Tsugami Inaugurates INR 3 Billion Assembly & Foundry Plant In Chennai

Tsugami

Japanese precision engineering machine tool company Tsugami has formally inaugurated its assembly and foundry infrastructure in Oragadam, on the outskirts of Chennai. The INR 3 b billion investment is claimed to be the largest ever by a Japanese machine tool maker in India, and the first foundry in India by a Japanese machine tool maker.

The Chennai facility is one of only three global facilities for Tsugami, the others being in Japan and China. The new 300,000 sqft facility, situated at SIPCOT Industrial park Oragadam, will generate over 1,000 jobs, employing 700 professionals directly and 300 indirectly.

The newly inaugurated infrastructure enhances the volume production of high-performance machine tools in India. It has an annual capacity of 3,000 machines, while the foundry has an installed annual capacity of 6,000 tonnes.

The new infrastructure enables increased indigenous production of Tsugami machine tools. The facilities enhance the scale of production while maintaining quality standards.

The inauguration was attended by Arun Roy, IAS, Secretary – Industries, Govt. of Tamil Nadu and Kaoru Shiraishi, Director General, JETRO.

Kaoru Shiraishi, said, “Today’s inauguration is yet another excellent example of the long-standing relationship built on trust, innovation, and mutual respect between Japan and India. There is immense value creation possible when one combines Japanese technology and quality with India’s talent, energy and growing market strength. This new facility represents a deep commitment to contributing to India’s development, creating local employment and strengthening industrial capabilities. Am confident that this facility will become a model of excellence and a symbol of our enduring partnership. JETRO remains committed to supporting Japanese companies in India and to fostering an environment where collaboration and innovation can thrive.”

Arun Roy, said, “For several decades, Japan has been one of Tamil Nadu’s most trusted partners in economic development, cooperation and advanced manufacturing. Japanese companies have consistently shown confidence in TN’s talent, infrastructure, and business-friendly environment. Today’s inauguration is a major reaffirmation of that partnership & confidence. This new facility reflects the values that define Japanese industry – precision, discipline, innovation and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Am delighted that this facility will generate significant employment for our youth who are known globally for their technical skills and dedication. Am confident that the collaboration between Japanese expertise and local talent will set new benchmarks & create new opportunities for local suppliers in Tamil Nadu.”

K Balasubramanian, Founder, Tsugami India and Chairman & MD, Proteck Machinery India, said, “The new facility is a big step-up for India’s high-precision manufacturing ecosystem as Tsugami is globally respected as among the pioneering players in the precision engineering space known for their innovation and unwavering commitment to excellence. This facility is surely going to lead to a snowballing effect on India’s ability to support manufacturing of components and products that need precision engineering, a much needed capability. Availability of human resources with superior competence in industrial manufacturing is one of the significant factors that compelled us to choose Chennai and Tamil Nadu for this new facility. It’s a truly proud moment for each of us at Tsugami India today and we are truly indebted to the Tsugami Corporation board and management for their unwavering commitment to India and Tamil Nadu.”

Yamaha Motor Opens Robotics Business Support Division In India

Yamaha Motor Co

Yamaha Motor Co, has established the Robotics Business Support Division as a dedicated sales and service facility for its robotics operations in Gurugram, Haryana.

The facility operates within Yamaha Motor India Sales (YMIS), the entity responsible for the company's motorcycle and automotive product sales in the country.

The division was created to reinforce sales and service operations for Yamaha-branded robot products, streamline internal business processes and support further investment. The facility will initially focus on surface mount technology (SMT) assembly systems and industrial robots. Over the longer term, the company plans to build the necessary technical structures to handle semiconductor back-end processing equipment.

The Gurugram facility features a dedicated showroom designed to display Yamaha Motor’s robotics technologies. This space allows clients to view products and technical solutions firsthand, helping them assess application methods for their respective production sites. Through this initiative, the company aims to increase its brand recognition and capture a larger share of the expanding Indian manufacturing and robotics automation markets.

Durr Introduces Qflex Technology For Energy-Flexible Drying

Durr

German automation and technology company Durr has launched Qflex, a system designed to decouple automotive drying ovens from specific heat sources. This development allows manufacturers to change energy sources, such as natural gas, electricity, or hydrogen, without requiring structural modifications to oven systems.

Durr plans to equip its oven range with centralised heating technology, focusing on two systems: EcoInCure and EcoSmartCure. The variable heating circuit enables operators to switch energy sources based on availability or cost.

The system uses a heating module that supplies heat to zones through a circuit. Operators can modify the heating module to change energy sources or integrate high-temperature storage units.

Dr. Heiko Dieter, Product Manager at Durr, said, “It is impossible for anyone to predict today what source of energy will be available in plentiful supply and at a reasonable cost tomorrow. If, for example, the gas supply is interrupted at short notice, there is a risk of costs increasing and even production being interrupted. Energy-flexible ovens guarantee an alternative supply in this case. If a source of energy is no longer economical, operators can switch to another source with minimal effort – without having to interfere with the oven’s structural fabric. Choosing a hybrid system also makes it possible to automatically switch to the cheapest energy source depending on the time of day.”

The EcoInCure oven uses a transverse design. The EcoSmartCure uses a longitudinal mode of operation with a stop-and-go principle. This allows for temperature control by heating bodies in phases, which reduces thermal stress on parts. Both systems are single-level designs intended for integration into new builds or existing plants.

The EcoSmartCure is undergoing tests for industrial use.

“The strong customer interest and two projects already underway confirm to us that we have hit the mark with this new development. Energy flexibility is no longer a distant vision. The Qflex technology in our ovens now offers a solution for responding flexibly to volatile energy markets and changing conditions in automotive production,” concluded Dr. Dieter.

Maruti Suzuki India’s 2nd Kharkhoda Manufacturing Facility Commences Production

Maruti Suzuki Kharkhoda

Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s largest passenger vehicle manufacturer, has commenced production at its second manufacturing plant at Kharkhoda.

With this, the company has expanded its production capacity to 2.65 million units per annum across Gurugram, Manesar and Kharkhoda in Haryana and Hansalpur in Gujarat.

The new facility can manufacture 250,000 units, which takes the total production at Kharkhoda to 500,000 units per annum combined. It will produce the company’s popular Brezza and Victoris SUVs.

The expansion is part of Maruti Suzuki India’s expansion strategy to meet customer needs, and once fully operational the Kharkhoda facility will produce a million units per annum, making it the biggest four-wheeler manufacturing location for Suzuki globally.

For FY2027, Maruti Suzuki India aims to add 500,000 units capacity.

Uno Minda To Invest INR 5.5 Billion For 2nd Four-Wheeler EV Powertrain Plant In Maharashtra

Uno Minda

Tier 1 automotive supplier Uno Minda has announced that its Board of Directors has approved the establishment of a greenfield manufacturing facility in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra.

The facility, managed through its subsidiary Uno Minda Auto Innovations (UMAIPL), will focus on high-voltage electric powertrain products for four-wheeler passenger vehicles.

The plant will manufacture and assemble Electric Drive Units (EDU) and Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT) systems. The expansion is supported by orders for these systems from an anchor customer. The project involves an estimated investment of INR 5.5 billion, funded through a combination of debt and equity. Capital expenditure will be phased over the next two years, with commissioning expected by Q2 FY2028.

This represents the second electric vehicle (EV) powertrain facility announced by UMAIPL, following the ongoing construction of its plant in Khed City, Pune, which is scheduled to start operations in H2 FY2027.

The expansion comes as the automotive market increases the adoption of advanced powertrains, including battery electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids and range-extended electric vehicles.

Ravi Mehra, Managing Director, Uno Minda, said, "The Indian automotive landscape is undergoing a structural shift toward sustainable mobility, and Uno Minda is at the forefront of this transition. By establishing our second dedicated EV powertrain plant in Maharashtra, we are not only expanding our capacity but also advancing our product offerings with Electric Drive Unit and DHT. Our commitment remains firm: to lead the localization of high-voltage powertrain technologies in India, ensuring that our partners have access to global-standard innovation right at their doorstep."