KUKA Systems delivers to new Volkswagen plant in India

VW has just ordered equipment for the new production plant in Chakan in the state of Maharashtra in Western India. It will be used for attaching add-on components (doors and flaps) for three different models: the Skoda Fabia as well as two editions of the VW Polo (with and without notchback) designed for the special requirements of emerging markets. The order, which is worth tens of millions, will be completed within the next 24 months.

"India is a very fast growing market in the automotive sector. As a leading producer of high-end manufacturing systems it is of strategic importance for us to be present there“, says Dr. Stefan Soehn, CEO at KUKA Systems GmbH in Augsburg, Germany. "We feel excelled that we may to contribute to this great and important project of our valued customer Volkswagen AG. For decades we have had a very successful working relationship with this great car manufacturer.“ Recently, KUKA Systems had been intensively involved in the Golf and Tiguan project.

The Chakan plant is located in the industrial area around the city of Pune (pop.: around 3 million people). The city is traditionally a centre of engine manufacturing and associated by many with the founder of the ashram there, Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh. It is now regarded as the second automotive centre in the sub-continent, after Chennai (Madras) and nicknamed “Detroit of India” by the media. It is home to several well known international car manufacturers apart from VW, as well as to TATA, the leading car company of India, which is currently hitting the headlines with its new models. Production is about to start on its "Indica" and "Indigo“ models soon, with manufacturing systems also supplied by KUKA Systems.

KUKA has established a new branch in Pune to handle projects and provide customer support. KUKA Automation Equipment (India) Pvt. Ltd. is involved locally in the project.

KUKA Systems

KUKA Systems is an international supplier of flexible, robot-based automation systems for the automotive, aerospace, solar and manufacturing industries.

Approximately 3,600 employees are involved in the creation and design of solutions for automated manufacturing, as well as making products and providing services for almost all tasks associated with the industrial processing of metals and nonmetals and press dies.

The entire portfolio of products and services is internationally marketed and supported by subsidiaries and sales offices in Europe, the Americas and Asia.
In 2007, KUKA Systems generated sales of over EUR 900 million.