A LEGACY FORGED IN AUTOMATION

In India’s rapidly evolving sheet metal manufacturing sector, few companies have influenced the shift toward automation as decisively as Salvagnini Machinery India. Known globally for panel bending technology, the company has steadily transformed Indian shop floors by replacing skill-dependent processes with intelligent, connected manufacturing systems.

The story of the company in India is not about rapid expansion, but about deliberate and steady technology- led growth. Puneet Sharma, Director, Salvagnini Machinery India, explains that the company’s focus from its early installations was on introducing complete automation concepts instead of standalone machines. “Today, we are the only sheet metal automation company in India with over 45 systems running at customer sites, including more than 100 panel benders,” he states.

Digital First, Strong Presence

One of the company’s defining milestones has been its leadership in Industry 4.0 adoption. It was among the first to introduce fully digital, connected manufacturing systems in India, with several successful smart-factory installations across industries.

Another defining achievement has been its dominant position in the Elevator sector. “We hold a 100 percent market share in automated lines within the Indian Elevator industry, serving global leaders such as Kone Elevator, Schindler India, OTIS Elevator, Fujitec, TK Elevators, Omega Elevators, and Aaron Industries,” he shares.

A Portfolio for Every Stage of Automation

Automation journeys rarely follow a single path, and the company’s product strategy embodies this guiding idea. Its portfolio, structured to support customers, begins with blanking solutions, extends through automated bending, and culminates in fully integrated Flexible Manufacturing Systems (FMS) that include automated punch-shear-bend lines, laser cutting systems, panel benders, and automated bending cells.

“Strategically, our focus has been on introducing technologies that eliminate process variability and dependency on manual skills,” he explains.

A key strategic move has been the introduction of a ‘Make in India’ laser cutting machine. Sharma emphasizes that while the core technology and critical components come from Italy, the machines are manufactured locally. “This approach allows us to deliver global-quality technology with local responsiveness,” he notes.

Panel benders remain the company’s flagship product. With more than 100 installations in the country, the range includes compact machines with a 1,250 mm bending length reaching 4,000 mm. To broaden access to automation, the company is also introducing a beginner panel bender under the new brand METEVO. “The new brand METEVO is specifically designed to help Indian customers transition from press brakes to automation for the first time,” he highlights.

What Automation Delivers on the Shop Floor

According to the Director, consistency is the most frequently cited benefit in quality and output among Indian customers after adopting Salvagnini automation. “Automation dramatically reduces scrap, eliminates rework, and ensures repeatable quality, regardless of operator skill levels. Customers also experience higher uptime, predictable production planning, and faster order fulfilment,” he adds.

Sharma notes that automation brings an important intangible advantage as well. “It introduces process discipline and manufacturing confidence by transforming sheet metal operations from being skill-dependent processes into data-driven, scalable production environments—an essential factor for global competitiveness,” he states.

Global R&D Philosophy

“Salvagnini’s global R&D philosophy strongly influences our Indian strategy,” he remarks. Automation, digital integration, and lean manufacturing are treated as core system elements and not optional features. “Our FMS are a direct reflection of this approach, and today we have more than 45 systems operating in India.”

On the software side, the company’s proprietary Order Processing System (OPS) plays a critical role. “OPS connects directly with customers’ enterprise resource planning/material requirements planning (ERP/MRP) systems, automatically generating production programs and optimizing material flow and enabling true lean manufacturing with minimal human intervention,” he explains, adding that this alignment between global R&D and local application allows Indian manufacturers to compete at international benchmarks.

Support in India

For the company, service excellence is central to its value proposition. Sharma highlights that 25 trained service technicians and six dedicated application engineers are currently employed. “This makes us one of the largest and most skilled service teams in the sheet metal automation space,” he emphasizes.

As the number of installations continues to grow, the company is simultaneously scaling its manpower and infrastructure. “A major step is the launch of our Technology Center in Hadapsar, Pune, scheduled to be operational by March 2026,” he reveals. The center will offer hands-on demonstrations, customer training, and direct exposure to the latest Salvagnini technologies, further strengthening its local support ecosystem.

Five-Year Vision

The company views India to be at a critical turning point. “Customers are rapidly moving away from standalone press brakes toward automated bending solutions such as panel benders,” he observes. “With the combination of Italian technology and ‘Make in India’ manufacturing, we expect three to four times growth in the next five years compared to the last five.”

Small and medium enterprises are expected to play a major role in this growth, supported by entry-level automation solutions such as the new brand METEVO panel bender. “Our goal is to democratize automation and make world-class technology accessible to a broader segment of Indian manufacturers.”

Showcasing at IMTEX FORMING 2026

At IMTEX FORMING 2026, organized by Indian Machine Tool Manufacturers’ Association (IMTMA) and scheduled to take place from January 21-25, 2026, the company plans to showcase its complete automation journey.

Exhibits will include the ‘Make in India’ laser cutting machine LXi, P2-1620.G4 panel bender from Salvagnini Austria — a state-of-the-art machine that reflects the true DNA of Salvagnini, and a newly introduced beginner panel bender from the new brand METEVO. Flipping to a page from the past, he shares the historical significance behind the technology, “Panel bending was pioneered over 60 years ago by Guido Salvagnini, and the P2-1620 carries that legacy forward.”

NITYASREE KUMARASWAMY Correspondent Magic Wand Media nityasree@magicwandmedia.in