From a trading-led start to a leadership position in local lift manufacturing, Arkel India’s new Vadodara facility marks a decisive inflection point. Vadiraj Katti and Abhijeet Joglekar detail the shift from imports to localisation, reducing dependency while positioning the plant as an Asia-Pacific export hub—in conversation with EFY’s Shubha Mitra.
Q. How does this investment into a new manufacturing facility fit into the company’s long-term strategy for India and the broader Asia-Pacific region?
A. (Vadiraj Katti): Arkel is now part of the Swedish group, Innova Lift Group, and has recently inaugurated a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Vadodara. This marks a significant step in the group’s long-term expansion strategy in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region and reinforces its commitment to India as a key manufacturing and innovation hub.
The plant is highly advanced, with automated printed circuit board (PCB) assembly lines and smart manufacturing systems. It will serve not only the Indian market but also the wider APAC region, positioning itself as a core regional centre.
The company offers a comprehensive range of elevator controllers, and this facility enables localisation of most components, allowing it to serve both domestic and regional demand more efficiently. Additionally, for other companies within the Innova Lift Group, this plant will serve as a regional base for expansion into the APAC market.
Q. Arkel India has long focused on advanced elevator electronics. What sparked the move into local manufacturing, and how does this reshape its role in India’s elevator ecosystem?
A. (Vadiraj Katti): Earlier, the company imported products from Europe and sold them in India, with no local manufacturing. Despite this, the business grew nearly tenfold over the past seven to eight years, starting from a small trading operation. Given this growth, both Innova Lift Group and Arkel management recognised the need to establish a manufacturing presence in India.
India is now the second-largest elevator market globally after China, with an estimated annual demand of 125,000 to 150,000 units. This presents a substantial opportunity for component manufacturers. Rapid economic growth, driven by expansion across real estate, infrastructure, airports, railways, hospitals, residential projects, and villas, further strengthens this case.
Meanwhile, local manufacturing aligns with the Government of India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative and improves delivery speed and efficiency while strengthening the company’s position within the domestic ecosystem.
Q. In what ways will the new facility help reduce import dependency, and how would you describe the domestic supply chain in this market?
A. (Vadiraj Katti): Previously, we imported finished goods. Now, its import dependency has dropped from nearly 100 per cent to 70–80 per cent with local manufacturing. Most components are now manufactured locally, except for certain electronic components that are not yet available in India.
As mentioned earlier, the company produces PCBs and finished goods in-house while sourcing sheet metal enclosures, switchgear, transformers, cables, connectors, and other components from domestic suppliers. Earlier, these were imported either as finished products or as spare parts. This transition reduces reliance on imports and strengthens local procurement, making the supply chain more resilient.
Q. Could you elaborate on the technological capabilities of this facility and how it will support the production of integrated lift control systems?
A. (Dr Abhijeet Joglekar): The facility has the capacity to produce up to 36,000 monoblock control panels annually on a single shift. Arkel has consistently been a technological leader in global markets. While the industry moved from VVVF drives to integrated drives, Arkel has advanced further to monoblock control panels, staying ahead of market trends.
This is a full-fledged facility in India with end-to-end in-house manufacturing, from PCB assembly to drive production. A key advantage of these monoblock panels is their modularity. A single product can accommodate mid-rise building requirements of up to 16 stops, enabling standardisation, easier installation, and faster site handover.
The facility now produces the latest Arcube IS-17900 panels in India.
Panels are also designed in alignment with architectural requirements. Since aesthetics and space constraints are important, especially for architects, panels are offered in varying sizes and form factors while maintaining consistent performance.
In addition to traction elevator systems, hydraulic control panels are also manufactured. These are particularly relevant for retrofitting elevators in existing buildings, villas, and duplex apartments where installing traction systems may not be feasible.
Q. How important are regulatory standards such as IS 17900 in shaping the future of elevator electronics in India?
A. (Vadiraj Katti): They are critical. New standards play a key role in enhancing safety across the sector. IS 17900 is closely aligned with, and in some aspects slightly more stringent than, European standards.
Such regulations improve safety for passengers, buildings, and infrastructure. They also increase user confidence in elevator systems and add value to real estate projects by ensuring higher safety benchmarks.
As standards evolve, there is greater emphasis on component quality and operational safety. All elevator companies in India will need to adopt these standards in phases. Over time, this will lead to safer buildings and significantly improve the country’s overall safety landscape.
Q. What were the key safety challenges before the introduction of the new standards, and how do the updated regulations address these risks?
A. (Vadiraj Katti): While it is difficult to discuss technical details, the new standards place significantly greater emphasis on safety.
Earlier, there were accidents, particularly during elevator maintenance, due to insufficient protective measures for service personnel. The updated standards introduce additional safeguards, making the work environment safer and more reliable for maintenance personnel.
From an operational perspective, enhanced protections have been incorporated to address malfunctions, including risks such as uncontrolled movement in either direction. Improvements have also been made to braking systems.
Overall, both electrical and mechanical safety measures have been strengthened, benefiting users and maintenance personnel alike.
Q. Lifts are becoming increasingly intelligent and connected. What is your perspective on the role of IoT, digital controls, and predictive maintenance in this evolution?
A. (Dr Abhijeet Joglekar): Arkel has consistently focused on innovation and is a technology-driven organisation. IoT-enabled solutions were introduced alongside its entry into the Indian market, with a strong emphasis on remote monitoring.
The systems enable real-time monitoring through a device connected to the control panel. Users can access travel logs, error reports, and diagnostic data via a cloud-based platform using authorised credentials. This allows performance tracking from any internet-enabled device, including mobile phones and computers.
A remote alarm intercom system is also offered. In situations where passengers are trapped, the system can trigger a GSM-based call system to pre-designated contacts, enabling immediate communication and faster response.
In addition, there is a focus on energy efficiency through regenerative drives, which can save up to 35 per cent of energy.
Another key area is the use of virtual reality-based applications for installation and troubleshooting. These applications provide a digital representation of control panels and step-by-step operational guidance, eliminating the need for physical manuals.
They also help minimise errors by offering diagnostics, probable causes, and corrective actions, thereby improving the interface between users and machines and enhancing overall reliability.
Q. The facility is expected to generate employment. Is Arkel collaborating with technical institutions to develop specialised skills?
A. (Vadiraj Katti): Vadodara is a prominent educational hub, and the company is currently engaging with colleges and universities. The objective is to onboard interns and provide training aligned with industry requirements.
As the organisation grows, there will be a need for skilled talent, and these collaborations will help create both direct and indirect employment opportunities for young professionals entering the sector.
Q. With this milestone, does India appear set to emerge as an export hub for elevator electronics?
A. (Dr Abhijeet Joglekar): India is steadily positioning itself as a global manufacturing hub across sectors such as automotive and energy, supported by a strong talent base and policy initiatives like ‘Make in India’. Exporting control panels manufactured in India is a key objective.
India’s improving infrastructure and connectivity provide a strategic advantage. As elevators become essential across residential, commercial, and industrial segments, demand for advanced control systems will continue to grow.
Arkel offers solutions across the spectrum, from home lifts to high-capacity freight and high-rise applications, including both traction and hydraulic systems. With multiple global companies also expanding their presence in India, the country is well-positioned to emerge as a significant export base for elevator electronics.
Q. Is Arkel benefiting from central or state government policies supporting electronics manufacturing?
A. (Vadiraj Katti): The company falls under the scope of both the central and state electronics policies and works closely with the Government of Gujarat. These frameworks have supported its investment in the region, and it is expected to benefit from associated policy incentives.
Q. Could you outline the operational timeline of the facility and any future expansion plans?
A. (Vadiraj Katti): The facility has been operational since December 2025. Phase one involved an investment of approximately ₹1 billion and has been under development for the past two years.
While there are plans for further expansion, these remain at the design stage and cannot be disclosed. For now, the focus remains on stabilising and scaling operations within the existing facility.
