Santhosh Rao (SR): Excon 2025 is a very special milestone for us. This is our biggest booth and strongest presence at the show so far, reflecting how critical India has become in Palfinger’s global strategy. We see enormous momentum in infrastructure development, urbanisation, logistics and waste management, all of which create strong demand for our lifting and handling solutions. India is no longer just a growth market; it is a strategic priority.

SR: We have taken several concrete steps. We have officially opened our Global Development Centre in Pune in partnership with L&T Technology Services (LTTS), which will play a key role in localisation and global product development. In parallel, we are in the final stages of land acquisition for our own manufacturing facility near Pune. The plan is to complete the factory by 2027 and begin local production in the second half of that year. Alongside this, we are actively expanding our sales and service network across India.

SR: In the initial phase, production will primarily serve the Indian market. Local manufacturing is essential to remain competitive and responsive to customer needs. Over time, however, we clearly see export potential. India offers strong engineering talent, a capable supply base and competitive manufacturing economics, making it well suited to support global markets in the longer term.

Alexander Susanek (AS): Localisation is not only about cost; it is also about resilience and customer relevance. We are adapting our products to Indian applications while simultaneously localising the supply chain. We are actively engaging with fabrication and component partners and are optimistic that a significant portion of our production requirements can be sourced within India.

AS: Electrification is a major focus for us globally. We already offer solutions where lifting equipment can operate electrically, either through integrated battery packs or by directly connecting to the high-voltage battery of electric trucks. This eliminates the need to run the truck engine during operations, reducing fuel consumption and emissions. As electric commercial vehicles gain traction in India, these solutions will become increasingly relevant here as well.