Remsons Holding, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Remsons Industries, a leading provider of control cables, gear shifters, sensors and winches, has acquired 51 percent equity stake in BEE Lighting, a leading automotive lighting design, development and manufacturing company.

The strategic acquisition represents a significant milestone in Remsons' plan to diversify its product portfolio by entering the automotive lighting market and adding BEE’s expanding customer portfolio of prestigious marques in the luxury/super/hyper-car and EV marketplace.

At present, BEE Lighting counts the likes of Aston Martin, Lamborghini, Ford, Jaguar, Lordstown and Singer Vehicle Design amongst its customers.

Rahul Kejriwal, Executive Director, Remsons said, “We are thrilled to welcome BEE Lighting into the Remsons family. This acquisition not only enhances our product offering but also allows us to enter the lighting market with the significant expertise and innovation that BEE brings. It’s an exciting step forward in delivering more comprehensive solutions to our customers.”

Founded in 2006, BEE Lighting is specialises in automotive headlamps, rear lamps and other external and internal lighting solutions. It has a strong focus on innovation including LED and ADB (Adaptive Driving Beam) systems.

The partnership will enhance Remsons' portfolio with BEE’s advanced design and technology, including the UK’s most advanced light laboratory certified to provide Global Homologation approvals, and will offer a much broader range of solutions for customer needs.

Paul Crees and Colin Fulford, Founders, BEE Lighting stated, “We are extremely proud of what we have built at BEE with the team and are excited about our future with Remsons. This partnership will allow us to reach new customers across the globe and further enhance our product innovation.”

With this acquisition, Remsons will now provide automotive lighting solutions from design to manufacturing, enabling customers to enjoy a broader range of high-quality offerings. The acquisition is expected to deliver immediate benefits in product development, market reach and customer satisfaction.

Germany-based global technology conglomerate, Freudenberg Group, has inaugurated two advanced manufacturing facilities in Morinda, Punjab, covering a total built-up area of 40,700 sqmt.

These plants are operated by Freudenberg-NOK India (FNI) and Vibracoustic India. The strategic move consolidates the company’s operations from its existing plants in Basma and Mohali, aimed at enhancing production efficiency and supporting Freudenberg's long-term growth plans in India.

Freudenberg has invested over EUR 42 million in the Morinda facility marks the company’s largest financial commitment in India to date. They will cater to both domestic and international markets, reinforcing Freudenberg’s dedication to India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative. The facilities will cater to key sectors such as automotive and industrial manufacturing, ensuring the company remains competitive by optimising material flows and leveraging modernised equipment.

Dr. Mohsen Sohi, CEO, Freudenberg Group remarked, "Our investment in the new facilities in Morinda reflects Freudenberg's strong commitment to the Indian market and the 'Make in India' vision. This expansion not only aligns with our global growth strategy but also boosts our ability to serve customers with greater efficiency, innovation, and quality. As we celebrate 175 years of Freudenberg’s legacy of excellence, we are proud to further strengthen our presence in India."

The German company states that sustainability is a core focus of the new facilities. Energy-efficient machinery and eco-friendly practices, such as photovoltaic cells that supply 15 percent of the plant's energy needs and water-recharging stations, have been incorporated to reduce the environmental footprint.

Sivasailam G, MD at Freudenberg Performance Materials India and Director & CEO of Freudenberg Regional Corporate Center India added, "The inauguration of our new manufacturing plants in Morinda showcases our long-term commitment to sustainable growth in India. By bringing our operations together in this advanced facility, we aim to create new job opportunities and nurture local talent. This investment helps us better serve our customers across different industries, offering high-quality products and solutions made in India for both domestic and international markets."

Freudenberg’s expansion in Morinda is set to generate significant job opportunities, with plans to grow the local workforce by 20 percent, adding approximately 200 new positions. The site will also serve as a global engineering hub, attracting top talent from regional universities, particularly around Chandigarh.

Tier 1 suppliers Valeo has announced that based on the successful joint development with a European OEM on the magnet-free electric motor technology (EESM – Externally Excited Synchronous Motor), it is now extending its portfolio of magnet-free electric motors towards upper segment vehicles together with component major Mahle.

The partners have joined forces to develop an innovative magnet-free electric axle system, targeting upper segment electric vehicles with peak power ranging from 220 kW to 350 kW.

The iBEE system (inner Brushless Electrical Excitation), is a cutting-edge technology that aims to revolutionise performance and efficiency of magnet-free electric motors. Valeo and Mahle signed a Joint Development Agreement to combine both Valeo’s expertise in electric motors, highly efficient inverters and associated motor control laws and the expertise of Mahle on magnet-free rotor with its Mahle Contactless Transmitter (MCT) technology.

They are working on an innovative cooling concept in order to achieve an outstanding continuous to peak power ratio. Moreover, the carbon footprint is expected to be reduced by more than 40 percent versus a permanent magnet electric motor of equivalent power. The testing of the first prototypes will be completed by the end of 2024.

Xavier Dupont, Valeo Power Division CEO said, “This cooperation with Mahle is a perfect match. Mahle develops the EESM rotor and their brushless excitation system. Based on our power electronics know-how, Valeo provides a dedicated control of this electric motor and brushless system embedded in our inverter. This partnership allows Valeo to complete its EESM portfolio towards upper segment and is key to support the evolution of the automotive industry towards more innovative sustainable solutions.''

Martin Wellhoeffer, Member of the Mahle Group Management Board said, “In this project two front runners of electrification are joining forces. The new e-axle will benefit from Mahle’s expertise in contactless transmitter technology. Together we will be setting a new benchmark in packaging and efficiency for EESM based e-axles and taking the next step for our customers towards future mobility.”

Valeo's first EESM development is based on cooperation with a European OEM launched in 2022 in order to create a new magnet-free electric motor generation (EESM). The initial targets of the project were double; first to get an all-in-one architecture with a new stator and cooling technology in order to increase by 30 percent the power density compared to the current motors equipping the current OEM’s vehicles on the road. Secondly, to shrink its carbon footprint by 30 percent versus an electric motor equipped with magnets (PMSM). A validation phase for more than 6 months was successfully ended with results level over the initial expectations in terms of power and efficiency especially thanks to Valeo inverter expertise.

The performances match the level of permanent magnet electric motors for B/C segment vehicles with all benefits of a magnet-free technology (no rare earth and lower carbon footprint)

As part of its electrification strategy Mahle has been focusing on developing electric drive systems. Its contactless transmitter technology for magnet-free electric motors is testament to the company’s strong expertise in this field. Thanks to its high maturity level it is a key enabler for the next evolution of EESM-based e-axles.

Avoiding the use of rare earth materials does not only positively contribute to the sustainability of e-mobility, but is also advantageous in terms of costs and resource security. The key feature is the inductive and thus contactless and wear-free power transmission allowing motor operation at benchmark efficiency level.

RSB Transmissions, a global leader in automotive, construction and equipment systems manufacturing, has secured a strategic investment from Bain Capital, a leading global private investment firm. The investment will support RSB’s growth initiatives, with a focus on mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and expanding its global footprint.

Founded in 1973 by R K Behera and S K Behera, Jamshedpur-based RSB is a global supplier for commercial vehicles, passenger cars and construction equipment. Serving leading original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) such as Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland, Daimler and Mahindra & Mahindra, as well as construction behemoths like CAT, Tata Hitachi, JCB and Komatsu, RSB operates 16 cutting-edge manufacturing facilities throughout India and a plant in Mexico.

Through the agreement, RSB Transmissions will get strategic and financial support to support its growth ambitions and international expansion. Bain Capital will assist RSB in expanding its worldwide presence and investigating new prospects in developing markets thanks to its vast experience in the automotive and industrial industries.

R K Behera, Founder of RSB Transmissions, said, "As we celebrate 50 years of excellence, we are excited to begin this new chapter of growth with Bain Capital as our strategic partner. We’ve built a solid foundation over the past five decades, and with Bain Capital’s expertise and resources, we are confident in our ability to seize new opportunities and further strengthen our position as a global leader in our industry."

S K Behera, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of RSB, added, "This investment partnership represents a shared vision for the future of RSB. Bain Capital’s deep industry knowledge and global network will be invaluable as we work together to explore new markets, drive innovation and continue delivering exceptional value to our customers."

Pawan Singh, Partner at Bain Capital, said, "RSB has built a strong reputation for high-quality engineering and long-term relationships with key customers. We look forward to working closely with the Behera family and RSB’s management team to help the company reach new heights and become a more diversified global platform."

Pritika Auto Industries, a leading supplier for tractor components in India, has finalised a significant order worth INR 300 million per annum from country’s leading OEM tractor manufacturers.

The order involves the supply of approximately 250 tonnes per month of new large components designed for tractors. These new components will weigh over 78kg,  which the company states underscores Pritika Auto’s expertise in producing robust, heavy-weight products.

Harpreet S. Nibber, MD, Pritika Auto Industries said: “We are delighted to finalise this significant order, which is a testament to our team’s relentless efforts in innovation and quality. This achievement not only underscores our ability to meet the stringent demands of leading OEM tractor manufacturers but also highlights our commitment to supporting the agricultural sector with robust and reliable components.”

“As we continue to scale our operations, this order reinforces our strategic focus on enhancing our production capabilities and expanding our presence in the industry. As the Company moves forward, we remain dedicated to our core values of quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction. We look forward to achieving many more milestones and contributing significantly to the automotive industry.”

Interestingly, the company counts the likes of Mahindra Swaraj, Swaraj Engines, TAFE, Escorts, SML Isuzu, Tafe Motors & Tractors, Ashok Leyland, New Holland Tractors India and Brakes India among others as its clients.