Update: HF opens second India facility after full takeover of local subsidiary

Freudenberg, Germany — HF Group has opened a new production unit in Dabaspet near Bengaluru (also known as Bangalore), India, marking a further step in its expansion in the country following the full acquisition of its local subsidiary in 2024.

In a 21 March statement to ERJ, the German mixing technology supplier said the new facility opened in March and is intended to support closer collaboration with customers and improve local delivery capabilities.

HF said the new operation will produce batch mixer refurbishments, new tangential F70 and F305 Banbury mixers, Rubmix intermeshing mixers up to 190 litres, new mixing mills, as well as localised content for curing presses and service operations.

The group now operates two facilities in India serving mixing room and curing press solutions.

The opening of the new facility follows the group’s move to complete the full acquisition of its Indian subsidiary in 2024.

The subsidiary, which previously operated as a joint venture under the name Indus UTH HF Mixing Systems Pvt Ltd, has now been renamed Harburg-Freudenberger Machinery (India) Pvt. Ltd.

HF said it has operated in India since 1995 through a collaboration with Germany-based UTH GmbH, before opening its first own facility in Nelamangala, Bengaluru, in 2007.

HF Mixing Group joined as shareholder in 2011, when the company was renamed Indus UTH HF Mixing Systems, before acquiring a majority stake in 2016 and completing the full takeover last year.

At the time of the acquisition, HF described the move as “a significant investment” and “a pivotal milestone” in its global expansion, aimed at strengthening its position in “a fast-growing market.”

Commenting on the strong growth prospects in the country, Co-CEO Ian Wilson said “the Indian economy runs on tires” and is expected to “more than double over the next decade.”

“The market in India is growing, especially for rebuilds and also for mixers and mills,” Wilson said.

Customers, he said, are increasingly demanding faster response times and more localised services.

HF said its India operations will focus on expanding local capabilities, including “rebuilding, repair and complete overhaul of mixers and mixing equipment,” as well as “manufacturing and supply of new mixing equipment.”

Site director N. Bhaskar said the full acquisition would allow the company to “offer enhanced services and also products,” with “a more focused approach to the Indian sub-continent customers.”

In it’s latest statement to ERJ, the group said the expansion reflects its focus on the “further emerging market of India” through a combination of global and local rubber processing technologies, expanded local manufacturing and closer customer partnerships.