ABB India has expanded its local manufacturing footprint with the launch of a new production line for variable speed drive (VSD) modules at its Peenya factory in Bengaluru. The move increases the local drives production capacity by approximately 25 percent, supporting India’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India’ initiatives while meeting rising demand for energy-efficient industrial solutions, according to the press release.
The upgraded line integrates state-of-the-art automation and robotics, enhancing productivity, safety, and quality in line with Industry 4.0 standards. It will produce drives with large power ratings for a variety of industries, including buildings, data centers, water, cement, and metals, and is capable of delivering customized, made-to-order drives for evolving industrial requirements.
Localized production is expected to reduce lead times by up to 40 percent, enabling faster delivery and improved customization for Indian customers.
“As we mark two decades of drives production in India, this expansion reinforces our commitment to advancing local manufacturing capabilities and delivering energy-efficient technologies for the country’s industries,” said AR Madhusudan, Business Line Manager, Drive Products, ABB India. “With our focus on localization, ABB India’s upgraded drives factory will serve customers with greater reliability, speed, and agility, leveraging cutting-edge automation.”
The ergonomically designed line uses advanced robotics and digital monitoring technology to automate key components, ensuring high energy efficiency, reliability, and real-time visibility of operations. Sensors monitor the precise placement of components, maintaining consistently high quality, while robotics streamline the movement of assembled drives, improving efficiency, reducing manual handling, and enhancing safety.
“As India accelerates its sustainability goals, ABB drives play a crucial role in enhancing energy efficiency in Indian industries,” said Tuomo Hoysniemi, Division President, Drive Products, ABB Motion. “This expansion underscores our focus on advancing local production and technology capabilities, building stronger ecosystems, and helping industries operate leaner and cleaner.”
The expansion coincides with ABB marking 50 years of innovation in VSDs globally and 20 years of drives production in India. ABB’s variable speed drives, which optimize the speed of electric motors to match process demands, have contributed to nation-building projects across sectors including metros, airports, pharmaceuticals, and metals, improving energy efficiency and performance in industrial and commercial applications worldwide.
