German automotive supplier Continental AG’s ContiTech arm will be focusing on its industrial segment in India, noted Chief Executive Officer of ContiTech Groupe, Phillip Nelles, during a visit to Kolkata.

Speaking to Motoring Trends exclusively, Nelles said, “ContiTech is doubling down on industrial applications, seizing opportunities amid India's multi-billion-dollar infrastructure and energy investments. With sweeping transformations underway, the company aims to cement its position as a leader in material-driven solutions. Our strategy is to focus on industrial sectors such as commercial vehicles, railways, construction and construction machinery, where we can deliver the highest impact.”

Picking up the sentiment, Hannes Friederichsen, Head of BA Industrial Solutions APAC, Continental AG, said, “We specialises in rubber, thermoplastic materials and rubber-metal bonded components, ensuring system-critical reliability for industrial clients. If a conveyor belt fails, it’s not just an inconvenience – it’s a system-critical disruption. That’s where we add real value.” 

The parent company recently announced plans to spin off its automotive division and Contitech’s OESL. While industrial applications remain the core focus, the company acknowledges that the automotive sector operates on a different business model, requiring a distinct strategic approach.

In focus

ContiTech's core industries in India include mining, ports, energy, cement, highway vehicles, heavy trucks and construction machinery. Additionally, the company has a plant in Pune for its surface solutions vertical, producing foils and surfaces for vehicle interiors and living environments. Having already established a strong presence in Europe and the Americas, the company is now investing in APAC, with India playing a central role in its regional strategy. 

The company operates a conveyor belt plant in Kalyani and another facility in Sonipat for power transmission belts and air springs. While specific investment figures were not disclosed, ContiTech plans to expand operations in both Sonipat and Kalyani, potentially diversifying the product portfolio in these locations.

“We’ve been laying the groundwork for major investments and are now scaling up with an expanded product portfolio and localised operations. In the commercial vehicle segment, we are focusing on air springs for trucks, trailers and buses, driven by increasing demand for comfort and tyre wear reduction. Additionally, we are exploring rubber-metal bonding systems for heavy-duty applications. The Pune facility remains a key part of this growth strategy, supporting increasing production volumes,” said Friederichsen.

The company is also eyeing opportunities in the motorcycle segment, particularly in seat coverings. As it expands, it plans to bring advanced technologies from its European and US operations into India, focusing on design, functionality and sustainability. 

“Sustainability is a growing priority, and we have the expertise to integrate recycled materials into our products. We’re also enhancing functionality with features like embedded buttons and translucent surfaces for interactive displays while ensuring that vehicle interiors reflect modern design trends,” noted Nelles.  

The company’s future innovations span beyond the cockpit, extending to seating, interior coverings and mid-arm components.

Another area of expansion is predictive maintenance services, aimed at identifying early warning signs for component replacement or repair. This initiative is expected to significantly reduce downtime and operational costs for industrial customers.

Additionally, ContiTech is actively involved in air springs for high-speed trains and metros. With India’s rapid rail infrastructure development, ContiTech is transferring its expertise to support high-speed and metro train projects.

Smart surface solutions

ContiTech is adapting its smart surface solutions portfolio for the Indian market. Commenting on the same, Friederichsen said, “Leveraging our material expertise, advanced design capabilities and expertise in living solutions, we're empowering our customers to design the car interior of the future. This includes the development of functional surfaces that bring the comfort and aesthetics of home interiors to future car interiors. Moreover, we're committed to sustainability, as evident from our first carbon-neutral product, XPRESHN - Carbon Neutral. We've also developed a comprehensive sustainability toolbox for our PVC products, catering to the diverse needs of our customers. Last year, we launched our Benova Eco Protect Line, a testament to our dedication to reducing environmental footprint.”

“In the commercial vehicle segment, our easy-to-clean surfaces, equipped with the staynu technology, are designed to enhance the well-being of truck drivers. By providing attractive cabin solutions, we are contributing to a better driving experience. In the Asia-Pacific region, we are observing a strong preference for translucent materials and super soft materials. We're well positioned to cater to these requirements, with a broad range of products that are generating significant interest among our customers,” he added. 

Alluding to the significance of his visit to Kolkata, he noted, “We have been in the Indian market for many years and we are constantly scanning the market to identify opportunities to grow. Kalyani plant remains in focus for us to expand Indian operations, and as we follow the principle of ‘in the market, for the market’, we are evaluating opportunities of extending our local product portfolio too.”

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Ludhiana-based auto components manufacturer Kay Jay Forgings has filed its Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). The proposed INR 3.6 billion initial public offering (IPO) consists of a fresh issue of equity shares up to INR 3 billion and an offer for sale (OFS) of up to INR 600 million by existing shareholders.

The company plans to deploy the net proceeds from the fresh issue for capital expenditure and debt reduction. It aims to invest INR 1.18 billion towards a new forging facility, a machining facility and a solar power plant. INR 900 million towards debt repayment and the remaining funds to be utilised for operational purposes.

The company may also consider a pre-IPO placement of up to INR 400 million, which would reduce the size of the fresh issue accordingly.

Kay Jay Forgings is a precision engineering company manufacturing machined components for automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). It also serves the farm equipment, mining, and home appliance sectors with a portfolio of 286 products.

The company claims it is the largest supplier of crankshafts and crankshaft assemblies to two-wheeler OEMs in India, with an estimated 36 percent domestic market share in FY2025. It operates 6 manufacturing units in Ludhiana, Punjab, and Hosur, Tamil Nadu. The company reported a customer rejection rate of less than 1 percent for the 6-month period ended 30 September 2025.

It maintains long-term relationships with several manufacturers, including a 37-year partnership with TVS Motor Company. Other clients include Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, Mahindra & Mahindra and Bajajsons.

Future strategies focus on diversifying into lightweight aluminium forged and machined components. These powertrain-agnostic parts are intended to help OEMs meet emission norms and improve fuel efficiency.

In terms of financial performance, the company reported revenue of INR 7.5 billion in FY2025, up 12 percent YoY, as against INR 6.72 billion a year ago. Net profit for FY2025 came at INR 290 million, up 20 percent YoY, as against INR 240 million a year ago.

For H1 FY2026, the company reported a net profit of INR 213 million. The global automotive forging market is projected to grow from USD 45.1 billion in 2025 to USD 65.8 billion by 2030, representing a CAGR of 7–9 percent.

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Avendus Capital has released a report on the Indian auto component industry, identifying a structural shift in global supply chains. The study projects that India’s automotive metal forming market – comprising casting, forging, stamping, and machining – will grow at a 12 percent CAGR to reach USD 90–95 billion by FY2030.

The report indicates that value within the global automotive supply chain is shifting toward process specialists rather than diversified product suppliers. These specialists rely on metallurgical expertise and precision tooling, creating high entry barriers.

The Indian auto component sector surpassed USD 80 billion in FY2025. India has transitioned to a net exporter, with exports reaching approximately USD 23 billion. Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and Tier-1 suppliers are diversifying sourcing bases to India due to geopolitical factors and cost competitiveness.

Core metal-forming processes remain essential for both Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) and Electric Vehicle (EV) platforms. As global suppliers reallocate capital toward electrification, the report suggests India holds a ‘last man standing’ advantage in ICE components.

India is positioned to fill the supply gap for critical drivetrain components, including crankshafts, gears and axles. With a global fleet of over 1.5 billion ICE vehicles, the segment also presents substantial opportunities in the aftermarket.

The sector is experiencing a consolidation cycle led by capabilities rather than just scale. Recent deal activity shows increased participation from global private equity firms and strategic acquirers focusing on export-oriented platforms with deep process expertise.

Koushik Bhattacharyya, Managing Director and Head, Industrials Investment Banking, Avendus Capital, stated, “The Indian auto component sector is moving beyond a scale-driven growth phase into a capability-led consolidation cycle. We are seeing a clear shift in value toward process specialists, where deep manufacturing expertise and operational precision are becoming the key differentiators. As global supply chains evolve, India is uniquely positioned to capture this opportunity, particularly in core metal-forming segments. We expect this to translate into sustained deal activity, as investors look to build scaled, capability-led platforms in the sector.”

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French tier 1 automotive supplier Valeo has inaugurated a new manufacturing line for electric powertrain systems at its facility in Lonikand, Pune. The line will produce integrated 3-in-1 e-Axles for Mahindra & Mahindra’s ‘Born Electric’ vehicle platform. The inauguration was attended by R Velusamy, President of Automotive Business at Mahindra and Mahindra and Xavier Dupont, CEO, Valeo Power Division.

The facility produces a 3-in-1 e-Axle system that integrates the electric motor, inverter and reducer into a single unit. This configuration is designed to improve efficiency and reliability while reducing the overall footprint of the powertrain.

The Pune plant's technical capabilities include automated lines for U-Pin or Hairpin winding technologies. Dedicated sections for reducer assembly and inverter production. The facility utilises automation, digital tracing and quality control systems for end-to-end monitoring of the assembly process.

Valeo has operated in India since 1997 and currently maintains six production sites across Chennai, Pune, Sanand, and Gurgaon. The company employs 7,500 people in the country, including an engineering workforce of over 3,750 focused on global research and development.

Xavier Dupont, said, “India is a key region in Valeo’s ‘Elevate 2028’ strategic plan. Our investments in Pune supports our commitment to deeper localization of advanced technologies in India. By localizing the production of our highly integrated 3-in-1 e-Axle systems, we are strengthening our ability to deliver advanced technologies to our customers and contributing to India’s transition towards safer, and more sustainable mobility.”

Jayakumar G, President, Valeo India, added, “The inauguration of this line marks an important milestone in Valeo’s journey in India. Our new e-Axle manufacturing line in Pune is a key step in our growth strategy. It reflects our commitment to bringing advanced technology solutions closer to our customers. We are proud to develop and manufacture this e-Axle for Mahindra’s Born Electric Vehicles and to contribute to the growth of India’s EV ecosystem.“

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Gujarat-based embedded electronics and power systems company Bacancy Systems has closed an INR 400 million Series A funding round led by Sabre Partners and Greenstone Capital, both of whom have acquired minority stakes in the firm.

The company intends to deploy the capital to scale manufacturing infrastructure, accelerate product development and expand into international markets. The funding will also support research and development (R&D) in two primary industrial segments:

Electric Mobility: Development of DC charger controllers and power electronics for EV original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and charging infrastructure providers.

Railway Electronics: Expansion into Train Control and Management Systems (TCMS), traction converter control systems, and remote monitoring platforms.

Founded in 2021, Bacancy operates at the intersection of hardware, firmware and cloud technologies.

Binal Patel, Founder and CEO, Bacancy Systems, said, “Closing our first fund raise is indeed a defining moment for Bacancy Systems. This milestone validates what we have believed from day one – that deep, purpose-built R&D in Electric mobility, Railways, is not just the future, but an urgent necessity, and local manufacturing of the same under the Make in India initiative is equally essential to empower India and build a reliable supply chain. With over two decades of industry experience, I am more confident than ever that the innovations we are building will define the next generation of India’s industrial backbone. This capital empowers us to push the boundaries of what’s possible in EV infrastructure, Railways, and beyond – and we are just getting started.”

Tanushree Agarwal, Partner, Sabre Partners, added, “Bacancy represents a compelling play on India’s electrification and indigenisation themes. The company has built strong capabilities in power electronics and controller systems, with a clear focus on IP-led product development. We believe Bacancy is well-positioned to benefit from the rapid growth in EV infrastructure and railway modernisation, and we are excited to partner with the management team to support the next phase of growth and scale.”

Paresh Thakker, Managing Partner at Greenstone Capital, stated, “Bacancy’s strong engineering capability and focus on indigenised embedded systems position it well within India’s evolving EV and railway electronics ecosystem. We are pleased to collaborate with the company in driving its upcoming phase of growth and transformation.”

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