• Strategic expansion: Investment in a new 80,000-square-meter site in Sanand, Gujarat, to complement the plant in Bhubaneswar, which opened in 2014
• Expanded manufacturing capacities: Production of machinery, equipment, and systems for flat and long products as well as forging technology
• Strengthening market presence: Around 160 employees and up to 400 contractors are supporting the growing demand in India’s industrial center and contributing to the “Make in India” initiative
• Optimal location: Central proximity to customers in western India and connections to major seaports for efficient expediting to national and international markets

With a grand opening ceremony on January 21, 2026, SMS group took a significant step forward in its international expansion strategy. This state-of-the-art manufacturing facility is not only a milestone for the company, but also an important response to rising demand in one of the world’s most dynamic steel markets. Around 160 SMS employees, together with up to 400 contractors, form another pillar of SMS’s global quality manufacturing operations. The new production facility in Sanand near Ahmedabad is a manufacturing site for machines and equipment for processing flat and long products, as well as for forging technology.

With over 250 guests from the world of politics and business in attendance, the ceremonial red ribbon was cut and a traditional Indian lamp was lit by representatives of SMS’s German leadership team together with regional leaders to mark the facility’s official inauguration. With this new production plant, SMS is reaffirming its commitment to actively supporting India’s economy and to providing its customers with world-class solutions.

The 80,000-square-meter manufacturing site is SMS’s second production facility in India, complementing the first manufacturing plant in Bhubaneswar in the state of Odisha, which opened in 2014.

The new production complex in Sanand is designed to manufacture components weighing up to 125 tons and to assemble entire production lines. The first facility in Bhubaneswar focuses specifically on machinery and equipment for metallurgy and service. Together, the two locations form a complementary manufacturing ecosystem that increases efficiency and expands product diversity in SMS’s portfolio.

With the new facility in Sanand, SMS is reinforcing its customer focus in this important growth market and contributing directly to the 2014 “Make in India” program, which aims to position India as a leading center for global manufacturing.

“This investment strengthens our production base in India for plants and machinery and makes us a first-class supplier,” says Fabíola Fernandez, CFO, Member of the Executive Board, SMS group. “It is an important step toward expanding our presence in this significant growth market and actively supporting the industrial upswing in the country. Steel production in India currently stands at around 150 million tons per year and is expected to rise to 300 million tons in the coming years. At SMS group, we want to provide our local customers with the best possible support in the form of first-class equipment and outstanding service.”

Marco Asquini, CEO, Region APAC & MEA, SMS group, and MD, SMS India Pvt. Ltd., adds, “We are proud to establish another manufacturing site in Sanand, India, embedding SMS quality with German roots: modern manufacturing equipment, disciplined quality processes and deep engineering know how form the backbone of this new facility. With our local presence and reliable, punctual execution, we aim to actively support the government’s goal of increasing steel production to around 300 million tons per year. We thank our customers for their trust and take the responsibility to minimize risk and deliver reliable production outcomes very seriously.”

The new production facility is strategically located in the heart of SMS’s customer base, most of whom are located nearby. This enables us to respond promptly to individual requests locally.

The decisive factor in choosing Sanand, near Ahmedabad, was its importance as an industrial center in western India with numerous production facilities belonging to large domestic and foreign companies. The region offers suitable industrial sites, a reliable energy and water supply, and access to skilled workers. The new production facility benefits from an excellent location and is ideally positioned to efficiently supply international customers with components manufactured by SMS.

The new complex is earmarked for continued growth in the future, with additional investments to be made in state-of-the-art machinery and the recruitment of additional skilled workers planned.

SMS in India:
SMS is already well established in India through its predecessor companies. The Mannesmann subsidiary lndomag Steel Technology Ltd. was founded in Delhi in 1989, followed by SMS Schloemann-Siemag, which established SMS lndia in Mumbai in 1994. With the fusion of the metallurgical plant engineering divisions of Mannesmann Demag and SMS Schloemann-Siemag in 1999, these two Indian companies also merged. Since then, SMS has been expanding continuously in India. Today, SMS operates offices in Gurgaon, Kolkata, Pune, Bhubaneswar, and Sanand, and it currently employs around 1,700 people across India. SMS India has its headquarters in Gurgaon near New Delhi. Its employees are experts in the fields of sales, design, project management, electrical engineering and automation, and service. They cover the entire range of SMS products and services, from coal and ore processing to Paul Wurth blast furnaces, strip treatment plants, and forging technology. This applies to both new construction and modernization projects.