The SGB-SMIT Group has been represented in Southeast Asia for several years with its Malaysian site in Nilai. Due to the excellent experience and success for SGB-SMIT in this market, it was only a logical consequence for our Group to further expand its commitment in (South) Asia. And so on July 4, 2018 we were able to welcome our youngest group member: SGB Transformer India Pvt Ltd, based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
SGB Transformer India produces and distributes cast resin distribution transformers for the global customers of the SGB-SMIT Group and for local industrial customers. The company is a joint venture of SGB-SMIT International GmbH and G. Radhakrishnan and T.R. Velumani.
However, the SGB-SMIT Group's presence in India is not entirely new: the cooperation with its Indian partners dates back to 2009, when the company "Deutschland Transformers Pvt. Ltd. (DTPL)" began manufacturing cast resin transformers. This was done under license from SGB, whereby the Indian partners could rely on the technical know-how and components of the cast resin professionals in Regensburg. DTPL sold its products to various major industrial and infrastructure projects in India. In addition, a fruitful business relationship developed with the Sultanate of Oman, where transformers were also supplied. This successful cooperation with the dedicated local licensing partners has not only earned DTPL and its products an excellent reputation - the SGB-SMIT brand has also become increasingly well-known on the Indian market.
Commenting on the resulting development of the site, Mr. Radhakrishnan said in his opening speech: "After we gained a foothold in the Indian market, the partners recognized the need for SGB to actively participate in the overall process in 2016. Accordingly, a joint venture agreement was concluded with SGB Regensburg and a new company was founded: SGB Transformer India Pvt Ltd.
At the opening ceremony in 2018 guests from SGB Regensburg and SGB Malayia as well as customers from the region and Oman attended. The second speech was given by Stefan Hausberger, CEO of the SGB-SMIT DRY Business Unit. Rüdiger Weinhardt, Head of Sales and Service, then presented both the status quo and the future vision of our location in India. Of course, a tour through the company halls was also part of the program, during which the guests could get an idea of the high production quality for themselves.
The new joint venture is an integral part of the growth strategy of the DRY division (dry or cast resin transformers) of the SGB-SMIT Group. This step offers the opportunity to further expand our competencies and production capacities to provide innovative quality products for the rapidly growing industrial and infrastructure projects in India.
Stefan Hausberger made this clear in his speech on site: "SGB India will continue to grow in terms of vertical integration of value creation activities and competencies in order to become a competent partner for local and global customers. As this partner, SGB India will provide the high-quality products and excellent services that our customers can rightly expect and which are supplied by all members of the SGB-SMIT Group".
SGB Transformers India currently employs 39 people and plans to grow to 100 in the coming years.
The SGB-SMIT Group congratulates on the now official opening and looks forward to an experienced, reliable member who will make a significant contribution to our growth strategy in Asia.
