With a vision to expand its business in India, Schmalz India Pvt Ltd - a leading manufacturer of vacuum automation products and handling system catering to diverse sectors - officially launched of its new manufacturing plant in Pune on November 21, 2022. This new facility once again reiterates Schmalz’s commitment to Indian market to provide best of German quality and ergonomic solutions with a strong service support all over India.

Schmalz India Pvt Ltd, the Indian subsidiary since 1999, has come a long way from a small office of 500 sq m to a 1000 sq m facility in Bhosari in 2003, then 4000 sq m in 2007 and further now expanding with a 1000 sq m additional unit for assembly and processing of handling systems. This new facility is about 150 meters from the existing facility in Bhosari, MIDC.

In the next two years, the company is aiming to double its turnover to Rs 100 crores. While the company has a market share of 35 per cent in vacuum automation, it has a share of more than 50 per cent in handling systems market, which is estimated at Rs 150 crores.

The new plant is the next step for the handling systems which it has been providing till date by importing from Germany to supply to the Indian customers. The products will now be assembled in India and also certain parts will be localised. This will be in accordance with their German supplies; thus, quality standards will be maintained. The plant comes with an investment of Rs 15 crores. The plant will initially run on 35 per cent capacity to cater to the current business and have a 65 per cent capacity to grow to double its turnover.

In the coming years, the company will provide localised versions of vacuum handling systems in India. Further, Schmalz also intends to launch the latest products from their new brand “Binar” in India. The products offered are namely Jumbo, VacuMaster, Binar Neo 30, Binar Qulicklift, and Binar QLR range.

The product range consists of vacuum handling systems and vacuum automation. In the handling systems, it has Jumbo, VacuMaster, New 30, Quicklift and QLR. In vacuum automation segment, Schmalz will provide complete grippers and components for automating a vacuum pick and place, using vacuum generators, filters, connectors, vacuum valves, vacuum cups and vacuum sensors.

Speaking on the occasion, Andreas Beutel, Managing Director, J SCHMALZ, GmbH, said, “We are really proud of this key milestone and are confident that we would provide best of the services and products to Indian market. India and especially Pune is a very strategic location for us. We promise that in future, we would invest more and create more jobs for the local youth. We currently employ a total 100 employees, which in the near future could become 200.”

Philip J Mani, Managing Director, Schmalz India Pvt Ltd, added, “We are really excited with the new development and are looking forward to do more better and quality business in India. We have already helped the packaging, plastics and automotive industry with the localisation of suction cups from 2003. Now, with the new plant, which would cater to handling systems, we are looking at industries like food, pharma, logistics, tyre and electronics industries. This is indeed a matter of great pride for us as we have reached a new level. The continuous investment over years into the Indian company proves that we are here to stay and assure our Indian customers that they will receive quality products with service in the long run.”