SANY India Inaugurates Factory Expansion At Pune Facility

SANY India Inaugurates Factory Expansion At Pune Facility

Leading construction equipment manufacturer SANY India has inaugurated a new factory expansion at its 90-acre manufacturing facility in Pune, representing a major step forward for localised manufacturing and increased production capacity in India.

The new facility has a strong fabrication capacity of over 100,000 metric tonnes annually in addition to an annual production capacity of over 14,000 units. These skills put SANY India in a position to effectively meet the growing needs of the mining, energy and construction industries both domestically and internationally while preserving operational precision and flexibility. This reaffirms SANY's dedication to the Indian market and to making India a worldwide centre for sourcing.

Emphasising the strategic importance of the expanded facility, Xiang Wenbo, Chairman, SANY Group, said, "This new factory represents a significant step forward in our commitment to delivering world-class products with utmost precision. By incorporating the latest manufacturing technologies, we are positioning ourselves to meet both the challenges of today and the demands of tomorrow." India is a key operational base for SANY's international operations and a pillar of the company's worldwide strategy, he said, underscoring the country's long-term potential.

Deepak Garg, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, SANY India, said, "The inauguration of our new factory expansion represents a significant leap in SANY India's manufacturing capabilities. This facility also supports our commitment to the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Make in India’ by enhancing exports to key markets and driving increased localisation in our manufacturing processes. These efforts not only boost India’s manufacturing prowess but also strengthen our role in the nation's infrastructure development story."

Himadri Exports First Liquid Coal Tar Pitch Shipment To Middle East From New Mangalore Port

Liquid Coal Tar Pitch

Himadri Speciality Chemical (HSCL), a leading supplier of speciality chemicals and advanced carbon materials, has announced the successful execution of its first liquid coal tar pitch export shipment to the Middle East from its terminal at the New Mangalore Port.

The consignment, totalling 3,600 tonnes of liquid coal tar pitch, was shipped from Himadri’s terminal, confirming the company’s operational capabilities and supply chain resilience in executing high-volume exports to international markets.

This shipment from the western coastline opens a second export corridor for Himadri, alongside its established terminal at Haldia on India’s eastern coast. This development further strengthens the company’s ability to cater to industrial demand across key global regions, particularly the Middle East and the Americas.

Liquid coal tar pitch is a raw material used in aluminium smelting, graphite electrode manufacturing and other high-temperature industrial applications where performance, purity and stability are crucial. The completion of this shipment highlights Himadri’s technical expertise and manufacturing capability to meet the requirements of global heavy industries.

Anurag Choudhary, Chairman & Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Himadri Speciality Chemical, said, "This first-ever coal tar pitch shipment from New Mangalore Port to the Middle East is a defining milestone for Himadri and underscores India’s growing presence in the global carbon materials ecosystem. It reflects our capability to deliver large-scale, high-quality exports while reaffirming our steadfast commitment to reliability, consistency and operational excellence. This reflects the confidence global markets have in our products and capabilities. As we continue to expand our international footprint, we remain firmly focused on reinforcing India’s position as a trusted and dependable supplier of advanced carbon materials."

Building on this, Himadri has articulated an expansion strategy, with the objective of becoming a leading player in the global coal tar pitch market. The company will focus its international expansion in the Middle East and the Americas, where demand for carbon materials continues to rise, driven by growth in aluminium production, infrastructure development and energy-intensive industries.

Enhanced capacity planning, strengthened export corridors, diversified port utilisation and a targeted market outreach programme will support this strategy across these regions. Himadri aims to establish itself as a long-term supplier by leveraging its integrated manufacturing capabilities, technical know-how and sustainable production practices. The company said it continues to invest in quality systems, infrastructure optimisation and supply-chain resilience to ensure consistent delivery and scalability.

AIFI Hosts Session On Emerging Technology In Forging Sector

AIFI

The Association of Indian Forging Industry (AIFI), the body representing India’s forging sector, organised a Session on ‘Emerging Technology in Forging’ in Bengaluru. The session brought together industry leaders, technology experts and forging professionals to discuss how innovation, automation and digital transformation are reshaping the future of the forging ecosystem. The event aimed to spotlight opportunities that new-age technologies offer for enhancing operational efficiency, productivity, and sustainability within the sector.

The session began with remarks by Vivek Bansal, Director, Bansal Precision Forge. This was followed by a presentation by Senthil Kumar R, Nasscom Centre of Excellence – IoT & AI, on how Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and automation are reshaping the forging industry. He highlighted use cases and the relevance of connected manufacturing.

This was followed by a session on ‘Driving Digital Transformation in the Forging Sector’ by Dr. Amit Goyal and Dr. Manju Gupta from BizSol Technologies. Their presentation showed how ERP systems, digital integration and data intelligence are enabling forging companies to transition into the Industry 4.0 era with agility and efficiency.

Ajit Gaikwad, Yeskolube India, spoke on the ‘Importance of Forging Die Lubricant’ and its role in productivity and die life. The presentation by Ramakrishna D, Orb Energy, focused on ‘Powering Indian Enterprise with Solar,’ highlighting how renewable energy adoption is becoming an advantage.

Yash Munot, President of The Association of Indian Forging Industry (AIFI), said, “At AIFI, our priority has always been to empower the forging industry with knowledge, capability, and a clear roadmap for the future. As the sector enters a new phase driven by digital and technological advancement, it is essential that our members understand and adopt these innovations at the right pace. This session reinforces AIFI’s commitment to enabling industry-wide transformation through meaningful collaborations, continuous engagement with technology leaders, and creating platforms that help our members stay globally competitive. We remain focused on strengthening India’s forging ecosystem and ensuring it continues to play a pivotal role in the country’s industrial and economic progress”.

Vedanta Aluminium Doubles Electric Forklift Fleet To 142 Units

Electric Forklift

Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminium, has announced the expansion of its lithium-ion battery powered electric forklift fleet to comprise 142 units. This expansion, which more than doubles the previous total, supports the company’s commitment to green logistics.

The transition to electric forklifts aligns with Vedanta’s commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and the goal of decarbonising its Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) fleet by 2030.

The 142 electric forklifts have been deployed across the company's operations in Odisha and Chhattisgarh. At its Jharsuguda smelter alone, where 116 forklifts operate, the initiative is expected to eliminate approximately 4,450 tonnes of CO2-equivalent greenhouse gas emissions annually and reduce diesel consumption by 1.63 million litres each year. The transition also enhances workplace safety and boosts operational efficiency through faster charging and lower maintenance requirements.

Rajiv Kumar, CEO - Vedanta Aluminium, said, “At Vedanta Aluminium, we view sustainability as more than a commitment, it is a catalyst for transformation. Our expanded electric forklift fleet is a testament to what becomes possible when we invest in technologies that benefit both our operations and our planet. This milestone has not only strengthened our environmental efforts but has also created new pathways for greater inclusion in industry roles that were once considered inaccessible to women.”

The initiative has created new opportunities for inclusive growth, with several forklifts operated by women and transgender professionals, reinforcing the company's commitment to equality. This includes the deployment of India's first 10-tonne capacity electric forklifts at the Jharsuguda smelter operations.

Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Attains 2 Million Unit Production Milestone

Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Attains 2 Million Unit Production Milestone

Skoda Auto Volkswagen India (SAVWIPL), one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has attained a new production milestone of rolling out its 2 millionth unit in the country.

The milestone marks a pivotal moment in the company’s 25-year history in the country. This achievement follows the Group's strongest commercial performance, with October 2025 being its most successful month since the Group's formation. The total includes over 500,000 vehicles built on the MQB-A0-IN platform, which was developed in India by local engineering teams. This platform supports the Skoda Kushaq, Slavia, Kylaq and the Volkswagen Taigun and Virtus.

The last 500,000 units were produced in just 3.5 years, reflecting demand for India-built products.

Interestingly, Skoda Auto India recorded its highest-ever 10-month performance, more than doubling year-on-year to 61,607 units in 2025. Volkswagen India recorded its highest-ever monthly sales for the Virtus during Diwali, with the model holding over 40 percent share in the premium sedan segment in 40 months.

During the year, the Group’s premium and luxury brands also contributed to its market position:

  • Bentley launched Bentley India, an operational division within SAVWIPL, accompanied by new showrooms in Mumbai and Bengaluru.
  • Porsche India added over 4,400 customers over the past six years and expanded its footprint to 13 points of sale.
  • Audi strengthened India’s EV ecosystem with over 6,500 charging points installed under Phase II of the segment-first Charge My Audi initiative. The Audi Approved: plus segment posted 5 percent growth between January and September 2025.
  • Lamborghini delivered its best-ever annual performance in 2024, delivering 113 cars, a 10 percent increase over 2023. The launch of the Temerario in India completes Lamborghini’s hybrid transition in line with its Direzione Cor Tauri strategy.

Piyush Arora, CEO & Managing Director, Skoda Auto Volkswagen India, said, “Every milestone we achieve in India reflects our strong belief in the country’s potential – not just as a market but as a driving force in the future of mobility. The 2-million mark is the outcome of consistent investment in people, technology and local capability. It also speaks to the exceptional trust Indian customers place in our six brands. Indian buyers are among the most informed and discerning in the world. They evaluate every strength and every limitation before choosing a Volkswagen, Škoda, Audi, Porsche, Lamborghini or Bentley, and their confidence strengthens our resolve. This achievement highlights how closely we listen to our customers and how their evolving expectations shape the products we design and build here, with the same quality, precision and trust that define the Group worldwide.”

Going forward, exports will continue to remain a key pillar of the Group’s operations, with more than 700,000 vehicles shipped from India to markets across Latin America, Africa, Southeast Asia and the Middle East, strengthening India’s emergence as an export hub.

The Group operates facilities in Pune and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar. The Pune plant was established with an investment of nearly €600 million to support higher volumes and deeper localisation.