Baerlocher’s investment in Dewas (near Indore), Madhya Pradesh marked a defining moment—not only for the company but also for the region’s industrial ecosystem. This was not just the commissioning of another company blending additives for the PVC industry; it represented a major leap in technical capability, sustainability leadership, and long-term commitment to India’s fast-growing infrastructure sector.
A Strategic Shift Toward Scalable Growth
Once a strong operational foundation is established, many German multinational companies in India make a deliberate leadership transition—from steady-state management to growth-driven execution. Baerlocher followed this classic and proven path.
The shift from a successful, long-standing Managing Director to a growth-and-scale leader reflected the company’s ambition to fully leverage its investments and prepare for the next phase of expansion. The Dewas facility was designed with significant capacity headroom, signaling intent well beyond short-term production needs.
Building a Technical Edge in the Indian Market
Baerlocher has long been recognized for its leadership in sustainable calcium-based stabilizers, helping industries transition away from lead-based alternatives. However, its competitive advantage in India extended far beyond product reputation.
Through vertical integration into specialized chemical processes, including the production of metal soaps and b>specialized acid reactions, Baerlocher gained a powerful edge in both cost efficiency and quality control. These capabilities allowed the company to serve the Indian PVC and pipes industry with solutions that were not only compliant with global standards but also optimized for local market conditions.
The “Double the Business” Mandate
The Dewas facility near Indore was built with a clear mandate: scale. With India witnessing a massive boom in PVC usage and infrastructure development, the opportunity to grow rapidly was evident.
To capitalize on this demand, Baerlocher focused on appointing leadership capable of “sweating the assets”—maximizing utilization, accelerating output, and driving the facility toward full operational capacity. This growth-focused approach ensured that the plant did not remain underutilized but instead became a central driver of business expansion.
Sustainability as a Core Growth Driver
Baerlocher’s role as a first-mover in lead-free stabilizers positioned the company as a sustainability leader in India. This proactive alignment with global environmental standards not only strengthened regulatory compliance but also reinforced trust with customers seeking future-ready solutions.
Sustainability was not treated as an add-on but as a strategic pillar supporting long-term growth.
Why the Dewas facility Matters
Today, the Dewas facility serves as a critical hub for both domestic supply and exports. Scaling operations here enabled Baerlocher to unlock multiple advantages:
- Localized R&D, allowing additives to be tailored for South Asia’s unique heat and humidity conditions
- Supply chain control, reducing dependency on imports by manufacturing core chemical components—including acid-related processes—on-site
The company is firmly on track to achieve its targeted growth numbers, validating both the investment and the strategic leadership shift.
A Blueprint for Sustainable Industrial Growth
Baerlocher’s Dewas success story demonstrates how strategic leadership transitions, technical depth, and sustainability-first thinking can transform a manufacturing investment into a scalable growth engine. It stands as a strong example of how global expertise, when localized effectively, can deliver long-term value in the Indian market.
