Indian manufacturing enables Baccara to be globally competitive
Baccara India serves the manufacturing industry, but the majority of its clients are in the rapidly growing market for agricultural irrigation automation. The company launches new innovative products in 2025
By: Arvind Patil (*)
In 2022, Baccara India Pvt. Ltd. was established in Pune in the Indian State of Maharashtra. The operation is part of our Asia-Pacific Division which is headed by Shlomi Atash, who is based in Melbourne, Australia, and like all Baccara subsidiaries, is 100% owned by Baccara.
Initially established as a sales and distribution office, it was always clear to us that manufacturing operations will follow, based on our belief that to succeed in the Indian market, we need to manufacture in India. Baccara India of course serves the requirements of customers in manufacturing industry, but the overwhelming majority of sales are in the very rapidly growing market for automation in agricultural irrigation.
Until 2024, all our irrigation valves for sale in India were shipped from Israel, with long lead times and high logistical costs.
Baccara Starts Production in India
In the latter half of 2024, we began valve assembly operations for smaller valves (3/4” and 1”) from components that were shipped from Israel. Having built an impressive assembly and testing operation, with proven quality assurance, we will take our next significant steps for Baccara India in 2025.
In the first quarter, all injection molding of the irrigation valves up to 2” diameter will be done in India and those products will be fully manufactured in India, for the Indian market. For most of the products, production capacity in Israel will be maintained and we will have “spare” molds, as part of our BCP (Business Continuity Plan).
Baccara India to Help Company Be Globally Competitive
We believe that the Indian market for 1½” and 2” valves will continue to grow and become the world’s largest, as the government continues to support large-scale irrigation automation projects. Baccara plans to be a viable competitor for a significant share of that business. Indian manufacturing will also allow us to be more competitive in all markets globally.
New Product Launches for 2025
B60 – Our new family of solenoids for the irrigation market that is intended to eventually replace the much loved G75 family. The new product has similar technical specifications (slightly more powerful and significantly more robust), but a sleek new design and a dual-conductor cable replaces the existing two wire connection. Another key difference is that the plastic coil housing which is filled with polyurethane in the current model, will be replaced by a fully over-molded polypropylene body, creating a sturdier finished product and a more-efficient production process. Despite the significant improvements, the new series is not expected to cost more.
GEMSMART+ is a feature packed connector for our Gemsol® family. It includes a timer function, PWM (Pulse Width Modulation), allowing proportional functionality, and perhaps most significant in terms of responding to customer requests, positive identification of the plunger position. All of these features can be pre-programmed to order, or self-programmed by our customers using a simple smartphone App.
GEM-CPR – This is a proportional valve powered by a servo motor and is in high demand for applications from fertigation to chemical dispensing in medical devices. The existing analog product will be joined by a new and enhanced digital counterpart.
CHEMSOL™ – This family of products has been a central focal point for both our NPD and our Marketing departments. In 2024 we transitioned from PVC to customized high performance PP material. In 2025 we will complete the planned upgrade of this family with 3 significant changes. The threaded connections will be upgraded to external helix fitting, ensuring the integrity of all installations. The diaphragms are being upgraded to a new “rolling” style, which we have successfully tested to over 20 million cycles. Additionally, the CHEMSOL 1/2”, which currently manages up to 600 litres per hour, will be joined by a new product designed to handle over 1000 litres per hour.
For more information:
Arvind Patil, the Head of Business and Operations, Baccara India
GEMSMART+, a feature packed connector
Photos: Courtesy of Baccara
