The opening of a newly relocated and significantly enlarged Cyclo Centre in Pune, India, marks an important step for Sumitomo Drive Technologies and the wider Sumitomo Heavy Industries group, strengthening local capabilities in India and supporting closer collaboration with Europe and the EMEIA region.
The Pune site supports the local assembly, configuration, testing, and servicing of Cyclo and power transmission solutions, including gear units and related drive technologies used across a wide range of industrial sectors.
By expanding engineering support, after-sales service, maintenance, and lifecycle capabilities, the Cyclo Centre enables faster response times, shorter lead times, and closer technical support for customers across India, while also supporting the growing installed base built up over decades.
Completed in just eight months, the new facility expands local assembly, engineering, service, and lifecycle support, while providing space designed for future growth.
Speaking at the opening ceremony this week, Florian Butzmann, Head of SDT’s Drive Technologies EMEIA and CEO of SCG Group, said: “This moment is not only about a new building or a larger footprint. It is about a journey, about trust in the future, and above all about the people who made this journey possible.”
Looking back at the SDT’s development in India, he added: “The internal handover to the EMEIA region in 2016 was an important and necessary step. It allowed us to strengthen governance and compliance while creating the foundation for sustainable growth.”
As demand for local service and shorter lead times has increased, the role of localisation has become more important.
“Strengthening local assembly, engineering, service, and supply capabilities is not only a response to logistical and regulatory challenges,” Mr Butzmann said. “It is a clear commitment to our customers and partners in India.”
Joris Blommaerts, Deputy Managing Director of SHI Europe, highlighted the pace of delivery and the wider impact of the expansion: “Being a guest at the opening ceremony showed me what positive energy and a real can-do attitude can bring. In only eight months, the team delivered a brand-new facility that gives our teams more space and better workflows, and creates the right environment to collaborate, learn, and deliver for our customers every day.”
He added: “This expansion allows us to grow local capabilities and offer more development opportunities for colleagues in India. This increasing footprint in India also allows our European companies to increase their footprint in the fast-growing Indian market.”
Looking ahead, the focus remains firmly on people, standards, and long-term performance.
“I want to thank everyone who contributed to making this expansion happen, from planning through execution,” Mr Blommaerts said. “Our focus stays clear: a safe workplace, strong standards, and a culture where people can perform at their best and take pride in what we build together.”
Masazumi Suzuki, Deputy Managing Director, SHI Europe, added: “This facility further increases the growing presence of Sumitomo Heavy Industries in the Indian continent, in line with other recent expansions here within our other operating segments.”