Valvoline Cummins Ltd., a joint venture formed in 1998 between Ashland Inc. and Cummins India Ltd., announced last week the opening of a new manufacturing and packaging plant in the Ambernath Industrial Area, near Mumbai. The new facility will produce Valvoline automotive lubricants for the consumer, industrial and heavy-duty markets. Built on 10 acres, the new $30 million plant expands the Valvoline brand's in-house production capabilities. "Western India is a manufacturing hub that has the largest consumption of industrial lubricants among all regions," said Sam Mitchell, president of Ashland Consumer Markets, a commercial unit of Ashland Inc. and the producer of Valvoline branded products. "We are excited about the growth opportunities provided by this new manufacturing and packaging facility. We believe that investing in technology and innovation helps deliver what our customers need - a competitive advantage in a growing market."