Germany-based
Grob-Werke, a manufacturer of universal machining centres, assembly systems and automation solutions, has officially opened a new production plant in India. The new facility marks a further important milestone in the company's expansion strategy and underscores its commitment to the Indian market.
The machinery manufacturer laid the foundation stone for the multi-million-euro project on 4 May 2022, and is now celebrating the opening of the new plant in Bengaluru. Grob-Werke now has six production plants worldwide, in Germany, Italy, the USA, Brazil, China and India.
Florian Grob, CEO and chairman of the management board of Grob-Werke, said: “We are proud to have officially opened our sixth production plant in India to continue the expansion of the family-owned company. This marks the start of the Group’s development and expansion in the promising Indian market.”
The opening of the production facility reinforces Grob’s long-term commitment to India and the goal of making the most of the region’s dynamic growth potential, as well as advancing the company’s technological progress. Grob opened its first sales and service office in India back in 2007, but as the potential in India has continued to grow over the years, the machine manufacturer made the decision to expand its footprint with the construction of the new production plant.
Grob Group CEO German Wankmiller said: “Constructing a plant is completely different to establishing a sales and service branch. Not just due to the enormous investment, but particularly due to the need to bring the necessary expertise in matters of technology, quality, and reliability into the country.”
In total, around eight million euros were invested in the creation of the Indian plant, which is situated on an 860,000ft
2 property with hall space covering around 53,000ft
2. The company now employs 130 staff at the new site. For a number of years, the Grob Group has been combatting global skill shortages with qualified Indian specialists and engineers, who are employed in specific areas in Mindelheim (Germany) and Bluffton (USA). A total of 40 to 50 Indian specialists are now employed at its headquarters in Mindelheim, with around 30 expected to be employed in Bluffton in the future.
‘Win-win’ situationMr Wankmiller added: “Indian specialists are highly qualified and have a fantastic command of English.” He explained the ‘win-win’ situation for the huge demand for specialists in the Grob Group who will not just be supporting the global plants but who will also be deployed back in India following intensive induction and training. The company already has plans to lease an office complex in Bangalore in the autumn of this year to house engineers and software specialists. This workforce will not just be working for Grob India, but will also provide engineering and software services for other sites worldwide.
Grob has now been present in the Indian market for many years and has become an established partner for OEMs and Tier One suppliers and sees huge potential in the future, particularly in the supply of universal machining centres in the aerospace segment. The region around Bengaluru plays an important role in this respect as it is home to many customers and suppliers.
Grob CSO Christian Müller concluded: “We expect strong growth in the coming years. The automotive industry in India is currently still focused on conventional drives, but we already offer various e-projects in the country, particularly as we are in direct contact with India’s largest automotive manufacturers in TATA and Mahindra.”