Closer to the market: Krones opens new plant in India

With a new plant in Vemagal, near Bangalore, Krones is further expanding its presence in India. The new site adds to the company's existing network in the country and will help to build manufacturing and expertise closer to the market.

Some investments can be measured in square meters, machines or production capacity. Others reveal their value primarily in terms of how they impact a company’s collaboration with customers and partners. Krones’ new plant in Vemagal aims to do both: It expands the company’s production capabilities in India while also underlining Krones’ long-term commitment to the country.

The official opening on 19 August 2026 marks an important milestone in Krones’ continued development in India, one of the world’s most important growth markets for the beverage, food and packaging industries and where demand for powerful production and packaging solutions is rising.

From a temporary office building ...
... to the foundation stone laying ...
... and the blessing of the new facility ...
... to the grand opening ...
... only 18 months elapsed.

Growing our network

Krones has been represented in India for many years, with companies and competence centers in Bangalore, Hyderabad and Mumbai covering various aspects of the Krones portfolio. With Vemagal, Krones has added a production plant that expands the existing network and enables more local value creation.

The new site’s activities will include the assembly of ErgoBloc series and Compact Class equipment as well as machines for the dry end. Plans for the facility also include blowing-mold and spare-parts manufacture. In the final stage of expansion, the roughly 100,000-square-meter property will feature approximately 60,000 square meters of production space.

3/ Ein Netzwerk wächst weiter — The first ErgoBloc L is already on the assembly floor. It was jointly built in Neutraubling, Germany, before being block-integrated in India.

Local production in India will be expanded in stages. For Krones, the goal is to build up local expertise and further develop the supply chain. The plant is designed to serve customers in India and to gradually increase the share of parts and equipment made locally. All processes and products will continue to reflect the standards of Krones’ global network.

“For our customers, the stronger local presence means shorter distances, faster response times and even closer cooperation over the course of their projects. By expanding our local manufacturing and on-site expertise, Krones can also respond more flexibly to the needs of the Indian market,” explains Ralf Goldbrunner.

Global experience, local implementation

Vemagal stands for more than production and assembly. It also reflects Krones’ commitment to bringing the expertise of our global network to bear while addressing the conditions and requirements of the local market.

Teams from India, Germany and other international offices worked together throughout the planning and setup phases. Site selection, construction, logistics, procurement, IT, finance and human resources development all took place in parallel over several months. Engineers, project teams, suppliers and external partners contributed their expertise, as did Krones colleagues working in the background to set up the systems and processes for the new facility.

2/ Globale Erfahrung, lokal umgesetzt — Even throughout the planning and construction phases teams from India, Germany and other international subsidiaries collaborated closely.

This collaborative effort also shaped how knowledge was shared and local expertise was developed. A new plant isn’t built by simply putting existing structures in a new location. Processes need to suit the circumstances on site, employees need the right knowledge and skills and the structures must be able to stand the test of time.

Opening in Vemagal

Representatives of the government of the Indian state of Karnataka, members of India’s parliament and of the state legislative assembly, representatives from the German Consulate General and of regional agencies, trade associations and industry came together for the official opening and celebrated the plant’s inauguration together with Krones employees.

Impressions from the opening ceremony
Impressions from the opening ceremony
Impressions from the opening ceremony
Impressions from the opening ceremony
Impressions from the opening ceremony

For Thomas Wolter, Managing Director of Krones Machinery India, proximity to customers was the main focus:

“This new plant is far more than a production facility. It brings us closer to our customers and enables us to better address the specific needs of the Indian market. At the same time, it creates attractive career opportunities for local skilled workers and helps us build the expertise we need for the future.”

Just 18 months after the project’s launch, the opening also marks the transition from the setup phase to the operational phase. With the successful commissioning complete, responsibility for the site was handed over to the local team, who will shape the further development and operations on site.

The next phase begins

With the plant’s opening, the focus has shifted to the next steps: Further expansion stages are planned, each of which will increase production capacity at Vemagal and the share of manufacturing done locally.

But this project is not only about production. Krones also intends to further develop expertise in areas such as engineering, technical support and service in India. As such, Vemagal will grow with the needs of the market and enable Krones to collaborate more closely with customers in India.

The combination of local manufacturing, engineering, service and support will further boost the site’s importance within Krones’ international network in the years ahead.