Indian lead-acid battery maker Amara Raja Batteries has opened a new trading base in the United Arab Emirates to expand sales across the Middle East.
The company told the Bombay Stock Exchange its new, wholly-owned subsidiary, Amara Raja Batteries Middle East, will operate from the Sharjah Airport International Free Zone trading in batteries and related products.
Amara Raja’s Middle East push came as the group, headed by chairman Ramachandra Galla (pictured), announced plans to consolidate all its businesses within a new corporate holding entity— RN Galla Family.
The new entity and Amara Raja Power Systems will result from the proposed “demerger” of Amara Raja Electronics, to which the group said its shareholding of Amara Raja Batteries has been transferred.
The group said the move, which must be approved by shareholders next month, will lead to a “stronger business focus on risk, return, and growth strategies”.
Amara Raja Batteries is the flagship company of the Indian group, in partnership with US-based Johnson Controls, with a turnover of more than US$225 million.