Closer to the market: Krones opens new plant in India

The new site’s activities will include the assembly of ErgoBloc series and Compact Class equipment as well as machines for the dry end. Plans for the facility also include blowing-mold and spare-parts manufacture. In the final stage of expansion, the roughly 100,000-square-meter property will feature approximately 60,000 square meters of production space.

Local production in India will be expanded in stages. For Krones, the goal is to build up local expertise and further develop the supply chain. The plant is designed to serve customers in India and to gradually increase the share of parts and equipment made locally. All processes and products will continue to reflect the standards of Krones’ global network.

“For our customers, the stronger local presence means shorter distances, faster response times and even closer cooperation over the course of their projects. By expanding our local manufacturing and on-site expertise, Krones can also respond more flexibly to the needs of the Indian market,” explains Ralf Goldbrunner.

Global experience, local implementation

Vemagal stands for more than production and assembly. It also reflects Krones’ commitment to bringing the expertise of our global network to bear while addressing the conditions and requirements of the local market.

Teams from India, Germany and other international offices worked together throughout the planning and setup phases. Site selection, construction, logistics, procurement, IT, finance and human resources development all took place in parallel over several months. Engineers, project teams, suppliers and external partners contributed their expertise, as did Krones colleagues working in the background to set up the systems and processes for the new facility.

This collaborative effort also shaped how knowledge was shared and local expertise was developed. A new plant isn’t built by simply putting existing structures in a new location. Processes need to suit the circumstances on site, employees need the right knowledge and skills and the structures must be able to stand the test of time.

" What we have built here is a facility that is tailored to the Indian market and at the same time draws on the experience of Krones’ global network.” Image Ralf Goldbrunner Member of the Executive Board of Krones AG.

Opening in Vemagal Representatives of the government of the Indian state of Karnataka, members of India’s parliament and of the state legislative assembly, representatives from the German Consulate General and of regional agencies, trade associations and industry came together for the official opening and celebrated the plant’s inauguration together with Krones employees.

For Thomas Wolter, Managing Director of Krones Machinery India, proximity to customers was the main focus:

“This new plant is far more than a production facility. It brings us closer to our customers and enables us to better address the specific needs of the Indian market. At the same time, it creates attractive career opportunities for local skilled workers and helps us build the expertise we need for the future.”

Just 18 months after the project’s launch, the opening also marks the transition from the setup phase to the operational phase. With the successful commissioning complete, responsibility for the site was handed over to the local team, who will shape the further development and operations on site.

The next phase begins

With the plant’s opening, the focus has shifted to the next steps: Further expansion stages are planned, each of which will increase production capacity at Vemagal and the share of manufacturing done locally.  

But this project is not only about production. Krones also intends to further develop expertise in areas such as engineering, technical support and service in India. As such, Vemagal will grow with the needs of the market and enable Krones to collaborate more closely with customers in India.

The combination of local manufacturing, engineering, service and support will further boost the site’s importance within Krones’ international network in the years ahead.

www.krones.com