From left: Prachi Gite, Director, Taural India; Bharat Gite, Founder and CEO, Taural India; Lothar Thoni, Founder & CEO, Thoni Alutec; Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Pioter Skowron, COO, Thoni Alutec.

Marking a substantial expansion of its production footprint, Taural India has commissioned a new advanced aluminium sand casting facility in Supa, Maharashtra. This strategic development, inaugurated by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, establishes a second manufacturing hub for the company following its initial plant in Pune, reinforcing the region's profile in sophisticated industrial casting.

Encompassing 30 acres, the facility is engineered to meet exacting global standards, employing automation, digital controls and rigorous quality systems. It is dedicated to producing intricate, high-precision aluminium components destined for critical sectors including aerospace, defence, railways, energy, mobility and industrial infrastructure. This investment significantly boosts the company's capacity to cater to domestic and international market demand.

The project delivers considerable socio-economic benefits, anticipating the creation of over 1,200 direct jobs alongside numerous indirect opportunities in local supply chains and support services. By anchoring advanced manufacturing in a Tier II location, the initiative fosters skilled employment in regional communities, alleviating urban migration pressures and supporting balanced industrial growth across the state.

Originating from a Memorandum of Understanding signed at the 2025 World Economic Forum in Davos, the plant's journey from commitment to operational reality within a single year highlights Maharashtra's effective project execution capabilities. This timely development strengthens the state's position as a competitive manufacturing destination and aligns with national objectives to integrate more deeply into global value chains.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, “Taural India’s journey stands as a powerful example of how Indian entrepreneurs can build globally competitive, world-class manufacturing enterprises rooted in innovation, partnerships and purpose. Facilities such as Supa also play an important role in driving growth beyond metro cities and supporting the state’s long-term economic ambitions.”

Bharat Gite, Founder and CEO, Taural India, said, “This facility represents the next phase of our manufacturing journey in India. It strengthens indigenous aluminium casting capability, creates skilled employment in regional markets and demonstrates that Indian enterprises can build and scale high-precision manufacturing at global standards while contributing meaningfully to local communities.”

Lothar Thoni, JV Partner, Taural India and Owner, Thoni Alutec, said, “India is increasingly central to global manufacturing strategies. Facilities like Supa show how global engineering standards and local execution can come together to build sustainable manufacturing capability at scale, a model that international manufacturers can confidently invest in.”

Nippon Paint India, a member of the NIPSEA Group, has appointed Jenender Anand as Vice-President of its Automotive Refinish (NPIAR) business. Anand will oversee the automotive refinish portfolio in India, as well as operations for Nippon Paint Nepal and the IndoKote business.

The appointment is part of the company's ‘India-focused’ strategy and follows the implementation of a unified operating model. He will report to Sharad Malhotra, Managing Director of the Nippon Paint (India) Group.

Anand comes with over three decades of experience in marketing, business development and operations. He has worked extensively with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in the passenger vehicle, commercial vehicle and two-wheeler sectors.

Prior to joining Nippon Paint India, he was the President of the Automotive and Power Cable Vertical at Svarn Group. He has also held senior leadership positions at Exxon Mobil Lubricants India and also worked with Goodyear India, MRF Tyres, Shriram Pistons & Rings and Revolt Motors in the past.

The leadership change is intended to integrate the group’s automotive and industrial segments under a single framework. Anand will be responsible for strategic direction, governance and revenue growth across the designated regions.

Sharad Malhotra said, “Jenender’s appointment strengthens our leadership depth at a critical phase of our India journey. His extensive experience across automotive and industrial ecosystems, combined with his ability to build and integrate high-performing teams, will be valuable as we scale our Indian Automotive Refinish, Nepal and IndoKote businesses under a unified and disciplined operating framework.”

Jenender Anand added, “I view this as a strong platform to drive meaningful impact by leveraging my experience in OEM engagement and strategic market expansion. With a structured approach, I am confident we can unlock new value through operational excellence and stronger customer alignment. I look forward to contributing to the broader organisational vision and driving sustainable revenue growth.”

The move aligns with the group's ‘OneNess’ initiative, which aims to synergise capabilities across its manufacturing and service divisions in India.

Bonfiglioli Transmissions has announced the appointment of Ravindra Pisharody as Chairperson and Independent Director. The company also appointed Sundaresan Ananthanarayanan and Rossella Schiavini as Independent Directors to its board, effective February 2026.

These changes aim to enhance governance and strategic oversight for the provider of mechanical and electro-mechanical power transmissions.

Ravindra Pisharody, who has served on the company’s board since 2018, takes over as Chairperson. An alumnus of IIT Kharagpur and IIM Calcutta, Pisharody has 36 years of experience in marketing and sales. His career includes leadership roles at Tata Motors, Philips India, BP India and BP Singapore.

As of 31 December 2025, he holds directorships in several companies, including Muthoot Finance and Happy Forgings.

Sundaresan Ananthanarayanan joins the board with a background in electrical and mechanical engineering. He previously held a role at Ammann India, where he worked within the infrastructure and industrial equipment sector. His appointment is intended to provide perspective on industrial systems and manufacturing operations.

Rossella Schiavini brings international experience in corporate governance and finance. A graduate of the London School of Economics and Political Science, she has over seven years of board-level experience. Her previous associations include BPER Banca and Immobiliare Grande Distribuzione SIIQ. Schiavini’s expertise lies in risk management and strategic decision-making within global organisations.

Minda Corporation (Spark Minda) has announced the appointment of Ajay Agarwal as Group Chief Financial Officer (GCFO) and Key Managerial Personnel (KMP), effective 5 February 2026.

Agarwal takes on this position in addition to his current role as President of Finance and Strategy. In his expanded capacity, he will manage the group's financial strategy and governance. His responsibilities include leading initiatives in growth, digital transformation and investor relations.

Agarwal is a Chartered Accountant and lawyer with over two decades of experience in financial leadership, strategic planning and mergers & acquisitions. He joined Spark Minda in May 2025 and has focused on capital allocation and operational efficiency.

Prior to joining Spark Minda, he was the President of Finance and Strategy at Vedanta, and also held leadership positions at KPMG and PwC.

The appointment is part of Spark Minda’s initiative to strengthen its leadership team. The company intends to use Agarwal's experience to manage market dynamics and value creation.

JS Auto Cast Foundry India (JSA), a subsidiary of Bharat Forge, has raised INR 3 billion crore in equity from Premji Invest (PI). Following the primary infusion of capital, Premji Invest will hold a 23 percent stake in the company on a fully diluted basis.

JSA is a supplier of ferrous castings for the industrial and automotive sectors. The company intends to use the capital to expand casting capacity, invest in medium casting capabilities, and pursue industry consolidation through acquisitions.

Since its acquisition by Bharat Forge in 2022, JSA has reported growth in revenue, exports, and profitability with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 17 percent, 24 percent and 25 percent respectively.

Amit Kalyani, Vice Chairman & Joint Managing Director, Bharat Forge, said, “Since 2022 when we acquired JSA, the company has delivered excellent financial performance with topline, exports and profitability growing at a CAGR of 17 percent, 24 percent and 25 percent respectively, while enhancing its product mix and customer base. We are delighted to partner with Premji Invest (PI), a renowned and highly respected investor, in the next phase of JSA’s growth journey.”

The investment aligns with Premji Invest’s strategy of collaborating with engineering and manufacturing conglomerates on growth and consolidation initiatives.

Manoj Jaiswal, Partner, Premji Invest, said, “We are excited to partner with Bharat Forge, a premier engineering and manufacturing conglomerate in the country. Collaborating with leading conglomerates on their growth and consolidation journey is one of our strategic pillars. Through our investment in JSA, we look forward to jointly building a leading ferrous casting platform in the country.”