Eaton Corporation has named Uday Yadav as vice president and general manager of the company’s Hydraulics Operations in the Asia Pacific region. Yadav will report to William VanArsdale, Eaton vice president and president-Hydraulics Operations and will be located in Shanghai, China. In this role, Yadav will oversee the sales, marketing and operations infrastructure for the company’s Hydraulics Operations in the Asia Pacific region. 

Yadav joined Eaton in 1994 and most recently was vice president, Supply Chain Management, Fluid Power Group. In addition, he has led the Global Hose Division and Eaton’s Hydraulics Operations in India while also serving as Eaton country manager for India. Additionally, he held leadership positions in the Fluid Power Group's Automotive Fluid Connectors (AFCO) business and the former Aeroquip European Operations. Prior to joining Eaton, he worked with Lucas Engineering and Systems in the U.K.

PTC has introduced Pro/Toolmaker 8.1, a stand-alone software application that provides multi-CAD support to enable fully associative, reliable NC toolpath programming for Pro/Engineer and other CAD systems. Pro/Toolmaker is part of the PTC Product Development System (PDS) and as a result is able to provide a unique connection between product design and manufacturing.

Ashok Leyland has entered into a joint venture with the Alteams Group, Finland, to manufacture High Pressure Die Casting (HPDC) aluminum products predominantly for the automotive and telecommunications sectors, subject to various corporate and statutory approvals as may be required. The 50:50 JV is expected to synergize Ashok Leyland’s experience and expertise in the automotive sector with Alteams’ know-how of HPDC and their insights into telecommunications sector. 

“Apart from a fusion of the respective strengths of both the partners, the JV reflects the expansion of Ashok Leyland Group’s presence in the auto components sector to take advantage of rapidly growing opportunities both in India and abroad,” said R. Seshasayee, managing director, Ashok Leyland. “We are already present in the foundry business through Ennore Foundries. This JV broadens our portfolio to meet the demand of castings from the automotive and telecommunications sectors”, he added. Panu Routila, CEO, Alteams Group stated,”This JV notably strengthens Alteams’ opportunities to serve clients in Asia. We are very happy to be able to start co-operation specifically with Ashok Leyland. A JV with such an important player in the automotive industry boosts our expertise.” 

The JV will commence activities in 2007 and Phase I will be completed by 2008 at an investment of over Rs. 1.75 billion. At the completion of Phase II in about 5 to 6 years, which will overlay and extend beyond Phase I. The JV will achieve a turnover of Rs 6.5 billion with a total investment of Rs. 3.35 billion and will generate employment, directly and indirectly, in excess of 1,000. The manufacturing facility in Phase I has been planned in Tamil Nadu and the JV will produce components for the telecommunications sector such as those fitted in the transmission and receiving equipment. It will also partly meet Ashok Leyland’s captive requirements for components for engines and gearboxes. In Phase II, the JV will enhance its product portfolio with HPDC components for automotive sectors including passenger cars and for non-automotive applications as well. The target markets will extend beyond India.