Behr-Hella Thermocontrol GmbH (BHTC) announced the launch of its state-of-the-art, fully integrated manufacturing facility in Pune. The new facility was inaugurated in the presence of Michael Jaeger, CEO, BHTC Group, Sudeesh Karimbingal, Managing Director, BHTC India, Kress Kolja, Group CFO and Board Member of BHTC India, Bernd Kuhlhoff, Executive Vice President Sales, BHTC Group, Ralph Trapp, Executive Vice President Research & Development, BHTC Group.
The Pune facility is spread over an area of 120,000 square feet and employs around 300 people. The company has already invested about 10 million Euros in India and have committed another 8 to 10 million Euros of investment until 2023. The new facility will cater to the increasing demands of local and global customers.
The facility in Pune already specializes in end-to-end product development and manufacturing of advanced HMI and Climate Control Panels for leading automotive OEMs in India and across the Globe. The company has upgraded its manufacturing capability and capacity to produce world-class products out of India. The facility houses advanced testing and validation center, global R&D center, global IT and shared services, all under one roof.
Opening of their new facility underscores the strategic importance of India as one of the key pillars of BHTC’s global R&D network. BHTC’s engineers in India are already working on latest technologies and innovations for our local and global customers. With the expansions, BHTC aims to accelerate the global development activities in the coming months and ramp-up our R&D strength to about 300 very soon. The company has created a dynamic, collaborative and transparent work environment at our new office to attract the best talents available in India. As a global center of competency for advanced climate control and HMI solutions, BHTC continues to leverage on their local expertise to provide end to end, innovative and cost-effective solutions to their global and local customers
Speaking on the occasion Kolja Kress, CFO, BHTC Group and Board Member BHTC INDIA said, “BHTC is building on our long-term commitment to the Indian market. State-of-the-art facility will serve local and global customers of BHTC. 120,000 square feet integrated facility would house world class SMD manufacturing, advanced testing and validation center, global R&D center, global IT and Shared services, all under one roof. New facility will strengthen our local manufacturing capabilities, design and development of innovative climate control and HMI solutions.”
Sudeesh Karimbingal, Managing Director, BHTC India said “We are proud to introduce our new facility in Pune and be part of the ‘Local for Global’ initiative by the Indian Government. The investment in the new facility not only meets the increased demand for our products but is also having a positive cascading effect on employment generation and skilling at the same time. We are very well positioned to achieve our 2025 strategic goal – to be the market leader in India for Automotive HMI and climate control products. We aim to outperform the industry by growing over 15% CAGR next 5 years based on the already bagged strong order book. We see a growing demand for BHTC’s Display solutions in India with the augmenting demand for connected vehicles with increasing dependency on navigation systems, infotainment systems, and growing awareness of in-vehicle safety and comfort among Indian consumers.”
