Menlo Park, June 21: Katerra, a technology company revolutionizing the design and construction industries, and KEF Infra, an offsite manufacturing technology specialist, announced a merger today that will jointly expand their geographic reach, manufacturing capacity, and market expertise. Known as KEF Katerra, it will operate in the India and the Middle East markets.

Both companies employ a vertically integrated model, offering end-to-end building services enhanced by offsite manufacturing and enterprise technology. In addition to addressing housing needs, KEF Katerra will be actively engaged in building critical infrastructure such as hospitals and schools.

Founded in 2014, KEF Infra utilizes robotics and automation in its advanced manufacturing operations to deliver high quality building projects more quickly and efficiently. The industry-leading expert in factory made products such as pre-cast concrete, prefabricated bathroom pods, joinery and furniture and aluminum and glazing facades for the Indian and Middle East markets, KEF Infra has 1,400 employees and factories in Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu and Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh in India. With the merger, Katerra will bring world-class pre-cast concrete technologies to the U.S. market, greatly expanding design and materials options for U.S. clients. At the same time, the merger will result in a more robust global supply chain and elevated manufacturing processes in existing KEF markets.

Katerra employs more than 2,000 people with operational factories in Greater Phoenix, Arizona and Shanghai, China, as well as two more U.S. factories in development. After the merger, there will be 20 offices worldwide and 3,400 employees.

“We are thrilled to merge with KEF Infra, a company that is truly a disruptor,” said Michael Marks, chairman and co-founder of Katerra. “It’s incredible to discover a team so aligned with our values and vision.”

“I am very excited by the prospects of this strategic alliance,” said Faizal Kottikollon, founder and chairman of KEF Infra. “We look forward to breaking new ground with such a like-minded team.”

About Katerra

Katerra is a technology company optimizing every aspect of building development, design and construction. With leaders from the most groundbreaking technology, design, manufacturing and construction companies, Katerra transforms how buildings and spaces come to life. Founded in 2015, Katerra has a growing number of domestic and international offices, factories and building projects. For more information, visit www.katerra.com.

About KEF Infra

KEF Infrastructure India Pvt. Ltd. or KEF Infra, a wholly owned entity of KEF Holdings PTE, was founded in India in 2014 by successful entrepreneurs Faizal Kottikollon and Shabana Faizal, who wanted to bring state-of-the-art infrastructure creation to India. The company is a technology-driven building manufacturing company that is dedicated to transforming the way that buildings and basic services are created and delivered in India by revolutionizing production, using world-class technology.

Courtesy: businesswire.com

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Mumbai, May 5: The BJP has written to the Election Commission of India seeking action against Congress and the opposition leader, Vijay Wadettiwar, for allegedly peddling lies and defaming its Mumbai North Central nominee and ex-26/11 prosecution lawyer Ujjwal Nikam.

Wadettiwar, the leader of the opposition in the Maharashtra legislative assembly, purportedly called Nikam an "anti-national" and accused him of hiding the information that then Maharashtra ATS chief Hemant Karkare wasn't killed by Kasab's bullet during the 26/11 terror attack, but fell to a bullet of a policeman affiliated to RSS.

His allegations were based on the book "Who Killed Karkare" written by retired police officer SM Mushriff.

"As a responsible leader, the opposition leader should desist from making such comments that can help the enemy nation," Nikam said.

Terming Wadettiwar's statements as "false and not based on facts", Mumbai BJP president Ashish Shekar claimed they were aimed at defaming Ujjwal Nikam and inciting emotions.

"We have written to the Election Commission of India seeking action against Wadettiwar who is a star campaigner (of Congress) and also against the Congress party for peddling lies," he added.

Shelar further said (Ajmal) Kasab was sentenced to death for killing innocent people after following a due process of law.

Kasab was the lone terrorist who was captured alive by Mumbai Police during the 26/11 terror attack by Pakistani terrorists in which at least 166 people were killed and several others were injured.

Shelar wondered whether Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray supported the statement made by the Congress leader.

A former special public prosecutor, Nikam had represented the state in high-profile cases like the Mumbai serial bomb blasts and the 2008 Mumbai terror attack.

He is making his political foray from Mumbai North Central seat on a BJP ticket and is pitted against city Congress chief Varsha Gaikwad.