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.

Jean-Luc Terrasse Appointed CEO Of Valeo Light Division & Group Executive VP

Jean-Luc Terrasse

French tier 1 supplier Valeo has announced the appointment of Jean-Luc Terrasse as the CEO of Valeo Light Division and Group Executive Vice-President, effective 1 July 2026. He succeeds Maurizio Martinelli, who is set to retire after spending close to 26 years at Valoe.

In his new role, Terrasse will report to Christophe Perillat, CEO of Valeo, and will also join the Executive Committee.

Terrasse has held leadership roles in operations across Europe and South America during his three-decade career. He first joined Valeo in 1989 and has served in business units including Engine Management Systems, Body Electronics and Special Lighting Products. In 2016, he became Vice-President of Valeo’s Wiper Systems group.

During his career, he has worked with the likes of Alstom Grid, Johnson Controls Automotive and Safran.

Christophe Perillat, said, “The LIGHT division plays a key role in our strategic plan ELEVATE 2028, through its road map towards profitable growth and the promise of a safer mobility. Jean-Luc has extensive knowledge of the market and a deep knowledge of Valeo’s culture and industrial excellence. I am fully confident that in his new role as CEO of the Valeo Light Division and Group Executive Vice President, he will continue driving international growth and be invaluable as we continue to pioneer the future of automotive security and comfort.”

“On behalf of the Group, I warmly thank Maurizio Martinelli for his 26 years of dedication to Valeo, notably as CEO of Valeo Light Division. Maurizio played a key role in building our technological leadership. We thank him for his exceptional impact and wish him a very happy and well-deserved retirement,” said Terrasse.

Knorr-Bremse To Showcase Zero-Emission Technologies At IAA Transportation 2026

Knorr Bremse

German component supplier Knorr-Bremse will present technologies for zero-emission commercial vehicles at the IAA Transportation 2026, Hanover. The company aims to provide system solutions to help manufacturers reduce CO2, noise, oil and particulate emissions.

The company is set to showcase Electric Vehicle Motion Control (eVMC), wherein the software is designed to optimise energy recovery through brake control within the Global Scalable Brake Control (GSBC) system.

A Electric Power Steering (EPS) system scheduled for launch in 2027 that operates on a power-on-demand principle to reduce energy consumption.

An oil-free electric air supply system designed for efficiency across various vehicle platforms. The Multi Tumble Piston (MTP) Compressor is set to debut at the IAA Transportation 2026.

A eSilencer component developed to lower noise emissions from pneumatic braking systems to 68 dB(A).

Lastly, a liquid-cooled Power Resistor (iMEP) system intended to provide braking performance independent of battery state.

Bernd Spies, Member of the Executive Board, Knorr-Bremse, said, “Zero emissions in road transport remains our clear goal. At the same time, we see very different paces and framework conditions for this transformation around the world. In this environment, Knorr-Bremse is a stable and reliable development partner for commercial vehicle manufacturers. We bring together technology, regulations, and cost-effectiveness – with flexible system solutions on the path to zero-emission commercial vehicles, without compromising on safety and performance.”

To address the EURO 7 standard, Knorr-Bremse has developed wheel end technologies, including the SYNACT disc brake family. These systems feature Active Caliper Release (ACR) and an NVH toolbox to manage noise and fuel consumption.

Pradhyumna Ingle Succeeds S Sunil Kumar As Country President For Henkel India

Pradhyumna Ingle - Henkel

German multinational chemical company Henkel has announced the appointment of Pradhyumna Ingle as Country President for India. Based in Navi Mumbai, he will lead the company’s growth strategy, market expansion and innovation initiatives.

Pradhyumna will balance his new responsibilities with his existing global leadership roles within Henkel Adhesive Technologies, where he serves as: Global Head – Infrastructure Protection & Repair and IMEA Head – Manufacturing & Maintenance.

He succeeds S. Sunil Kumar, who has led Henkel India for the past five years and will now relocate to Dubai to oversee strategic projects for the IMEA region alongside his duties as Director of Packaging for IMEA.

The company says Pradhyumna comes with over 25 years of leadership experience across multiple regions, including the Asia Pacific, North America and the Middle East & Africa. He has rich experience in driving acquisitions, digital business models and high-performance organisations.

Ashraf Elafifi, IMEA President, Henkel, said, “Pradhyumna brings a unique combination of global perspective, deep market understanding, customer-centricity, and proven leadership in driving transformation and sustainable growth.”

Pradhyumna highlighted the potential of the Indian market, noting that Henkel is positioned to contribute to sectors such as infrastructure, mobility, electronics and energy.

“I am excited to work with our talented teams across India to further strengthen our market position, expand our local innovation capabilities, and deliver sustainable growth for our customers, employees, partners, and communities,” said Pradhyumna.

Feintool Opens First India Production Facility In Pune

Feintool Opens First India Production Facility In Pune

Switzerland-based international technology and market leader in electrolamination stamping, fineblanking and forming company Feintool has officially inaugurated its first manufacturing site in India, located in Pune.

The facility, which has begun ramping up production, is designed to support the local automotive market with high-precision fineblanked components. The company had earmarked an initial investment of CHF 15 million (approx USD 19 million) towards the facility, which will produce seat adjusters for various major automotive manufacturers in India.

The company has adopted a ‘local-for-local’ approach, allowing it to supply automotive customers directly within the Indian market. This move is intended to reduce reliance on long-distance supply chains and respond to the growth of India’s automotive sector, which is the third-largest in the world.

Lars Reich, CEO, Feintool, said, “Feintool is proud to meet its customers’ demand for local production in India with the facility in Pune. We are in the right place at the right time to benefit sustainably from the momentum in the Indian automotive industry and to capitalise on further opportunities in the growing industrial markets in India.”

Initial operations at the Pune site are focused on the production of fine-blanked automotive seating systems. However, the facility is designed to support future expansion into additional core technologies, including cold forming, e-lamination stamping (for e-motor cores) and hydrogen applications.

Tobias Gries, Managing Director, Feintool India, said, “We have established a strong team in India. With Feintool’s global expertise, we are now ramping up production in Pune—starting with fineblanked automotive seating systems. Looking ahead, we are ready to expand into cold forming, e-motor core production and even hydrogen applications. The plant is fully prepared for further expansion as demand develops.”

This new site joins Feintool’s network of 18 production facilities across Europe, Asia, and the United States.