India presents a huge opportunity for HIWIN: Simon Liao

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India presents a huge opportunity for HIWIN: Simon Liao

India presents a huge opportunity for HIWIN: Simon Liao

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Feb 27,25

In this interview, Simon Liao, Deputy GM, 2nd Business Dept, HIWIN Technologies, highlights on emerging trends in India with customers demanding highly efficient, green technologies.

India presents a huge opportunity for HIWIN: Simon Liao

The Taiwan-headquartered HIWIN Technologies Crop is known for providing intelligent products and mechatronic total solution to serve customers and build a great work environment to improve human's life. In this interview during IMTEX 2025 (India’s leading machine tools exhibition), Simon Liao, Deputy General Manager, 2nd Business Dept, HIWIN Technologies, highlights on the latest offerings of HIWIN and market trends in India with customers demanding high-efficiency and green technology.

What is HIWIN highlighting at IMTEX 2025?

HIWIN has been in India for the past 35 years and is a leading manufacturer of ball screws and LM guides, which form the core of linear motion (LM) technologies. However, beyond linear motion, we have expanded into rotary motion technologies as well. As a leading manufacturer of motion control and system technologies, we offer a diverse product range that includes: bearings, rotary tables, industrial robots, wafer robots, medical robots, linear motors, servo motors, and drives, and torque motors.

Additionally, we cater to high-precision applications in the semiconductor industry, providing linear motors and torque motors through our sister company, Mikrosystem.

Today, in the machine tools industry, five-axis machining is becoming a major trend beyond traditional three-axis machining. Many complex components that were previously difficult or time-consuming to machine can now be processed efficiently with five-axis technology. This advancement reduces overall production time and optimizes factory floor space.

Traditionally, five-axis machining centers used worm gear-based rotary tables. However, at HIWIN, we only manufacture torque motor rotary tables, which utilise direct-drive technology. These tables eliminate the need for servo motors, ensuring non-contact operation and zero backlash. In contrast, worm gear-based mechanisms develop backlash over time, requiring machine shutdowns for adjustments, which affects productivity.

With HIWIN’s direct-drive rotary tables, manufacturers experience continuous operation, no need for backlash adjustments, and a more compact design. Many companies globally—including those in Japan, China, Europe, Brazil, and South America—are transitioning from mechanical systems to direct-drive solutions. This trend is particularly strong in aerospace, aircraft manufacturing, and electric vehicles (EVs).

Are you seeing this trend happening in India as well?

Yes, we expect this trend to gain momentum in India. However, India is still in the early stages of adoption. We want to enter the market early and establish a strong presence. Global machine tool manufacturers have already started shifting from worm gear mechanisms to direct-drive technology. With more global companies investing in India, we believe this transition will soon take place in the Indian market as well.

You mentioned high-precision machining, especially for industries like aerospace, automotive, and EVs. How does HIWIN plan to serve these industries better?

At HIWIN, we manufacture precision components and supply them to machine tool manufacturers. By providing high-precision products and solutions, we help our customers upgrade their machines, enabling them to compete on a global level.

With increasing electronics exports from India and the government’s push to establish semiconductor facilities, do you see this as an opportunity for HIWIN?

Absolutely. The Indian government is actively promoting semiconductor manufacturing, and we see a lot of investment and planned projects in this sector. With the support of our sister company, Mikrosystem, we can provide high-precision components and solutions tailored for semiconductor applications. Given that Taiwan is a global leader in semiconductor manufacturing, we have the expertise and know-how to support India's growing semiconductor industry.

HIWIN also promotes eco-friendly solutions. Can you elaborate on this?

At HIWIN, we focus on innovative, high-speed, high-precision, and eco-friendly products that help industries improve energy efficiency and reduce their carbon footprint. HIWIN is the first manufacturer of linear motion and motion control products in the world to achieve both ISO-9001 and ISO-14001 certifications. In India, more companies are adopting sustainable and energy-efficient solutions, and we believe this trend will further drive demand for HIWIN products in the country.

How do you see India as a potential market for HIWIN?

We have been in India for over 30 years, and we have witnessed significant growth in the market. Initially, progress was slow, but in the last five to six years, we have seen tremendous opportunities and expansion. India’s manufacturing sector is poised for continued growth, and we believe it presents a huge opportunity for everyone in the machine tools industry. More global companies are investing in India, which will further drive demand for high-precision motion control solutions.

Are you considering setting up a manufacturing facility in India?

We already have a strong distribution network across India. HIWIN products are readily available throughout the country, and customers are familiar with our brand. Our current manufacturing operations are based 100 per cent in Taiwan, but we will continue to assess future possibilities based on market growth.