India gains as Europe’s production volumes shift: Index Group’s Dirk Prust

India stands to gain as Europe’s production volumes shift towards the former, indicated Dirk Prust, Chairman of the Management Board at Index Group, a German machine tool manufacturer and designer of high-precision computer numerical control (CNC) turning machines, multi-spindle lathes, turn-mill centres and automation solutions under INDEX and TRAUB brands.

“India represented a strategically important and growing manufacturing hub, particularly as several global customers were shifting production volumes from Europe to India,” Dr. Prust said, responding to a query from The Hindu.

The INDEX Group has opened its India office and an integrated technology centre in the Aerospace Park, in the outskirts of Bengaluru. Mr. Prust noted that INDEX had been present in India for over 25 years through representation, but the establishment of the technical centre marked a decisive step toward a deeper and direct presence in the country. “The opening of the technology centre in Bengaluru is a sign of our confidence in the Indian market and of our conviction that genuine customer proximity cannot be replaced by video conferences,’’ he said. With six production sites and a global presence, the company was able to combine global expertise with local competence, which is exactly what the new location enabled, he added.

With the latest expansion, the company executives said, the firm was intensifying its presence in Bengaluru, one of the most dynamic industrial markets in Asia. Also the proximity, to the Bangalore International Airport, offered ideal conditions for enhanced customer support and fast service response times in the Indian market, they said earlier at a press conference.

Wilson Thomas, Managing Director, INDEX Machine Tools India, said, “The Indian market is of great importance for the growth strategy of the INDEX Group. With our new technology centre, we can now support our customers even more comprehensively – from consulting and test machining through to technical support.”

This would significantly shorten decision-making paths and create the basis for even closer partnerships with Indian industrial companies, he added. The new office in Bengaluru has space for sales, technology, application, customer service and administration. It also has a showroom with modern demonstration machines for customers to test machining, and view product presentations.