Though Swagelok products are already being used by the local companies, local marketing network will offer easy access and price competency, he said. Multinationals operating in the country are also the target consumers, he said, adding that these companies are conventional clients of Swagelok and would like to be served by the local offices which is not only economical but also saves delivery time.

Swagelok's clientele in the country include ONGC, Bharat Petroleum Corporation, Enron, Mico, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation, Gas Authority ofIndia, Pepsi Foods and the National Thermal Power Corporation.

The company manufactures and markets fluid system components such as tube fittings, valves, tube velding systems, microfittings, and high pressure valves which are widely used in sectors like oil and gas, power generation, semiconductors, chemical and petrochemical, said AC Gupta, country manager.

The product which are widely used in the core sector projects has a large market in the country, he said. Initially, with four marketing centers the company will be able to cater to consumers all over the country, he said, adding that subsequently more such centres will be opened. The company will soon appoint a sales and service partner to be located in Calcutta, primarily to serve the Eastern region.

The service partners are also trained to provide customers with complete technical information and service support during engineering procurement and construction phases, said Pradip Kamat, director business development. This has been done in theline of company's global strategy to provide service and support to clients worldwide.

Swagelok intends to be a value-added partner to large and small manufacturing enterprises in the country, said Kamat. The country has a well-developed industrial base and the market has a huge growth potential, he said.

The company's marketing network that will primarily cater to the domestic market, would also serve as a hub for its expansion plans in South East Asia. "We hope to leverage the inherent need in Indian industry to capitalise on the cost-benefit advantages of installing products in the country," said Kamat.