has enabled us to make records jump," Raina said.

He added that the company has sought technological assistance from the French tinplate company, USINOR.

Raina said TCIL is likely to tie up with Ahmedabad National Institute of Design where the latter would work as consultant in redesigning of cans.

"Our thrust is to make lightweight cans that are cost-effective and is a metal packaging solution for processed edible products," he added.