“Overall, the business has been growing steadily. As more investments are made in these harsh and hazardous areas, the demand for certified solutions that ensure reliability, safety, and sustainability, which Eaton Crouse-Hinds provides, increases. We are currently evaluating the impact of tariffs with our finance and tax teams to strategize accordingly.” Philipose Jacob, Country Director, GEIS, India, Eaton
Could you please provide an overview of Eaton Crouse-Hinds’ business, particularly in India?
Eaton’s Crouse-Hinds and B-Line business is headquartered in Syracuse, New York. The India business reports into the Europe, Middle East, Africa, and India Business Unit of Eaton Crouse-Hinds. We have been operating in India for over two decades, celebrating more than 25 years last year. Our operations include a manufacturing plant based out of Chennai with approximately 250 employees, an R&D and core engineering team of about 65-70 people also in Chennai, and a support centre for EMEA operations with around 40-50 staff. Our commercial teams are spread across India.
What are the primary market segments that Eaton Crouse-Hinds serves globally and in India?
Our market segment, both in India and globally, is predominantly oil and gas. We specialize in harsh and hazardous areas where there’s a possibility of flammable gas being present during normal operations. This includes refineries, onshore and offshore oil and gas platforms, paint and chemical industries, marine, and mining sectors. These segments are highly regulated, with strong emphasis on policies, reliability, safety, and sustainability. All our products undergo rigorous certifications, and we maintain a high level of compliance, which is a significant differentiator in this competitive market.
You mentioned focusing on hazardous environments. We observed some cameras, which seem to be designed for such conditions. Could you elaborate on your product offerings for these areas?
Correct. The cameras you saw, we also offer a GRP (Glass Reinforced Polyester) camera as a lighter alternative, which is a new product. We are launching three new products at this show. Every six months, we introduce new products; for instance, the GRP camera platform was initially launched in Chennai in March, and this is the latest version of the product.
Could you tell us more about the new products being launched at Automation Expo 2025?
B-Line Series Support Systems: This provides a robust cable management and structural support solutions for industries exposed to corrosive or explosive atmospheres. Built for demanding oil, gas, and chemical environments, these systems ensure both safety and reliability while simplifying installation and long-term maintenance.
Flextray System: For modern data centers, Eaton launched the Flextray System, a wire-mesh cable tray that combines modularity with ease of installation. Its open design improves airflow and facilitates quick cable routing, making it ideal for facilities that require adaptable and scalable infrastructure to meet evolving technology needs.
MTL Zone Guardian: This is an AC/DC surge protection device specifically targeting the renewable energy segment in India. Inspired by the Prime Minister’s Surya Kiran project, where solar plants protect every house, each solar plant requires a combiner box with AC and DC surge protection. Our MTL Zone Guardian is 100% designed and made in India by our R&D engineers in Chennai, a testament to local content. While we have always offered oil and gas SPDs globally, this product marks our expansion into the renewables market.
New Metallic Beacon for Notification Appliances: The newly launched XB15M MEDC Beacon series for the harsh and hazardous area notification appliances. For example, in a gas leak scenario, like an H2S leak which loses its odour quickly, our beacons flash blue to notify occupants. Similarly, we have certified fire alarm beacons. We are now launching a new metallic beacon, which is the next in this range, offering a full series.
Explosion-Proof LED Light: For hazardous areas classified as Zone 1 and Zone 2 based on the presence of flammable gases, we are launching a completely made-in-India explosion-proof LED light. This product, with several variants, is also designed and manufactured in Chennai.
Crouse-Hinds ROI LED Lighting Calculator: The calculator offers organizations a data-driven way to measure potential energy savings, maintenance cost reductions, and return on investment for lighting upgrades.
Beyond these new products for hazardous areas, what other offerings are you showcasing?
We are showcasing our fire and gas safety products, CCTV systems, alarms, lighting, and power distribution solutions for process automation We are also showcasing our cable management systems, designed for the data centre segment. India is expected to see a huge surge in data centre construction as countries aim to geofence their data. Our Eaton B-Line series of cable management systems are known for their reliability and are already supporting major datacentre players.
“We are constructing a new plant in Chennai, adding another 100,000 square feet of capacity. We plan to inaugurate it by the end of next year. Once completed, many of these products, including the B-Line series, will also be manufactured in India.”
Are all your products manufactured at your Chennai plant?
Currently, the B-Line cable management systems are imported from the USA. However, we are constructing a new plant in Chennai, adding another 100,000 square feet of capacity. We plan to inaugurate it by the end of next year. Once completed, many of these products, including the B-Line series, will also be manufactured in India.
Does your Chennai plant engage in exports?
Yes, our Chennai plant has always been an export facility. It is the only plant in Eaton’s Crouse-Hinds business that manufactures and exports surge protection devices globally. We export to all European countries, Asia Pacific countries, the Middle East and the USA.
How has the business performed over the last year, especially considering the current tariffs?
Overall, the business has been growing steadily. As more investments are made in these harsh and hazardous areas, the demand for certified solutions that ensure reliability, safety, and sustainability, which Eaton Crouse-Hinds provides, increases. We are currently evaluating the impact of tariffs with our finance and tax teams to strategize accordingly.
“Our R&D centre started several years ago with just five engineers, primarily as a back-office engineering team. Today, it has grown significantly, employing principal engineers, solution architects, subject matter experts, and domain experts.”
Could you tell us more about your R&D centre in Chennai, which you mentioned has around 60 engineers?
Our R&D centre started several years ago with just five engineers, primarily as a back-office engineering team. Today, it has grown significantly, employing principal engineers, solution architects, subject matter experts, and domain experts. We have established Centres of Excellence (COEs) catering to different product requirements. For example, a product like the beacon requires hardware engineers, while a CCTV camera requires hardware, firmware, and software engineers. So, beyond manufacturing, we are also heavily involved in engineering and product development in India through our R&D centre in Chennai.
