Wabtec Inaugurates New Manufacturing Campus in India

(Wabtec photo)

Wabtec Corporation (Wabtec) on May 20 inaugurated its new manufacturing campus in Rohtak, India, an investment of $18 million (Rs. 150 crore).

According to Wabtec, the new plant, set on 10,000 square meters (10,764 square feet), will initially manufacture transit rail components and subsystems, including axle mounted disc brake systems, distributor valves, brake calipers and actuators, as well as friction material for freight cars, metro coaches, and locomotives for Indian Railways and metros, followed by other products in the coming months and years that serve the rail, mining and industrial segments, “a testament to Wabtec’s commitment to the Indian market and the ‘Make in India’ initiative,” the company stated in a release.

Several Wabtec executives were on hand for the grand opening, including Pascal Schweitzer, President – Transit Business, Sujatha Narayan, Senior Vice President and India Regional Leader, and Ajay Mani, Managing Director – Transit India.

“India is an important growth market for Wabtec, especially for the transit business,” said Schweitzer. “The new site will further improve Wabtec’s ability to deliver enhanced value through our diverse product offerings for both Indian and global customers.”

“We intend to grow this site with plans to invest an additional $10 million (Rs. 80 crores) over the next few years,” said Narayan. “We currently employ 300 people and as the business grows, we do intend to add another 200 employees with a keen focus on diversity hires.”

According to Wabtec, the company’s Transit business in India “offers diverse solutions through its manufacturing sites in Hosur and Rohtak,” which includes brake systems, couplers, pantographs, relays, air-conditioning systems, passenger access doors and friction solutions. The company’s large engineering presence in Hosur and Bengaluru “also provides engineering and service support for Wabtec operations around the world,” the company said.