Graziano's Greater Noida facility reopens

Italian company Graziano Transmissioni today reopened its Greater Noida facility amid tight security.

It had been closed following last week's killing of its CEO Lalit Chaudhary in an attack by workers.

Employees said about 100 workers, mostly hired on contract, arrived in the vehicles of their contractors in the morning and left by 6 pm.

Work was confined to a single shift unlike earlier when it used to go on till night. Apart from these workers, about 200 office staffers also worked today.

There were about 60 policemen and almost an equal number of private security staff. The Uttar Pradesh police was posted in the premises and outside.

About 150-odd permanent workers who were suspended by the company have been accused of taking part in the attack that killed the former managing director.

While over 100 are in judicial custody, the rest have gone underground.

The company said in a statement that 100 employees were on-site and working energetically with the management to meet customers' needs. It said the company planned to reach its full production capacity as soon as possible.

"This shows tremendous resilience on the part of our workforce and an unwavering commitment to our customers," said Marcello Lamberto, segment CEO of Oerlikon Drive Systems, the Swiss group which owns the company.

"I am proud of their dedication and service. We now expect that all necessary steps are being taken by the local authorities," Lamberto added.

The company noted that increased security measures had been implemented by Graziano. "A full investigation has been launched by the local law enforcement and we have engaged our own security firm to ensure that our employees are safe," said Uwe Krüger, CEO of the Oerlikon Group.

"We are not willing to lose ground due to this malicious act of violence, but will continue to expand, bringing highly-qualified and well-paid jobs to India," Lamberto concluded.