As Indian manufacturing steadily advances towards smarter, faster and more automated production environments, the conversation around machine safety has moved from compliance to competitiveness.
Safety today is no longer a peripheral requirement; it is an integral part of productivity, reliability and sustainable growth. In this evolving landscape, Schmersal India has emerged as a key enabler, bringing global best practices in machine safety while deeply localising solutions for Indian industry.
In this exclusive interaction, Managing Director Ramji Singh of Schmersal India shares insights into the company’s growth milestones, localisation strategy under Make in India, and how integrated safety solutions are reshaping sectors such as machine tools, automotive, packaging, and lifts.
He also reflects on the readiness of Indian manufacturers to adopt advanced safety technologies, the role of software-driven safety and consultancy services, and Schmersal India’s long-term vision aligned with smart factories, sustainability, and evolving regulatory frameworks. Excerpts:
Q1 Looking back, what have been the most significant milestones in Schmersal India’s journey, and how has the company’s mission evolved since inception in 2007?
Schmersal India’s journey is quite impressive. Here are some of the most significant milestones:
• 2007: Establishment – Schmersal India was founded as a sales organization to tap into India’s growing market for machine safety.
• 2013: Manufacturing Begins – Production started at the Ranjangaon facility in Pune, making Schmersal the only MNC with a manufacturing facility for safety products in India, aligning with the “Make in India” initiative.
• 2021: Production Milestone – Produced 100,000 safety products in a single month.
• 2022: Turnover Milestone – Crossed INR 100 million turnover with Indian operations.
• 2022: Competence Centre – Established a new competence centre for IT, software, and engineering services in India.
• 2023: 10 Years of Manufacturing – Celebrated a decade of manufacturing excellence, with exponential sales growth and expansion of services.
As for the company’s mission evolution, Schmersal India started with a focus on providing safety solutions for machines and humans. Over time, we have expanded our scope to include:
• Localization – Increasing local production and customization to cater to India’s specific needs.
Today, Schmersal India aims to be a leader in machine safety, driving innovation, and contributing to India’s growth.
• Sustainability – Embracing renewable energy, like solar power, to reduce environmental impact.
• Digitalization – Implementing Industry 4.0 technology, like IIoT integration, to enhance safety and efficiency.
Q2 What motivated Schmersal to localise manufacturing in India, and how has the “Make in India” initiative impacted product design, cost-competitiveness, and lead times?
Schmersal’s decision to localize manufacturing in India was driven by the growing demand for safety products in the country. Schmersal India established its manufacturing facility in Ranjangaon, Pune, in 2013, making it the only MNC with a manufacturing facility for safety products in India, aligning with the “Make in India” initiative.
The “Make in India” initiative has had a significant impact on Schmersal India’s operations:
• Product Design: We have a localized R&D center, developing new products tailored to the Indian market. This approach enables us to cater to specific customer needs and preferences.
• Cost-Competitiveness: By manufacturing locally, we are able to reduce transportation costs and lead times, making its products more competitive in the Indian market.
• Lead Times: With a local manufacturing presence, Schmersal India can respond quickly to customer demands, reducing delivery times and improving overall customer satisfaction.
The “Make in India” initiative has also enabled Schmersal to:
• Enhance Local Supply Chain: By partnering with local suppliers, Schmersal reduces its reliance on imports and strengthens its supply chain.
• Increase Exports: Schmersal India exports safety products to SAARC countries and other regions, leveraging its competitive advantage in the Indian market.
• Improve Sustainability: Schmersal has implemented sustainable practices, such as using solar power, to reduce its environmental footprint.
Q3 Could you elaborate on how Schmersal India tailors its product portfolio to meet the diverse needs of sectors such as machine tools, packaging, automotive, and lifts — and how you manage export demands beyond India?
Schmersal India has a diverse product portfolio tailored to meet the specific needs of various sectors, including machine tools, packaging, automotive, lift and elevators. Here’s how we cater to these industries:
• Machine Tools: Schmersal India offers safety components and services designed to boost productivity and reduce downtime. Our products meet high safety standards, making them suitable for turning, drilling, milling, and grinding machines.
• Packaging: Schmersal India provides safety solutions for packaging machinery, ensuring operator safety and compliance with industry regulations.
• Automotive: Schmersal’s safety products are designed to meet the automotive industry’s stringent safety requirements, including explosion protection and functional safety.
• Lift & Elevators: Schmersal India offers a wide range of products, including floor and fine-adjustment switches (Reed Switches), positive-break door contacts, and position switches along with controllers and control panel.
To manage export demands beyond India, Schmersal India has established:
• Export-Oriented Unit (EOU): A dedicated unit for exporting safety products to SAARC countries and other regions.
• Free Trade and Warehousing Zone (FTWZ): A strategic inventory management platform enabling customers to save time and costs.
• Global Competence Centre: A centre of excellence for IT, software, and engineering services, supporting Schmersal’s global operations.
Nataraj Lakshman
Asst.Manager-Sales
Schmersal India Pvt.Ltd
Q4 What is the mandate of the Schmersal Global Competence Centre in India, and how is it contributing to innovation — especially in the context of Industry 4.0, automation, and safety software solutions?
Acting as a repository of resource, knowledge pool for IT and Engineering Services for Schmersal Group, Schmersal Global Competence Center began operating from 1st January 2022.
This latest facility of the Schmersal Group was established in the central part of Pune (Nucleus Mall, Camp) in 2018 and flourished from 2 to 100 team members. Custom Application Development, Microsoft Technologies, and SAP are overseen under IT services, whereas Embedded Development and IoT are our fundamental areas of focus.
Working as a separate entity from manufacturing site, Schmersal India Pvt. Ltd.(Ranjangaon), Schmersal Global Competence Centre executes all the functions and responsibilities of the ITCC (IT Competence Centre) and Engineering Center.
SGCC contributes to innovation in several ways:
• Industry 4.0: Developing solutions that integrate safety and automation, enabling smart manufacturing and predictive maintenance.
• Safety Software Solutions: Offering comprehensive safety consulting services, including risk assessment, safety concept development, and implementation.
SGCC’s key initiatives include:
• Tec. LOTO (Lockout/Tagout) Implementation: Software helps in implementing procedures and manages resources in effective way, eliminating human error with increased information availability for each and isolation points.
• Ems 4.0 is a modular energy management solution aimed at giving you complete visibility and control of your electricity consumption across your setup.
Q5 From your vantage point, how ready are Indian machine tool and manufacturing firms to adopt advanced safety and automation solutions? What barriers remain, and how is Schmersal addressing them?
Indian machine tool and manufacturing firms are making significant strides in adopting advanced safety and automation solutions, driven by the government’s “Make in India” initiative and Industry 4.0 adoption.
The Indian machine tools market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 13% in the next five years, with sectors like automotive, aerospace, and defense driving demand.
Current State:
• India installed 8,500 plus industrial robots in 2023, a 59% year-on-year jump, pushing the country to seventh place in annual installations.
• The automotive sector leads with 42% of deployments, driven by a 139% surge.
• However, robot density remains low at 7 units per 10,000 manufacturing workers, far below the global average of 141.
Barriers:
• Limited awareness and high costs hinder adoption.
• Legacy system incompatibility and workforce resistance are significant challenges.
• Skill gaps and inadequate infrastructure also impede progress.
Schmersal’s Approach:
Schmersal India is addressing these barriers by:
• Localizing Manufacturing: Establishing a manufacturing facility in Pune to reduce dependence on imports.
• Investing in R&D: Developing customized safety solutions for Indian industries.
• Training and Support: Providing comprehensive training and support to customers and partners.
• Industry 4.0 Integration: Offering IIoT-enabled safety solutions and smart factory capabilities.
With government support and industry initiatives, Indian machine-tool and manufacturing firms are poised to accelerate their adoption of advanced safety and automation solutions.
Q6 How important is the services and consultancy arm (safety consulting, customized safety concepts) for Schmersal India’s business strategy? Are Indian customers receptive to integrated safety solutions rather than standalone products?
Schmersal India’s services and consultancy arm is a crucial part of our business strategy, offering customized safety solutions and consulting services to cater to specific customer needs. Our Safety Services include application consulting, CE conformity assessment, risk assessment, stop time measurements, training courses, guarding solutions, and safety fences.
Schmersal India’s integrated safety solutions, including Industry 4.0 and IIoT integration, have helped customers streamline production processes and improve sustainability. Our services have also enabled customers to reduce costs, enhance operational efficiency, and ensure compliance with national and international safety standards.
Our focus on localized R&D, manufacturing, and customization has made them a trusted partner for Indian industries. With our comprehensive range of safety products and services, Schmersal India is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for integrated safety solutions in India.
Q7 Could you share some examples where Schmersal India has customised safety solutions to meet specific requirements of Indian or regional customers — perhaps due to climatic, regulatory, or process differences?
Schmersal India has been working closely with Indian or regional customers to develop customized safety solutions that cater to their specific needs.
Here are some examples:
• Customized Safety Solutions: Schmersal India has provided customized safety solutions for various industries, including automotive, pharmaceuticals, Pharma and food processing. For instance, we developed explosion-proof safety switches for the chemical industry and safety light curtains for packaging machinery and fully water and dust proof switches and safety light curtains for pharma industry.
• Industry 4.0 Integration: Schmersal India has integrated Industry 4.0 technologies into our safety solutions, enabling customers to monitor and control their machines remotely. This has improved productivity and reduced downtime.
• Regulatory Compliance: Schmersal India ensures that our safety solutions comply withregulations and standards, such as the Machinery Directive ISO:12100.
• Collaborative Approach: Schmersal India works closely with customers to understand their specific requirements and develop tailored safety solutions.
Q8 Given current manufacturing capacity and demand trends, what are Schmersal India’s capacity expansion or investment plans in the near-to-medium term to cater to growing demand across sectors?
Schmersal India is gearing up to meet the growing demand for safety solutions across various sectors. Here are some of our expansion and investment plans:
• Production Capacity: Schmersal India aims to double its production by 2025 and achieve 100% localization by 2026.
• New Facilities: The company has established a new office at AP4 Tech Park in Pune, enhancing client engagement and innovation in machine safety and automation technology.
• Electronic Product Assembly: Schmersal India plans to start electronic product assembly at its plant in India.
• Accredited QC Labs: The company aims to set up in-house accredited QC labs by 2026-2027.
• Solar Power Plant: Schmersal India has inaugurated a 300KW solar power plant at its production site, reducing carbon footprint and promoting sustainability.
• Investment: The company is investing in increasing its on-ground workforce, enhancing coverage, and developing partnerships to strengthen its network.
These initiatives demonstrate Schmersal India’s commitment to meeting the growing demand for safety solutions in India and beyond.
Q9 What have been the biggest challenges — technical, regulatory, or market-related — for Schmersal India in establishing and scaling up operations? How do you perceive the competition from local manufacturers or alternate safety product providers?
Schmersal India has faced several challenges in establishing and scaling up operations, including:
• Regulatory Challenges: Complying with Indian safety standards and regulations, such as the Indian Machinery Directive.
• Market-Related Challenges: Educating customers about the importance of safety solutions, competing with local manufacturers, and addressing cost sensitivity.
To address these challenges, Schmersal India has:
• Localized R&D: Developing products tailored to the Indian market, such as safety switches and sensors designed for harsh environments.
• Invested in Quality: Implementing stringent quality checks and testing procedures to ensure product reliability.
• Expanded Distribution Network: Strengthening partnerships with distributors and sales offices to increase geographical coverage.
• Focused on Education: Conducting safety workshops and training programs to raise awareness about machine safety.
Regarding competition, Schmersal India faces challenges from local manufacturers and alternate safety product providers. However, the company differentiates itself through:
• High-Quality Products: Offering products that meet international safety standards, such as CE, UL, and CCC certifications.
• Comprehensive Safety Solutions: Providing end-to-end safety solutions, including consulting, design, and implementation.
• Strong Brand Reputation: Leveraging the Schmersal Group’s global reputation for quality and innovation
Q10 What is your long-term vision for Schmersal India over the next 5–10 years in the context of digital transformation (IIoT, smart factories), sustainability, and evolving safety regulations in India and the region?
Schmersal India’s long-term vision for the next 5-10 years is centered around digital transformation, sustainability, and evolving safety regulations. Here are the key focus areas:
• Digital Transformation: Schmersal India aims to leverage IIoT and Industry 4.0 technologies to enhance machine safety, productivity, and efficiency. We have planned to develop smart factories and integrate IIoT-enabled safety solutions, such as predictive maintenance and energy monitoring systems.
• Sustainability: Schmersal India is committed to reducing its environmental footprint. We have already installed a 300KW solar power plant at our Pune facility and aim to achieve 100% localization by 2026. Also we are focusing on sustainable product design, minimizing waste, and promoting eco-friendly practices.
• Evolving Safety Regulations: Schmersal India is well-positioned to adapt to changing safety regulations in India and the region. Schmersal India has established a strong presence in the Indian market and collaborate with local authorities to develop and implement safety standards.
Some of the key initiatives include:
• IIoT Integration: Schmersal India is developing IIoT-enabled safety solutions, such as energy monitoring systems and predictive maintenance tools.
• Smart Factories: The company aims to create smart factories that integrate IIoT technologies, enhancing productivity and efficiency.
• Sustainable Products: Schmersal India is designing products with sustainability in mind, minimizing environmental impact and promoting eco-friendly practices.
• Safety Services: The company offers comprehensive safety services, including risk assessment, training, and consulting, to support customers in achieving regulatory compliance.
Overall, Schmersal India’s vision is to become a leading provider of safety solutions in India, leveraging digital transformation, sustainability, and evolving safety regulations to drive growth and innovation..
