The story
The wet grinder replaced the hand-turned stone used in South Indian kitchens to make batter. Coimbatore makers combined local stone-cutting skill with the city's motor-making base. The product spread to homes, hotels and exports, and many small assemblers grew around a few leading brands. The Coimbatore Wet Grinder became one of India's first registered Geographical Indications in 2006.
In numbers
Coimbatore Wet Grinder is a registered GI (application filed 14-03-2005, certificate dated 30-01-2006), filed by the Coimbatore Wet Grinders & Accessories Manufacturers Association; registration valid up to 13-03-2035.
GI Registry — Coimbatore Wet Grinder, application 26 · 2024A Tamil Nadu Wet Grinder Industry Cluster common facility centre in Coimbatore is listed as completed under MSE-CDP.
Completed Common Facility Centres under MSE-CDP (as on 22 Mar 2024), Office of DC-MSME · 2024
GI tag
- Coimbatore Wet GrinderApplication no. GI Application No. 26 (Certificate No. 23)GI Registry, Intellectual Property India — application 26
Ways in for a newcomer
- Assembly of compact grinders for urban and export markets
- Supply of drums, stones, motors and belts to grinder brands
- Commercial grinders for hotels and batter-making units
- Service and spare-parts network in other states
Problems the cluster faces
- Competition from mixer-grinders and branded imports
- Dependence on one product and seasonal demand
- Quality of stone and motor parts varies between small makers
Businesses to start here
Electric Motor Winding & Rewinding Shop →Non-Ferrous Castings Foundry (Brass, Bronze, Gun Metal) →Instant Idli and Dosa Mix →