SKF India Completes Demerger and Appoints New Leadership to Drive Distinct Growth in Automotive and Industrial Segments!
By Ashutosh Arora
SKF India Limited has officially finalized its long-awaited demerger, effective October 1, 2025, marking a significant milestone in the company’s strategic transformation. The restructuring has created two independent entities: SKF India Limited, which will focus on the automotive segment, and SKF India (Industrial) Limited, which will concentrate on industrial solutions. While both companies will operate independently, they remain connected to SKF’s global network of innovation, research, and advanced engineering, ensuring continuity in technological excellence and market leadership.
As part of this restructuring, leadership appointments have been made to ensure dedicated focus for each business. Shailesh Kumar Sharma has been named Managing Director of SKF India Limited, overseeing the automotive segment. Sharma’s mandate includes driving the company’s expansion into electric vehicles, two-wheelers, and wheel-end bearing solutions. With manufacturing facilities in Haridwar, Pune, and Bangalore, the automotive arm of SKF India has set ambitious plans to scale its capacity by 2030, aligning with the broader push for electrification and premiumization in India’s mobility sector. Sharma emphasized that the newly independent structure gives the business “sharper focus and operational agility,” enabling it to respond quickly to evolving market needs.
Meanwhile, the industrial business will be spearheaded by Mukund Vasudevan, who currently serves as President for the Industrial Region across India and Southeast Asia. He has been appointed Managing Director of SKF India (Industrial) Limited, which is expected to be listed on the stock exchanges by November 2025. Vasudevan’s leadership is expected to accelerate SKF’s growth across core sectors such as heavy industries, renewable energy, railways, and other manufacturing verticals, building on the company’s strong presence and trusted reputation in industrial applications.
The demerger reflects SKF India’s strategy to carve out distinct growth paths for its two major businesses. The automotive market in India is undergoing a significant transformation driven by electrification, government incentives, and the rise of new mobility solutions. By operating independently, SKF India Limited will have the flexibility to invest in cutting-edge technologies, strengthen partnerships with OEMs, and capture new opportunities in both domestic and export markets. On the other hand, SKF India (Industrial) Limited will be positioned to deepen its focus on productivity-driven solutions, digitalization, and sustainability initiatives in industrial sectors, ensuring tailored strategies for long-term growth.
Despite the separation, both entities will continue to benefit from SKF’s global ecosystem of innovation and expertise. The shared heritage of SKF ensures that customers, partners, and stakeholders can expect consistency in quality, reliability, and technological advancement, while the independent structures provide greater operational efficiency and market responsiveness. The restructuring is also aimed at enhancing shareholder value, as the clear demarcation of businesses is expected to unlock new opportunities for investment and deliver improved financial performance.
Industry experts view the move as a timely and strategic decision, given India’s fast-changing industrial and mobility landscape. As the automotive market accelerates toward electrification and the industrial sector demands greater efficiency and sustainability, SKF’s decision to create focused, agile entities is expected to strengthen its competitive edge. With seasoned leaders at the helm and a clear strategic roadmap, SKF India is positioning itself to capture the opportunities of tomorrow while continuing its legacy as a trusted partner to customers across both industries.
