In a significant boost to India's manufacturing and industrial landscape, the German engineering giant Knorr-Bremse Group has unveiled plans for a major new facility near Chennai. The company, a global leader in braking systems for rail and commercial vehicles, will invest a substantial ₹1,907 crore to establish a greenfield manufacturing and technology centre on the Sriperumbudur industrial corridor.
A Strategic Expansion in Tamil Nadu
The project will be executed by the group's Indian subsidiary, Knorr-Bremse India, which is headquartered in Haryana. The company has secured a 46-acre plot at the SIPCOT Industrial Park in Sriperumbudur Phase IV for this ambitious venture. This move underscores the region's growing importance as a premier industrial hub, attracting high-value global investments.
The new facility is designed to be a comprehensive hub, focusing on two key product lines. It will manufacture advanced door systems for a wide range of trains, including metro, regional, and high-speed networks. Additionally, the plant will produce critical friction materials used in railway braking systems, which are essential for safety and performance.
Focus on Innovation and Employment
Beyond manufacturing, the project includes the establishment of a dedicated technology centre. This centre will focus on research and development (R&D) for next-generation rail and truck braking systems, as well as digital products. The R&D efforts will cater to both domestic and international markets, positioning India as a key innovation node in Knorr-Bremse's global network.
The production capacity of the factory is projected to be substantial, aiming for around 700 door drive units and 1,000 door leaf units per month. These components will serve everything from low-rail vehicles to very high-speed trains. Most notably, the project is expected to create permanent employment for approximately 3,700 people, providing a major boost to the local economy.
Chennai: A Hub for Global Tech and Leadership
This investment follows the group's earlier announcement of launching its global Artificial Intelligence (AI) centre in Chennai. That centre is tasked with developing AI solutions to enhance process efficiency and performance across the organisation worldwide. The dual focus on advanced manufacturing and cutting-edge digital R&D highlights Chennai's strategic role for the German multinational.
Adding a layer of local expertise, the Knorr-Bremse Group's current global CEO, Marc Llistosella, has deep roots in India's automotive sector. He was the first Managing Director and CEO of Daimler India Commercial Vehicles, where he played a pivotal role in establishing Daimler's ₹4,400-crore operations in Oragadam and launching the BharatBenz brand in India between 2008 and 2014.
This new manufacturing unit represents a strong vote of confidence in India's 'Make in India' initiative and its growing prowess in engineering and technology. It promises to strengthen the domestic supply chain for rail transportation and commercial vehicles while integrating India more deeply into the global manufacturing and innovation ecosystem of a world-leading industrial group.
