The Witzenmann Group from Pforzheim, with a legacy of over 150 years in Germany, is the world’s leading manufacturer of flexible metal tubes, expansion joints, metal bellows and automotive components. With over 3,600 employees in 23 subsidiaries in 18 countries, the group produces and sells tailor-made technical solutions for customers from all industry sectors. A global technological leader within its sector, the group has the most extensive product range and offers its special expertise in the field of flexible metallic pipeline elements.
In a tête-à-tête with MOTORINDIA, Mr. Hubert Fricker, Team Manager, Commercial Vehicles and Engines Division, Witzenmann GmbH, gave an update on his company’s progress in the Indian market. Mr. Fricker says: “We have been in India since 2001 and have two production sites in the country. In 2006, we set up a metal bellows assembly operation in Kolkata for industrial applications, and in 2008 our Chennai plant was established to manufacture exhaust decouplers for the automotive industry. With the expected rise in local demand, we propose increasing our production levels in India, whereby joint ventures would be one of the possibilities.”
With sharp focus on R&D, the company products would conform to the impending emission regulations including BS IV, BS V and higher. At present, the company supplies products for BS III applications in the commercial vehicle industry and is also developing partners for exhaust decouplers for some BS IV applications in India. “The Indian market is very significant for us because our subsidiary here is capable of meeting the demands of our other companies across the globe as well”, he adds. Globally, Witzenmann already caters to Euro V and Euro VI applications, a capability which differentiates it from most of its competitors in the Indian market.
Witzenmann has a 60 per cent market share in the Indian passenger car segment while it works with leading OEMs in the commercial vehicle space. Globally, the Witzenmann Group has crossed a turnover of Euro 500 million and enjoys over 50 per cent market share for its products in the passenger car and commercial vehicle segments.