Knorr-Bremse is further expanding its commitment to the growth and future market of India – and has sent a clear signal of this strategy with the “Supplier Summit India 2025” on November 12 in Chennai. The aim is to further strengthen the efficient network of Indian suppliers for the rail and commercial vehicle industry – as a basis for long-term success on the subcontinent and beyond.
Marc Llistosella, CEO of Knorr-Bremse AG, emphasizes the strategic importance of strong partnerships: “India is a strategic growth market with great potential for us and represents ‘a world full of opportunities’. However, the success of our commitment and our investments also depends on reliable and innovative partners from the supplier industry. Only through strong and long-term cooperation will we be able to tap into the opportunities that the Indian mobility and transport market offers in the long term – including for exports.“
Supplier summit to strengthen growth and cooperation
With “Procurement in India for the global market” as the event’s focus, Knorr-Bremse underlined its confidence in India’s growing supply skills and competencies. Purchasing managers from Knorr-Bremse and representatives of suppliers from the fields of castings, machined parts, components, connectors, standard parts, and welded assemblies discussed common challenges and ways to achieve sustainable cooperation. A key topic was India’s potential as a production hub for exports to supply markets worldwide.
Long-term strategy for the future
Establishing a strong supplier network in India is an important part of Knorr-Bremse’s future strategy. The Rail division is already taking significant steps in this direction: among other things, supply agreements are being made more efficient, harmonized, and consistently aligned with market and customer needs. This creates a solid foundation for sustainable local and international growth. Also with regards to the geopolitical context, Knorr-Bremse is further expanding its independence, flexibility, and delivery capability by strengthening its supplier relationships in India. Knorr-Bremse Rail and Truck’s sales volume in India amounted to around €300 million in 2024.
With sites in Chennai, Palwal, and Pune, India plays a strong role as an innovation and production hub within the Knorr-Bremse Group. Knorr-Bremse recently opened a center for artificial intelligence in Chennai as part of its global digital strategy and as proof of India’s growing importance as a space for innovation. Besides, Knorr-Bremse announced its investment in the construction of a modular campus in Chennai. This will create additional production, engineering, and back-office activities, with around 3,500 jobs to be created in the long term.
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