Schaeffler India appoints Amit Bhalerao as COO to lead manufacturing operations

Schaeffler India Limited has appointed Amit Bhalerao as its Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective 10 August 2026, strengthening its leadership team as the company advances its manufacturing strategy and long-term growth plans in one of its key markets.

The company said Bhalerao will lead manufacturing operations across India and oversee operational excellence, manufacturing strategy, digital transformation and capability development. He will also support Schaeffler India's customer-focused growth agenda.

The appointment comes as India continues to play an increasingly important role in the company's global growth strategy and manufacturing ambitions.

Leadership role expands focus on manufacturing performance

As COO, Bhalerao will become part of Schaeffler India's Executive Leadership Team, working alongside business and functional leaders across the organisation.

His responsibilities will include:

• Leading manufacturing operations across India
• Driving operational excellence initiatives
• Advancing manufacturing strategy
• Supporting digital transformation programmes
• Enhancing organisational capabilities
• Accelerating localisation efforts
• Strengthening manufacturing competitiveness
• Building future-ready manufacturing operations

The company said he will also help shape Schaeffler India's manufacturing footprint while improving operational performance across its plants.

India remains a strategic market for Schaeffler

Commenting on the appointment, Harsha Kadam, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Schaeffler India Limited, highlighted the importance of manufacturing capabilities to the company's growth ambitions.

"India continues to be a strategic growth market for Schaeffler, and strengthening our manufacturing and operations capabilities is central to our journey as the leading Motion Technology Company."

Kadam said Bhalerao's experience in managing complex manufacturing environments and leading high-performing teams would support the company's next phase of growth.

He added that the new COO's leadership would further strengthen manufacturing competitiveness, customer focus and innovation capabilities across the business.

More than two decades of manufacturing leadership experience

Bhalerao joins Schaeffler India with more than 23 years of leadership experience spanning manufacturing, operations, business excellence, lean transformation, quality management and supply chain functions.

His career has included leadership roles across several industrial and engineering organisations.

Key areas of expertise include:

• Manufacturing operations
• Operational excellence
• Lean transformation
• Quality management
• Supply chain leadership
• Continuous improvement
• Strategic business transformation

The appointment brings extensive experience in managing large-scale industrial operations and driving performance improvement initiatives.

Experience across industrial and engineering sectors

Before joining Schaeffler India, Bhalerao served as Managing Director and Vice President of Operations at Kelvion India.

In that role, he led operations and business performance while overseeing manufacturing excellence programmes, technology transfer initiatives and capacity expansion efforts.

Earlier in his career, he held leadership positions at:

• Cummins
• Eaton
• Sterlite Technologies
• Other global industrial organisations

Across these roles, his work focused on operational excellence, lean manufacturing practices and transformation programmes aimed at improving business performance.

Building future-ready manufacturing capabilities

The appointment reflects Schaeffler India's continued emphasis on strengthening manufacturing operations as it expands its presence in the country.

Manufacturing competitiveness, localisation and digital transformation have become increasingly important priorities for industrial companies navigating changing customer requirements, supply chain dynamics and technology adoption.

With Bhalerao joining the executive leadership team, Schaeffler India is placing additional focus on operational efficiency and capability development while preparing its manufacturing network for future growth opportunities.