Philipose Jacob, Country Director, Global Energy Infrastructure Solutions (GEIS), Eaton, India
India's emergence as a global manufacturing hub is creating new opportunities for industrial technology companies to strengthen their local footprint while supporting global supply chains. Speaking to our Editor at Automation Expo 2026, Mumbai, Philipose Jacob, Country Director, Global Energy Infrastructure Solutions (GEIS), Eaton, India highlighted Eaton's strategic investments in manufacturing, new product development and digital technologies that are shaping the next phase of industrial growth.
"India is a strategic market for Eaton. We are strengthening our manufacturing capabilities to serve 'Make in India' for India, while also making India an export manufacturing hub for global markets," said Jacob. Eaton is significantly expanding its manufacturing presence in the country as part of its long-term growth strategy.
The company currently operates a 25,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility in Chennai, which is being expanded to 125,000 sq. ft., with the new facility planned for inauguration by March 2027. The expansion is expected to enhance production capacity, introduce additional product lines, strengthen research and development capabilities, and improve the company's ability to cater to both domestic and international markets.
Jacob noted that the investment reflects Eaton's confidence in India's manufacturing ecosystem and its growing importance within the company's global operations. At the exhibition, Eaton showcased two key innovations that underline this strategic shift.
The first is its new range of explosion proof cybersecurity cameras, currently awaiting final STQC approvals from the Government of India before commercial launch later this year. Designed for critical infrastructure, the solution combines industrial safety with advanced cybersecurity capabilities, addressing the increasing need to protect operational assets from cyber threats.
The second major showcase was Eaton's B-Line cable management systems for data centres. With India's data centre ecosystem witnessing rapid expansion, the company is localising these specialised cable tray solutions to serve global hyperscalers including Google, Microsoft, Amazon and Meta.
According to Jacob, Eaton has already begun securing significant orders from these customers, reinforcing the importance of robust and future-ready infrastructure for data centre operations. Eaton is thus embedding AI capabilities into edge devices to improve cybersecurity, enable real-time situational awareness and strengthen operational resilience, particularly across critical sectors such as oil and gas.
Concluding the interaction, Jacob offered a message for entrepreneurs entering the manufacturing sector, emphasising that while competition continues to intensify, long-term success depends on building strong teams and maintaining an unwavering customer-centric approach. "Think big, act boldly and win together," he said, reflecting the philosophy that continues to guide Eaton's growth journey in India.
