HENN Connector Group’s recent inauguration of its new assembly facility in Chennai marks a decisive step in the company’s global expansion strategy. This state‐of‐the‐art plant not only symbolizes HENN’s long‐term commitment to the rapidly evolving Indian automotive and industrial sectors, but it also provides a robust platform for leveraging local manufacturing capabilities to serve both domestic and export markets across the Indo-Pacific region. In a series of detailed discussions, President & CEO Martin Ohneberg and Sharath Sreekumar, Managing Director of HENN Indo-Pacific Pvt. Ltd., shared their insights on how this venture will transform production, reduce supply chain vulnerabilities, and accelerate innovation in connector technology.
A Strategic Milestone for Local Production
The Chennai facility is the culmination of a vision that began nearly two years ago when HENN Connector Group first contemplated establishing a production site in India. “It’s a very important step. It’s the first small step for sure,” noted Martin Ohneberg, emphasizing the significance of local production as a means of shortening cycle times and enhancing market responsiveness. This investment is designed not only to boost manufacturing efficiency but also to ensure that products are tailored to meet regional customer needs.
Sharath Sreekumar elaborated on the dual objectives behind the new plant, “HENN Connector division has 2 major product lines – one is metal and another plastic. The 2 main goals of setting up this facility in India is one is to promote our unique metal connector range with the crimping solution to OEMs in India and support the existing OEMs who are already importing the parts for years, and the second is to localise as much as possible the plastic connector range and to be faster to the customers in the region.”
This dual focus not only supports the ‘Make in India’ initiative but also illustrates HENN’s confidence in India’s growing automotive and industrial markets.
Facility Overview and Operational Excellence
The Chennai plant spans 2000 square meters and is designed for scalability and efficiency. In its initial phase, the facility features one fully operational assembly line with an annual production capacity of 6 million parts. “The Chennai facility is 2000 sq. mt with 4 assembly lines planned in total in a phased manner. Right now, line 1 is fully operational and can produce 6 Mil parts annually,” explained Sharath. An initial investment of Euro 1 million has been dedicated to establishing the plant, which currently employs 12 staff members. Plans are in place to expand the workforce to 40 employees as additional production programs come online.
Localizing production brings significant cost advantages. With roughly 80% of the child parts already sourced from approved local partners, the plant benefits from lower logistics expenses and improved turnaround times. As Sharath highlighted, “As on date at least 80% of the child parts are already localised in India through various approved partners and this in combination with our modular product range has the unique advantage of being able to go to the market in a record time with new variations of products that customers need today, especially in the EV and battery cooling segments.”
This lean, efficient production model positions HENN to offer competitive pricing while maintaining the flexibility to adapt quickly to market demands.
Early Market Success and Customer Confidence
The real test of the facility’s potential lies in the early orders it has secured. One of the first major contracts was signed with an Indian OEM that recently launched its pure electric vehicles. “Our first business is with an Indian OEM who launched their pure electric vehicles a couple of days back,” Sharath explained. The components supplied by HENN are critical for thermal management and battery cooling—key areas that ensure the performance and safety of electric vehicles.
In addition, another order from a Vietnamese OEM, in collaboration with an Indian Tier 1 supplier, is set to transition to full production by early April 2025. These early successes validate HENN’s decision to invest in local production, reinforcing the company’s reputation as a trusted supplier capable of meeting both domestic and export market needs.
Global Engineering and Collaborative Innovation
Beyond localized production, HENN Connector Group is building a global engineering team that blends European expertise with local talent. “We want to have a global engineering team, not just Indian for Indian. We also want that the Indian boy works for the rest of the world,” stated Martin Ohneberg. This vision underscores the company’s commitment to fostering cross-cultural collaboration and innovation. The newly established engineering center in Pune is key to this strategy, acting as a bridge between HENN’s European operations and the dynamic, cost-effective approaches available in India. This collaborative model not only accelerates product development but also ensures that HENN’s solutions are tailored to meet diverse market needs.
Agile Production and Competitive Pricing
Local assembly in Chennai provides HENN with substantial operational and cost benefits. The plant’s lean, automated production processes help keep overheads low, allowing the company to pass on these savings through competitive pricing. The modular design of its connector products further enhances the plant’s agility, enabling rapid adjustments and quick introductions of new product variations—a critical factor in the fast-paced electric vehicle (EV) and battery cooling segments.
Martin underscored this advantage by noting, “Securing your supply chain for the future is important.” With production closer to key markets, HENN can significantly reduce lead times and better manage fluctuations in demand. This responsiveness not only differentiates HENN from its competitors but also reinforces its commitment to delivering high-quality, customized solutions promptly.
Strengthening Regional Supply Chains and Export Capabilities
In today’s volatile global environment, maintaining a resilient supply chain is paramount. By manufacturing locally in Chennai, HENN mitigates risks associated with long lead times and potential disruptions in global logistics. The strategic location of the plant ensures faster delivery times to key markets within India, and its integration with facilities in China and Mexico creates a robust network capable of adapting quickly to market changes.
Looking forward, HENN Connector Group has ambitious plans for expanding its export capabilities. Sharath outlined the company’s broader vision, “As the company name indicates our intention is to serve the Indo-pacific region eventually once we have the required site approvals from the respective customers.”
With an additional manufacturing presence in Taichang, China, HENN is well positioned to cater to major markets in Japan, Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam. The technical support provided by the Pune engineering center further strengthens this export strategy, ensuring that customers across the region receive high-quality, tailor-made connector solutions.
Future Outlook: 2025 and Beyond
As the company sets its sights on 2025, both Martin and Sharath are focused on scaling up operations, refining production processes, and expanding the customer base. “From an assembly plant point of view, our intention this year is to get the site prepared in line with the various customer-specific requirements for both domestic and export markets, in line with our global HENN production systems, and simultaneously work towards various quality system certifications,” explained Sharath.
Meanwhile, the Pune technical center is actively developing a product roadmap that aligns local innovations with global engineering standards. Martin encapsulated the company’s pragmatic approach, stating, “I always say, there are two possibilities. Either you lose the market because you don’t do something, or you make a big mistake.” This outlook underscores HENN’s willingness to embrace calculated risks and invest in innovation as essential strategies for staying competitive in a rapidly evolving market.
A Win-Win Strategy for Sustainable Growth
At its core, HENN’s expansion in India is built on a win-win philosophy that benefits both the company and its customers. “This is the business which we would like to do. It’s a win-win situation always, you know, for the supplier and the customer,” Martin stated. By integrating global engineering expertise with localized production, HENN is enhancing its operational capabilities while establishing itself as a reliable partner in the automotive connectivity space.
Sharath’s insights reinforce the company’s commitment to sustainable growth. With lean operations, robust local partnerships, and a dynamic engineering team, HENN Connector Group is well-prepared to drive innovation and meet market demands across domestic and export markets. This integrated approach ensures the company remains agile, capable of adapting to industry changes, and ready to capitalize on emerging opportunities.
As HENN embarks on this exciting new chapter, the combined vision of Martin Ohneberg and Sharath Sreekumar provides a clear roadmap for the future. Their dedication to quality, innovation, and resilience positions HENN Connector Group as a leader in connector technology – one that is set to redefine industry standards and create lasting value for customers across the globe.
