Hettich sees lack of infrastructure and skilled labour as major challenges in India

Hettich set up production facility in India in 2013 and in its 10 years, it has invested over 1000 crores in India. Last week, it inaugurated a new facility in Vadodara, adding to the already two. The company also broke ground for one more production plant in Indore, adding to the existent one plant. With these facilities, Hettich is poised to invest an additional Rs 700 to 800 crores in the coming years.

Despite the challenges of infrastructure and labour, Hettich finds India attractive for its cheaper costs and will be making the country its base for expanding its presence in nearby geographies.

"In Germany, for example, we have no issue with infrastructure and skilled people. We have the best-skilled people in the world in Germany, but the costs are very high. In India, it's more or less the opposite."

Hettich views India as a land of immense opportunity, with a rapidly growing population, a burgeoning middle-income segment, and one of the world's fastest-growing economies.

He said, "We are looking at India like the golden decade coming up—a fast-growing population, a fast-growing middle-income group, and the fastest-growing economy amongst all major economies in the world."

While the majority of Hettich's production caters to the Indian market, the company is gearing up for increased exports. Currently, 10-20 percent of the products manufactured in India, are exported. The share is expected to see a significant rise as the company increases it facilities in India with an aim to double the production capacity.

Hettich aims to target geographies like Middle East, Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia with its India expansion plans.

India has become a key player in Hettich's global operations, contributing over 10 percent of the company's corporate sales, which total 1.5 billion. Although Hettich remains a family-owned business and does not disclose profit figures, India's role as a growth engine for the company is evident.