The story
Coimbatore's engineering base grew out of its textile mills, which needed repair shops, foundries and machine builders. Farmers in the dry Kongu region needed pumps to lift groundwater, and local workshops began making them in the early twentieth century. Big brands grew up here and hundreds of small makers and suppliers followed. Foundries, machine shops, winding units and panel makers now sit side by side, so a pump can be built almost entirely from local parts.
In numbers
Over 1,000 MSMEs in Coimbatore make 45% of the country's pumpsets.
Engineered for gains — Outlook Business (State of the Economy 2019) · 2019About 60% of India's requirement of domestic and agricultural pumpsets is made in Coimbatore.
UGC-listed article on Coimbatore pump industry — Dr T.S. Kavitha, NGM College · 2021COINDIA is a ₹60 crore cluster project for the pump, motor and foundry industry.
COINDIA sets up Rs 60 crore industrial infrastructure complex — Foundry Planet
Ways in for a newcomer
- Machining, winding or impeller casting as job-work for pump brands
- Assembly of solar pumps and motor-starter panels
- Pump servicing, rewinding and spare-parts trade in rural districts
- Testing and energy-efficiency rating services
Problems the cluster faces
- Price war with low-cost pumps from other states and imports
- Rising copper, steel and power costs
- Shortage of skilled machinists and winders
- Delayed payments from large buyers
Businesses to start here
Monoset Water Pump Manufacturing →Submersible Pump Set Manufacturing (Agriculture) →Electric Motor Winding & Rewinding Shop →Motor Starter Panel Assembly →Cooler Pump Manufacturing →Diesel Engine and Pump Set Repair →Non-Ferrous Castings Foundry (Brass, Bronze, Gun Metal) →