SMS group has marked a major step in its global expansion strategy with the official opening of its new manufacturing facility in Sanand, near Ahmedabad, on 21 January. The plant represents a significant investment in one of the world’s fastest‑growing steel markets and will support rising demand for equipment used in the processing of flat and long products, as well as forging technology. Around 160 SMS employees and up to 400 contractors will operate at the site, which becomes another key element of the company’s worldwide manufacturing network.
The inauguration was attended by more than 250 guests from industry and government. A ceremonial ribbon‑cutting and the lighting of a traditional Indian lamp were carried out by senior SMS executives from Germany alongside regional representatives, signalling the plant’s formal commissioning. The company says the new facility underlines its long-standing commitment to India and its intention to deliver advanced, locally manufactured solutions for customers across the region.
Covering 80,000m
2, the Sanand plant is SMS’s second manufacturing site in India and complements its first facility in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, which opened in 2014. The new complex is equipped to produce components weighing up to 125 tonnes and to assemble complete production lines. While Bhubaneswar specialises in metallurgy and service-related machinery, the two sites together form an integrated manufacturing base designed to improve efficiency and extend the company’s product capabilities.
The investment also supports India’s ‘Make in India‘ initiative, launched in 2014, which aims to position the country as a major global manufacturing hub. Fabíola Fernandez, CFO and member of the executive board at SMS group said: “This investment strengthens our production base in India for plants and machinery and makes us a first-class supplier. It is an important step toward expanding our presence in this significant growth market and actively supporting the industrial upswing in the country. Steel production in India currently stands at around 150 million tons per year and is expected to rise to 300 million tons in the coming years. At SMS group, we want to provide our local customers with the best possible support in the form of first-class equipment and outstanding service.”
Local presenceMarco Asquini, CEO of Region APAC & MEA and managing director of SMS India Pvt Ltd, added: “We are proud to establish another manufacturing site in Sanand, India, embedding SMS quality with German roots: modern manufacturing equipment, disciplined quality processes and deep engineering know‑how form the backbone of this new facility. With our local presence and reliable, punctual execution, we aim to actively support the government’s goal of increasing steel production to around 300 million tons per year. We thank our customers for their trust and take the responsibility to minimise risk and deliver reliable production outcomes very seriously.”
Sanand was chosen for its strong industrial base and its proximity to many of SMS’s key customers, enabling the company to respond quickly to specific requirements. The region offers established infrastructure, including stable energy and water supply, as well as access to skilled labour. The site’s location also supports efficient delivery of SMS‑produced components to customers both within India and internationally.
The company plans further development at the new plant, with additional investments in advanced machinery and skilled personnel. This aligns with SMS’s long-standing presence in India through its predecessor organisations. Mannesmann’s Indomag Steel Technology was established in 1989, followed by SMS Schloemann‑Siemag’s formation of SMS India in Mumbai in 1994. After the merger of Mannesmann Demag and SMS Schloemann‑Siemag in 1999, the Indian entities also consolidated. SMS has since expanded steadily across the country and now employs around 1,700 people across the country.
Today, SMS operates offices in Gurgaon, Kolkata, Pune, Bhubaneswar and Sanand, with its Indian headquarters in Gurgaon near New Delhi. Its workforce provides expertise in sales, design, project management, electrical engineering, automation and service, supporting the full range of SMS technologies — from coal and ore processing to Paul Wurth blast furnaces, strip treatment lines and forging systems, for both new installations and modernisation projects.