India is a key strategic market for Hexagon: Jason Walker

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India is a key strategic market for Hexagon: Jason Walker

India is a key strategic market for Hexagon: Jason Walker

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Apr 29,25

In this interaction with Rakesh Rao, Jason Walker, VP, General Manufacturing Practice Lead, Hexagon, sheds light on the factories of the future and importance of India for Hexagon.

India is a key strategic market for Hexagon: Jason Walker

The future of manufacturing is considered to be intelligent, interconnected ecosystems where every process, machine, and individual works in a cohesive digital environment. Making this transition possible is Hexagon AB - the Sweden based multinational industrial technology company. In this interaction with Rakesh Rao during Hannover Messe 2025, Jason Walker, VP, General Manufacturing Practice Lead, Hexagon, sheds light on the factories of the future and importance of India for Hexagon.

How is Hexagon supporting the growth of the manufacturing sector?

Hexagon is a global leader in digital reality solutions, providing a wide array of technologies that support industries in their transition to intelligent and connected ecosystems. Hexagon is a €5 billion company with approximately 25,000 employees worldwide. I belong to the Manufacturing Intelligence division, which is the largest of Hexagon’s business units, contributing about €2 billion annually and comprising more than 9000 employees.

Our division focuses on discrete manufacturing, serving industries such as automotive, aerospace, energy, and medical devices. We cover the full spectrum of the product lifecycle. This begins with design and engineering, moves through to production with our CAD/CAM solutions, and finishes with inspection. Our initial presence in manufacturing was established through metrology, where we developed expertise in both hardware and software. This includes advanced laser scanning, non-destructive testing solutions, and traditional touch-probe systems like coordinate measuring machines (CMMs).

How does Hexagon help manufacturers navigate challenges like tariffs, technology shifts, and global market access?

This is a very relevant concern for today’s manufacturers. One of the biggest barriers we see to digital transformation is what I like to call ‘choice paralysis’. Manufacturers are faced with a dizzying number of technology options. Many of them already have a patchwork of systems in place and often do not know which direction to take next.

Our approach is to simplify this landscape. Hexagon's open, cloud-based platform Nexus serves as a digital connective tissue that links and optimises the various technologies already in use within a company. Whether a manufacturer is dealing with design data, machine operations, or inspection outputs, Nexus allows these systems to communicate and function more effectively together. It gives manufacturers the flexibility to innovate while protecting the investments they have already made in existing technologies.

How is Hexagon adopting the ‘digital factory as a service’ model to stand out in the market?

The traditional notion of a digital factory often involved a static 3D CAD model of the facility. We have moved far beyond that. Hexagon offers digital factory solutions that are built on real-world scan data, capturing the exact physical conditions of the factory. This can range from a basic point cloud for visualisation purposes to advanced models used for interactive simulation and planning.

This allows manufacturers to plan physical changes digitally. For example, when we deliver an automated inspection cell to a client, we first simulate its placement within the facility to ensure it fits, works within the spatial constraints, and integrates smoothly with existing infrastructure. This digital pre-validation significantly reduces on-site delays and errors.

In addition, we integrate IoT functionality by tagging assets with sensors. This is particularly useful for companies with multiple sites. It allows them to monitor equipment performance in real time across different locations and even conduct virtual walkthroughs. The result is improved consistency, faster troubleshooting, and more informed decision-making at the enterprise level.

Is this kind of digital factory solution primarily suited to large corporations, or can it also benefit small and medium enterprises (SMEs)?

At present, we are seeing the most traction among large, multi-site manufacturers. These companies have complex operations and derive immense value from having a unified digital view of all their facilities. However, the benefits of this approach extend well beyond the large enterprise segment.

There is considerable potential for small and medium-sized enterprises to adopt digital factory solutions, and we are actively working to refine the offering to meet their unique needs. It is essential to ensure that the solutions are scalable and cost-effective for SMEs. While large OEMs often receive attention, the reality is that the majority of our customers are SMEs. These are businesses that range from five-person shops to tier-one suppliers with a few hundred employees. We are committed to helping them take practical, incremental steps toward digitalisation.

How important is the Indian market for Hexagon?

India is a key strategic market for Hexagon, and our presence in the country has grown significantly over the past few years. We have invested in local manufacturing capabilities for metrology and inspection equipment, aligning closely with the goals of the Make in India initiative. Our goal is not just to serve the Indian market, but to make India a hub for innovation and development that supports our global operations.

While Indian customers have access to Hexagon’s globally developed and manufactured technologies, we also produce equipment within India. In October 2024, Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence introduced ENSPEC — a new multidimensional coordinate measuring machine (CMM) and Hexagon’s first metrology product made in India. Designed to meet the specific needs of Indian manufacturers, ENSPEC features cutting-edge, future-ready technology. We also plan to export ENSPEC to international markets.

We have built strong local teams, expanded our workforce, and introduced advanced solutions like Nexus in the Indian market. We also work closely with a network of trusted partners who bring valuable domain expertise and help us deliver tailored solutions to a wide range of customers, including SMEs.

Given that India has a large base of SMEs and relatively low levels of automation, do you see this as a challenge or an opportunity?

We see it as a tremendous opportunity. India has a large, young, and increasingly skilled workforce, but there is a pressing need for continuous up-skilling and training. Automation and digitalisation can complement this workforce by taking over repetitive, low-value tasks, allowing human workers to focus on higher-value, more complex activities.

Rather than replacing people, we see automation as an enabler of human potential. It helps businesses increase output and quality while giving employees more fulfilling and intellectually engaging roles. In this way, digital transformation can improve both productivity and job satisfaction.

What are your future plans in India?

India continues to be a major area of focus for us. Our Asia-Pacific business contributes around 42 per cent of Hexagon’s total revenue, and more than 10 per cent of that comes from India. Beyond the commercial figures, India plays a central role in our R&D and software development activities.

We have made significant investments in manufacturing infrastructure, and we are committed to growing our footprint in the country. This includes expanding our local teams and capabilities so that we can deliver best-in-class solutions for both the Indian market and our customers around the world.

What technologies do you believe will be most disruptive in the manufacturing sector?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is certainly at the forefront of this transformation. However, what excites us is not AI in isolation, but how it integrates with physical systems. When AI is combined with robotics, automation, or design platforms, it creates highly adaptive, intelligent manufacturing environments. For example, we are using AI to optimise inspection processes, predict maintenance needs, and enhance quality control. These AI-enhanced systems can reduce waste, improve accuracy, and respond more quickly to changes in production requirements. AI is not just a trend. It is becoming embedded in every layer of the manufacturing workflow and is already reshaping how decisions are made and executed.

What is your long-term vision for the Indian manufacturing industry?

We believe the future of manufacturing lies in creating intelligent, interconnected ecosystems where every process, machine, and individual is part of a cohesive digital environment. Manufacturers need to move away from isolated systems and toward smart platforms that provide real-time insights and seamless communication.

At Hexagon, our mission is to make this transition as straightforward and impactful as possible. We aim to remove complexity, reduce risks, and accelerate the adoption of new technologies. India, with its dynamic industrial base, skilled talent, and digital ambition, is an essential part of this journey. We see it not just as a market, but as a partner in driving the next era of intelligent manufacturing.