Indian hub will boost innovation and efficiency

With India expected to become the world’s third-largest economy by 2030, Sandvik sees huge potential for growth. In line with the company’s 2030 strategy, which includes strengthening its presence in high-growth markets, Sandvik is currently transforming its Intelligent Manufacturing development site in Pune into an Innovation Hub. This not only reinforces India’s strategic importance, but will also support regional growth, accelerate innovation in digital thread and AI, and contribute to global product development.

Expanding digital manufacturing capabilities

The existing facility, which primarily hosts Cimatron®, Mastercam® and SigmaNEST®, three Sandvik CAD/CAM software brands, already has a strong team of engineers and developers dedicated to digital manufacturing innovation. It is now being expanded both physically and through a larger engineering footprint in R&D, software, AI, and customer support. Recruitment and workspace redesign are already in progress, with the innovation hub expected to be fully operational early 2026.

“The transformation into an innovation hub reflects our strong commitment to future-proofing our business and accelerating technology development,” says Magnus Malmström, Chief Technology Officer for Intelligent Manufacturing. “Our goal is to foster cross-functional collaboration, strengthen R&D capabilities, and drive a shift in AI-infused customer experience to simplify manufacturing.”

Leadership driving innovation in India

The recently recruited managing director for the India innovation hub, Anil Ghegade, brings extensive experience from leadership roles in manufacturing, industrial products, and off-highway machinery, along with a proven track record of establishing and scaling innovation centers, both in India and globally.

“With the scaling up of operations, Sandvik also aims to accelerate commercial growth in the local market and better support the company’s global technology roadmap,” says Ghegade.

Why Pune was chosen as the hub location

Pune, India was selected as the hub due to its abundance of engineering talent, proximity to academic institutions and its thriving tech community. “We already have a well-established presence here within Machining, and expanding in Pune allows us to build on our existing strengths, enable synergies, maintain continuity, and tap into India's growing pool of digital expertise,” Ghegade explains.

Bringing together top talent, cutting-edge tools, and a culture of innovation through the innovation hub will enhance the ability to develop smarter, more efficient solutions. It will also improve agility and responsiveness to market demands, ensuring that Sandvik customers benefit from faster time-to-market, better support, and more customized solutions.

Global reach of the Pune innovation hub

“This is more than just an infrastructure investment – it’s a statement of intent. It shows our belief in the talent here in India and our commitment to building future-ready capabilities,” says Ghegade.

For investors, customers, and employees alike, it signals a bold step toward sustained innovation and global competitiveness.

And although it’s located in India, the innovation hub will function as a central competence and resource center, to serve Intelligent Manufacturing business units globally.

“It’s not just about a new space – it’s about enabling our teams to work more closely, creatively, and efficiently together,” says Ghegade. “I’m most excited about the collaborative energy and synergy impacts the hub will bring. I look forward to seeing new ideas take shape faster and to simplify manufacturing.”