V.G. Sakthikumar is Chairman and Managing Director of SCHWING Stetter India, with responsibility for operations across India, ASEAN and Africa. He brings more than three decades of experience in the construction equipment and ready-mix concrete industry, including two decades in senior operational leadership. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering and an MBA from the School of Management, Pondicherry University.
Associated with SCHWING Stetter since the beginning of its Indian operations in 1998, Sakthikumar has played a central role in its development from a small subsidiary of a German engineering company into one of India’s largest concrete equipment manufacturers. What began with a two-room office in Chennai developed into a substantial manufacturing, engineering and export business. By 2022, within its first 25 years, the Indian operation was contributing more than half of the SCHWING Group’s global business.
His leadership has spanned successive phases of infrastructure investment, changing customer requirements and economic uncertainty. During the pandemic, he maintained the company’s focus on long-term investment while strengthening remote technical support for customers. The commissioning of the 52-acre Global Manufacturing Hub at Cheyyar in 2021 was a significant step in this approach, expanding production capacity and introducing advanced manufacturing processes for domestic and international markets. The company subsequently recorded growth of more than 54 per cent in 2022 compared with 2021.
An important part of his work has been building the local capabilities needed to support international growth. He established in-house research and development and has championed the Global Capability Centre in India, strengthening engineering, digitalisation and support for global operations. His approach also extends to helping European technology companies develop their presence in India.
Continued investment in manufacturing includes a recent 10-acre expansion near Jamshedpur, adding 20,000 square metres of space to support the company’s next phase of growth.
Alongside his corporate responsibilities, Sakthikumar has contributed extensively to industry development through the Indian Construction Equipment Manufacturers’ Association (ICEMA). He serves as Convener of its Manufacturing & Supply Chain Panel and previously served as Treasurer from 2023 to 2025. His earlier responsibilities include Governing Council participation, leadership of the Membership Panel and work on industry data through the Data Panel and Industry Analysis & Insights Panel. These roles have involved manufacturing competitiveness, component indigenisation, supplier development, market intelligence and policy engagement.
His association with the Builders’ Association of India includes close to two decades as Chairman of its Mechanization Committee. He has also participated in meetings of the Global Alliance for Construction Equipment (GACE), contributing his Indian industry perspective to international discussions. His wider industry engagement includes the Confederation of Indian Industry, the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce, VDMA and the Infrastructure Equipment Skill Council.
Sakthikumar places particular importance on developing people alongside manufacturing capability. He has encouraged women’s participation in welding, production and technical service, supported an all-women construction equipment service centre, and promoted opportunities for employees to pursue higher qualifications while continuing their careers. His contribution to inclusion was recognised with the Committed Leader for Women Empowerment award, presented by the Confederation of Indian Industry at CII EXCON 2023.
His leadership recognitions also include CEO of the Year at the Equipment Times Awards 2024. In 2023, he accepted Leadership Management International’s World Client of the Year award on behalf of SCHWING Stetter India in Las Vegas, recognising the organisation’s work in leadership development.
His experience brings a practical perspective to India–Europe industrial cooperation: how international engineering expertise, local talent, sustained investment and strong supplier relationships can develop a successful business in India and create a manufacturing base for global markets.