Tata in China
China is a critical and growing market for the Tata group, which has a bit of history with regard to doing business with the Middle Kingdom. In 1859, a young Jamsetji Tata, the founder of the Tata group, was sent to Hong Kong to open a branch for his father's banking firm. He relocated a few months later to Shanghai, where he remained till 1863.
Currently the Tata group has a fairly significant presence in China, with the number of companies and operations growing steadily. Tata companies employ over 2,600 employees in China, generated $3 billion worth of sales in the country and purchased goods and services worth $700 million in 2010.
Recognising the potential for high growth in existing businesses and opportunities for new ones, Tata Sons, the group promoter company, has set up representation in China. (Contact: James Zhan, group chief representative at
tatachina@tata.com).
Jaguar Land Rover Automotive Trading (Shanghai)
Jaguar Land Rover Automotive Trading (Shanghai) is the company that handles the China operations of Jaguar Land Rover (JLR). The company's main activities are the import and distributionof JLR's range of premium sedans and SUVs in China. Headquartered in Shanghai, the company has a corporate office in Beijing, three distribution facilities (a fourth one to be opened soon) and two technical training academies.
JLR China sells its exclusive range of products through a distribution network of approximately 60 dealers, providing sales and service coverage across the country. In 2010, it sold approximately 26,000 units in the country, making it the third largest market for Jaguar Land Rover in the world. Given its size and maturity, China has the potential to become JLR's largest global market within the next few years.
Nanjing Tata AutoComp Systems
Nanjing Tata AutoComp Systems (NTACS) was incorporated in 2007 as a 'wholly foreign-owned enterprise' of Tata AutoComp Systems. It is in the business of manufacturing automotive parts, specifically plastic injection-moulded components and sub-assemblies used in the interiors and exteriors of automobiles. This includes interior parts such as air vents and grab handles as well as external components such as cowl grilles and dash panels.
Among NTACS's customers are General Motors, Ford and Visteon. It also exports to General Motors in Europe. NTACS has its plant - which was set up in 2008 at a cost of $15.5 million - in the Jiangning Economic and Technology Development Zone in Nanjing. The plant has injection-moulding operations, a paint shop and various assembly lines.
The average age of the workforce is 24 years and the majority of them are women.
Tata Consultancy Services
Tata Consultancy Services pioneered the entry of the Indian IT industry into China in 2002, becoming the first wholly foreign-owned IT enterprise in that country. China is an integral part of TCS's Global Network Delivery Model™ which includes large delivery centres in India, Latin America, North America and Europe. TCS operates five global delivery centres in China (Beijing, Hangzhou, Tianjin, Shanghai and Shenzhen).
In 2005, TCS was invited by the Chinese government to form a joint venture to create a large-scale global offshoring base in China. The joint venture, supported by the National Development and Reforms Commission, leverages the strengths of the different partners in technology, software development and consulting, including the best-of-class processes and practices of TCS. TCS holds 75.64 per cent in the JV while the rest is held by local partners.
Ninety five per cent of TCS China's employees are locals, and it continues to hire talented engineers and IT professionals from surrounding regions and universities. TCS China has capabilities in providing services in nine different languages including English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Indonesian, Bahasa and Vietnamese.
Tata Projects
Tata Projects in China operates in sectors such as energy, power transmission and distribution; oil, gas and hydrocarbons; cement machinery; metal and mining machinery; telecom; and chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
It offers its global clients a range of services, including supplier evaluation and approval, pre-shipment inspection, field inspection, second-party and third-party inspection, and inspection under the Indian Boiler Regulation.
TRL Krosaki Refractories
A subsidiary of TRL Krosaki Refractories, TRL Krosaki Refractories China's operations are crucial to the overall prospects of the company as it provides an important product – Mag Carbon bricks – used in steel industries worldwide.
TRL Krosaki Refractories China is located at the Metallurgical and Chemical Industrial Park in Bayuquan, in the Yingkou Province of China.
Tata South East Asia
Tata South East Asia (TSEA), a subsidiary of Tata International (TIL), supports the sales and procurement requirements of Tata International and Tata companies which do not have a presence in China.
TSEA helps in sales and procurement of auto components, chemical and steel; sale of finished leather and mineral resources; and procurement of full shoes for Tata International and Tata companies. It also helps Tata companies in identifying business opportunities and ideal partners to increase their business. The company is based in Hong Kong with representative offices in Shanghai, Dongguan and Chengdu.
Tata Steel Asia
Tata Steel Asia continues efforts to establish itself as a strong contender in the chrome alloy business in China. It is in the business of marketing and selling ferro alloys and value-added minerals produced by Tata Steel group companies. Headquartered in Hong Kong, and with a representative office in Shanghai, the company has a small but dedicated team.
Tata Steel International
Tata Steel International's China operation is in the process of augmenting capacity and enhancing quality to compete with local players. Located in Shanghai, the company has three main areas of operations: sale of special products of Tata Steel Europe and of Tata Steel in India; global sourcing for Tata Steel's operations in India, Europe and Thailand; and trading from and for third parties.
TKM Global Logistics
TKM Global Logistics, a subsidiary of TM International Logistics in India, is in the business of international logistics and supply chain management. The company has a small team at its Shanghai office and is working hard to expand its market base and become a preferred brand in China.
Wuxi Jinyang Metal Products