Southco India plans to expand manufacturing capacity; increase resourcecs at Pune GCC

German multinational Southco which manufacturers access solutions such as latches, locks, handles or hinges has planned capacity expansion in its India operations by adding to its manufacturing capacity as well as human resources.
Southco Presidernt Thomas Mehler told mediapersons Wednesday that the company will set up in the next year its fourth manufacturing facility at Phulgaon where it has an exisisting plant. The company will also increase its workforce in its Pune based Global Capability Centre(GCC) from 100 now to 200 in the next year, Mehler said.
Southco has identified automotive, off-highway equipment and mass transit as established areas of business. “Global businesses having presence in India are on the path of increasing localisation of their operations and Southco India will benefit from this move. The company largely belives in manufacturing in India to serve its Indian customers rather than supporting customers elsewhere in the world, Mehler said.
Southco has identified automotive, off-highway equipment and mass transit as established areas of its business.
Southco India began manufacturing operations in India in 2008 with a facility in Ranjangaon near Pune. In 2022 it acquired Darshana Industries who manufactured the same product range and was its close competitor. The acquisition added two plants – Hadapsar and Phulgaon – to its manufacturing capacity. Darshana brought an established Indian brand and local manufacturing presence into the group, while Southco’s wider product portfolio and international network gave the combined business a broader platform.
“In order to meet the increasing aspirations of our customers we plan to expand capabilities with an additional plant at Phulgaon, ” Mehler said, adding that the plant will be operational in a year’s time. There is scope to increase capacity by 30 per cent at the Ranjangaon facility, he said.
Mehler said the company is increasing the strength of the Pune GCC by doubling the workforse from 100 now. The expanded GCC will enhance the company’s capability to serve Indian customers and integrate itself closely with GCCs worldwide, Mehler said.
Southco India  Country Head Prakash T. John gives the India business a strategic voice in these decisions, from market development to the direction of its Make in India work. Veeresh Manrai, General Manager of Business Development brings the customer and application perspective.