Bharat Forge Navigates Global Headwinds, Defence Orders Provide Strong Tailwind in FY2025

Bharat Forge

Bharat Forge, one of India’s leading automotive component suppliers, has demonstrated resilience in its standalone financial performance for the fourth quarter and full fiscal year 2025, navigating global headwinds while capitalising on robust growth in its defence sector business.  The company showcased a steady performance despite challenges in certain international markets.

For Q4 FY2025, Bharat Forge recorded standalone revenues of INR 21 billion, with an EBITDA of INR 6 billion, translating to a healthy EBITDA margin of 29.1 percent. The company also reported a Profit Before Tax (PBT) of INR 4.9 billion.

For FY2025, Bharat Forge reported standalone revenues of INR 88 billion, a marginal dip of 1.4 percent compared to the INR 89 billion recorded in FY2024. Despite this slight decrease in revenue, the company managed to improve its profitability, with EBITDA at INR 25 billion (EBITDA margin of 28.5 percent) and PBT at INR 19 billion, both showing a marginal improvement compared to the previous fiscal year. The company also highlighted a strong balance sheet with cash on books of INR 26 billion.

The company stated that FY25 Revenues remained flat despite weakness in European CVs, mixed performance in export PV business. Oil & Gas recouped from the lows of FY24 while Defence displayed steady growth.

At a consolidated level, Bharat Forge reported revenues of INR 15.1 billion in FY2025, remaining relatively flat compared to the INR 15.6 billion in FY24. However, the company saw a significant improvement in consolidated EBITDA margins, rising from 16.4 percent to 18.2 percent.

A significant highlight of the year was the strong order inflow, particularly in the defence sector. During Q4 FY25, the company secured new orders worth INR 43 billion, including a substantial INR 34 billion towards the ATAGS order. As of March 2025, the defence order book stood at a robust INR 94 billion. For the entire fiscal year, the Bharat Forge group secured new orders worth INR 69 billion, with the defence sector accounting for an impressive 70 percent of these new wins.

The company also highlighted the strong performance of its ferrous castings business, which witnessed significant growth with revenues increasing by 23 percent, EBITDA by 35 percent, and a doubling of profits compared to FY2024. Key return ratios for this segment exceeded 20 percent.

Looking ahead to FY2026, Bharat Forge outlined its strategic focus on improving consolidated profitability through several internal actions. These include reducing losses in the e-mobility vertical, evaluating options for the steel business in Europe, improving operational performance in the aluminium business, leveraging North American manufacturing footprint and focusing on new business wins across traditional forgings, defence, aerospace and castings. The company also anticipates the integration of the AAM India business in FY2026, which is expected to further enhance its product portfolio and presence in the Indian market.

Sriram Viji Appointed President Of ACMA India, Anjali Singh Named President-Designate

ACMA India

The Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA), the apex body representing component manufacturers in the country, has appointed Sriram Viji, Managing Director, Brakes India, as President for the 2026–27 term.

The industry body also named Anjali Singh, Executive Chairperson of ANAND Group and Gabriel India, as President-Designate. 

Vinnie Mehta, Director General, ACMA, said, “We are delighted to welcome Mr. Sriram Viji and Mrs. Anjali Singh to their new roles. Their rich industry experience and strategic vision will guide ACMA as the sector navigates geopolitical uncertainty and the evolving mobility landscape. I am confident that their leadership will strengthen our engagement with Government and industry partners to diversify supply chains, improve access to critical raw materials and enhance India’s global competitiveness.” 

Sriram Viji, President, ACMA, said, “It is an honour to lead ACMA as India strengthens its position as a trusted partner in global automotive value chains. Our priority is to deepen local capabilities and accelerate investment in advanced technologies, R&D and innovation, while embedding sustainability across the industry. As electric, connected and new-energy mobility create fresh opportunities, we must move beyond adapting to change to shaping it. Together with our members, we will work to position India as a global hub for high-value manufacturing and next-generation mobility solutions.”

MAHLE Starts E-Compressor Production In India

MAHLE

German automotive supplier MAHLE has established an e-compressor production facility in Coimbatore, which it claims makes it the first company to manufacture the component in India.

The German firm has invested EUR 7 million in the site to produce e-compressors, which regulate thermal management, battery life, charging speeds and driving range in electric vehicles.

The production line has a capacity of over 300,000 e-compressors annually to supply domestic and international vehicle manufacturers. The launch creates 50 jobs, aligning with the Indian government's ‘Make in India 2.0’ manufacturing initiative.

The Coimbatore facility already produces starter motors, alternators, controllers and traction motors for two-wheelers and three-wheelers. Following the setup of an R&D facility in 2023 for product validation, MAHLE has outlined plans for women to represent 75 percent of the plant's total workforce by 2027.

The company entered India in 1958 through a piston manufacturing joint venture and now has expanded its operation across 15 locations in the country with 5,900 employees.

Ivan Lenehan, Vice-President, MAHLE Powertrain and Charging, India, China & East Asia, said, “India continues to play an increasingly important role in the global mobility transformation. This facility strengthens our presence in one of the world’s most dynamic automotive markets and reinforces our commitment to sustainable mobility solutions.”

Milind Mhaiskar, MD, MAHLE Electric Drives India, said, “This production facility underscores our focus on localisation and customer-centric innovation. The success of this project reflects the dedication of our teams and our collaborative approach with business partners.”

Imperial Auto Appoints Sandeep Bathla As Chief Global Operations Officer

Sabdeep Bathla

Delhi NCR-based fluid transmission provider Imperial Auto has appointed Sandeep Bathla as its new Chief Global Operations Officer.

In his new role, Bathla will oversee manufacturing operations and direct programs to update automation, expand production capabilities and streamline supply-chain networks across company facilities. He will report to Vikram Wagh, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Imperial Auto.

Bathla brings over three decades of industry experience to the role and previously served as Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer at Plasser India, following management roles at Blue Star, Motherson Sintermetal Technology and Eicher Tractors. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering from NIT Kurukshetra and a PhD from European International University, Paris.

Vikram Wagh said, “As Imperial Auto continues to scale its operations and strengthen its position in global markets, building a future-ready and high-performing manufacturing organisation will be critical. Sandeep brings extensive experience across manufacturing and the automotive industry, along with a strong understanding of operational excellence. His leadership will be instrumental in enhancing our manufacturing capabilities, improving responsiveness and creating greater value for our customers.”

The executive change aligns with Imperial Auto's plans to expand its international manufacturing footprint and engineering capabilities.

Ambarish Gupta

Tier 1 automotive supplier Lumax Auto Technologies, part of the DK Jain Group, has further strengthened its management team by onboarding Ambarish Kumar Gupta as the new Vice-President – Operations.

Gupta comes with over two decades of experience in the automotive industry, with senior roles across financial operations.

The industry executive has worked with the likes of Forvia Faurecia, Marelli, Brose, Magna Steyr, Infosys, L&T Technology Services, BlueBinaries Engineering & Solutions and PGUB Management Consulting, among others.

In his new role, he will be responsible for advancing futuristic automotive electronics, strengthening operations and making the company future-ready.

Gupta will also support Lumax Auto Technologies’ innovation, technology and operational excellence roadmap.