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India is a strategic region for manufacturing and R&D: Norbert Gemmeke
Articles- May 20,26
Speaking to Rakesh Rao, Norbert Gemmeke, Sr VP Global Product Development, Project Management and Innovation at HARTING Technology Group, sheds light on energy storage, automation and regional manufacturing growth
Germany-based HARTING develops, manufactures and sells industrial electrical and electronic connectors, device terminations, network components, and cable harnesses. Norbert Gemmeke, Senior Vice President Global Product Development, Project Management and Innovation at HARTING Technology Group, spoke to Rakesh Rao on energy storage, automation and regional manufacturing growth.
What were the highlights of Harting’s at Hannover Messe 2026?
At this year’s Hannover Messe, we launched more than 25 new products across energy, digitalisation and connector design. A major focus is energy storage. Energy consumption is increasing across the world and industries. For the first time, we introduced our Han® S 450 Plus, the 450-A connectors suitable for enabling efficient generation, transmission, storage, and use of energy under high power and harsh conditions.
Digitalisation is another key area. Digital twins, product passport data for over 13,000 products, and intelligent engineering software accelerate design, enhance decision-making, and optimise procurement. The new configurators turn technical complexity into a clear, consistent process, streamlining progress from concept to order. These advances demonstrate how robust connectivity solutions combined with digital engineering enable faster, more efficient, and future-ready industrial energy and infrastructure applications.
What trends are shaping the connectivity industry today?
The primary trend is accelerated product development. Solutions that previously took years can now be realised within months, aided by generative AI, particularly during prototyping. Customers also demand modularity. For example, in robotics, there is increasing use of mixed rectangular, metric and circular connectors to optimise system integration.
What does the global shift towards renewable energy mean for HARTING?
Three years ago, we presented our “All Electric Society” vision, encompassing renewable energy generation, storage and low-carbon solutions. As currents increase across these applications, connectors must meet higher demands. There is a significant business opportunity in supplying high-performance connectivity for machinery, devices and energy storage systems in renewable energy ecosystems.
What solutions you offer for automation and robotics?
Automation is central to our strategy. Customers increasingly require connectors combining power and data, a capability HARTING has pioneered for over 40 years. The ICC 20 connector exemplifies this trend, integrating power and single-pair Ethernet (SPE) for robotic applications. Combining power and data in one connector enhances flexibility and reliability in automated production. We also have Han® rectangular and circular connectors which offer machine and robot manufacturers fast, efficient, and cost-effective adaptability.
Safety remains a top priority. How is HARTING addressing it?
Safety is vital, especially as DC applications become more prevalent. Our products ensure safe plug-and-unplug operations under load and comply with high-voltage standards. HARTING designs connectors to exceed standard safety requirements, supporting secure energy and signal transmission in industrial environments.
What role does India play in HARTING’s global strategy?
India is a strategic region for both production and development. We localise not only manufacturing but also R&D to stay close to customers. Our development centres in India, China, Vietnam, Switzerland and the US allow us to respond quickly to local and global needs.
In Chennai, we have production, product management and connector development. Bengaluru hosts our service, simulation, and generative AI activities, including AI-assisted modelling for connector development. This strengthens our regional presence while supporting HARTING’s global innovation and delivery capabilities.
Outlook for the future.
HARTING will continue to focus on digitalisation, modularisation and automation, leveraging AI to accelerate prototyping and meet growing industrial demands. By combining global expertise with strong regional operations, including India, we aim to deliver innovative, reliable and safe connectivity solutions across sectors, from energy storage to automated manufacturing.
Harting
Norbert Gemmeke
industrial connectors
Hannover Messe 2026
automation
modular connectivity
energy storage
AI-assisted prototyping
India manufacturing
Rakesh Rao
Germany
Hannover Messe 2026
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