Wika will increase local production capacity in India: Stefan von Westberg

Home
Interviews
Wika will increase local production capacity in India: Stefan von Westberg

Wika will increase local production capacity in India: Stefan von Westberg

Interviews
Mar 27,25

In this interview, Stefan von Westberg, Director Field Marketing EMEAI, WIKA Alexander Wiegand SE & Co. Kg, highlights trends in measurement technologies and importance of India for the group

Wika will increase local production capacity in India: Stefan von Westberg

The Wika Group offers technologies for measurement of pressure, temperature, force, level and flow measurement, calibration and SF6 gas solutions. In this interview, Stefan von Westberg, Director Field Marketing EMEAI, WIKA Alexander Wiegand SE & Co Kg, highlights trends in measurement technologies and importance of India for the group.

Can you provide a brief overview of Wika?

Wika is a German-based, family-owned company with a workforce of over 11,000 employees and a presence in more than 40 countries. Our annual order intake exceeds €1.3 billion. Wika specialises in measurement solutions for temperature, pressure, level, force, and flow, and we also provide a comprehensive range of calibration products and services. Our solutions are widely used across industries such as oil and gas, chemicals, petrochemicals, food and beverages, and pharmaceuticals. Additionally, we serve industrial segments like mobile working machines, semiconductors, and energy sectors.

What solutions does Wika offer for the energy sector?

Wika has been actively involved in the energy industry for over 20 years. At ELECRAMA, we are showcasing our power generation solutions, with a strong focus on renewable energy.

For power generation, we offer flow measurement products for nuclear power plants. We are also launching a new product called the Pyranometer, which measures solar radiation and is used in large-scale solar farms. This is a major step forward in solar energy monitoring.

For wind energy, we provide temperature and pressure measurement solutions for wind turbines, both on the rotor and inside the turbine itself.

On the power distribution side, we support high-voltage and medium-voltage grids. Our offerings include gas handling and monitoring solutions, such as gas carts for SF6 gas purification and mobile leak detectors to ensure efficient operation of power systems. Additionally, we provide solutions for partial discharge and temperature monitoring in medium-voltage switchgear cabinets.

How has Wika's presence in India evolved over the last few years?

India is a key market for Wika, and we have established a strong footprint here. We invested early in local production, which has allowed us to expand significantly. Today, we operate four major manufacturing facilities in India, producing not only for the domestic market but also for neighbouring regions.

Our Indian workforce has grown to over 1,200 employees, and the market continues to show strong growth potential. Over the years, our Indian teams have implemented Kaizen workshops and aligned production standards with German quality benchmarks, ensuring that our products meet global industry standards.

What are Wika’s future plans for the Indian market?

Over the past two years, we have significantly expanded our product range in India. In the near term, our focus is on stabilising operations and optimising processes. Over the next five years, we plan to strategically introduce new products, both for the Indian market and for export. Additionally, we will increase local production capacity to meet growing demand. India is an important growth market for Wika, and we are committed to further investment and expansion.

Does Wika India contribute to the company's global R&D efforts?

While Wika’s main R&D centre is in Germany, we have multiple Centres of Excellence across Europe, depending on the product segment. Recently, we established an R&D department in India, which will play a more significant role in the coming years. A great example is the Pyranometer, which was developed and produced in India and we expect to see similar product developments in the future.