ZF Group inaugurated its 19th manufacturing plant in India on Tuesday, establishing a new facility in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, that will produce axles and transmissions for construction and railway industries with an investment of €20 million (₹192 crores).
The German automotive supplier and technology company opened the 10,000 square meter facility as part of its "Make in India for India and the World" strategy, positioning the plant to serve both domestic markets and global exports. The Coimbatore facility marks ZF Group's 11th manufacturing site in Tamil Nadu.
The plant will manufacture ERGOPOWER M transmissions for construction machinery, MULTITRAC axles for heavy-duty construction equipment, and EcoMet transmissions for the Indian railway market. The ERGOPOWER transmission offers automatic-powershift technology optimized for construction applications and can deliver productivity improvements and fuel savings of up to 15 percent.
Dr. Peter Laier, Member of the ZF Group Board of Management, and Head – Commercial Vehicle Solutions and Industrial Technology, stated, "As we proudly inaugurate ZF's new manufacturing plant in Coimbatore, this is another step ZF Group's commitment to India's dynamic manufacturing landscape. India is a strategic market for ZF Group, and we focus India for its engineering and manufacturing capabilities. This is led by its growing domestic market. This state-of-the-art facility aligns with our global strategy of growth closer to customers and reaffirms ZF's dedication to fostering innovation and growth in this pivotal market."
Akash Passey, President, ZF Group India expressed his enthusiasm about this strategic move, stating, "India stands as a pivotal manufacturing hub, embodying ZF's unwavering commitment to the nation's growth and development. Our strategy, 'Make in India for India and Make in India for the World,' underscores the immense domestic growth opportunities while positioning India as a global leader in manufacturing excellence. By harnessing India's potential, we aim to drive innovation and economic progress, ensuring that our products not only meet the needs of the Indian market but also set benchmarks worldwide."
The MULTITRAC axle series manufactured at the facility features compact and lightweight design despite high strength and torque capacity. The axles incorporate wheel speed wet multi-disc brakes that reduce braking losses and improve efficiency. Various ratios and brake and differential lock options are available within the modular product range.
For the railway segment, the plant will produce EcoMet transmissions designed for metro applications. The modular gearbox design allows compatibility with various metro types without requiring additional development and manufacturing costs. ZF has maintained a presence in railway technology for over a century and currently serves rail markets in Europe, North America and China.
Andreas Moser, EVP Industrial Technologies, ZF Group stated, "In India, the construction industry is upbeat about the market potential with rapid urbanization and the push for infrastructural connectivity, which the country is witnessing. The industrialization of the ERGOPOWER transmission and MULTITRAC axle series at ZF Coimbatore plant will contribute to that development. This will help the plant to cater its production to domestic and export requirements. The new plant in Coimbatore together with the main hub in Germany will support the production capacity needed for the future market growth in the global construction equipment market."
ZF Group operates 161 production locations across 30 countries and employs approximately 161,600 people worldwide. The company reported sales of €41.4 billion in fiscal 2024. The Industrial Technology division encompasses ZF's activities for off-road applications, including agricultural and construction machinery, forklifts, special vehicles, rail systems, marine propulsion technology, and wind power technology.