Struggling to source reliable motors for your machinery? A poor choice leads to downtime and budget overruns. I'll guide you through India's best manufacturers to secure your project's success.
The top 5 asynchronous motor manufacturers in India are Bharat Bijlee, Siemens, Bonfiglioli, Kirloskar Electric, and Lucas TVS. These leaders provide energy-efficient induction motors1, custom OEM solutions, and have strong industry partnerships, making them trusted suppliers for demanding industrial and manufacturing applications.
Asynchronous Motor Specifications
When I started my own CNC trading company, the performance of our machines depended heavily on the motors inside. A cheap motor could fail under load, ruining an expensive mold and delaying a client's entire production run. It taught me a hard lesson: the motor isn't just a component; it's the heart of the machine. Choosing the right manufacturer is one of the most critical decisions you can make. Let's look at the companies in India that I've come to trust for their quality and reliability. These are the names that power the industry and can help you, as a designer, ensure your products perform exactly as planned.
Asynchronous motors are also known as induction motors.True
This is correct. The rotor turns at a speed slower than the magnetic field's synchronous speed, hence the term 'asynchronous'.
All asynchronous motors in India must now meet a minimum IE2 efficiency standard.True
The Indian government has mandated IE2 as the minimum efficiency performance standard (MEPS) for motors to promote energy savings.
Struggling with generic motors that don't fit your specific needs? This can compromise your design's performance. Bharat Bijlee offers customized solutions that integrate perfectly with your machinery.
Bharat Bijlee is a major player known for its wide range of standard and customized AC motors. They are a top choice for industries needing reliable, high-performance motors, especially for applications like pumps, compressors, and fans. Their focus on engineering excellence ensures quality and durability.
Bharat Bijlee Industrial Motor
I've always been impressed by companies that don't just sell a product but provide an engineering solution. Bharat Bijlee fits this description perfectly. For a designer like Jacky, this is a huge advantage. You aren't just buying an off-the-shelf motor; you're partnering with a team that can tailor a motor to your exact specifications. This is crucial when you're designing for tight spaces or unique power requirements in consumer electronics manufacturing equipment. Their ability to deliver specialized motors means you don't have to compromise your design.
Core Strengths
Bharat Bijlee's main strength is its deep engineering capability. They have a strong R&D focus, which allows them to develop motors for very specific and demanding applications. They are also known for their robust construction and long service life.
Product Focus
Their product line is extensive, but they have a particular focus on energy-efficient motors that meet global standards.
Feature
Description
Motor Types
Standard Induction, Crane Duty, Brake Motors, Explosion Proof (Ex'd')
Efficiency Class
IE2, IE3, IE4
Customization
High level of customization for OEMs
Key Industries
Power, Steel, Cement, Water, HVAC
Bharat Bijlee was founded in 1946, before India's independence.True
The company was established in 1946, making it one of the long-standing engineering firms in the country.
Bharat Bijlee only manufactures motors.False
While motors are their core business, they also have significant operations in transformers and electric projects.
2. Siemens Limited: The Global Technology Leader in India?
Worried about integrating motors with complex automation systems? Incompatibility can cause major headaches. Siemens offers motors that are part of a massive, integrated ecosystem, ensuring seamless operation.
As the Indian arm of the German giant, Siemens Limited provides motors that are synonymous with quality, innovation, and system integration. Their SIMOTICS range is designed to work flawlessly with their SINAMICS drives and SIMATIC controllers, offering a complete solution for sophisticated automation tasks.
Siemens SIMOTICS Motor
In my experience, system integration is where many projects succeed or fail. You can have the best motor in the world, but if it doesn't communicate well with the drive and control system, it's useless. This is where Siemens shines. I remember working on a project for a client who needed a fully automated molding cell2. We used Siemens motors, drives, and PLCs. The setup was smooth because all the components were designed to work together. For a designer, this means you can specify a Siemens motor and be confident it will integrate into a larger automated system without issues.
Digitalization and Integration
Siemens is at the forefront of Industry 4.0. Their motors often come with options for digital connectivity, allowing for predictive maintenance3 and performance monitoring.
Global Standards, Local Manufacturing
They manufacture in India to global quality standards, offering the best of both worlds: German engineering and local accessibility.
Feature
Description
Motor Series
SIMOTICS (General Purpose, Severe Duty, Servo)
Key Advantage
Seamless integration with Siemens automation ecosystem (TIA Portal)
Technology
High efficiency, digitalization options, robust design
Target Audience
OEMs and end-users requiring high-tech, integrated solutions
Siemens AG, the parent company, is over 200 years old.False
Siemens AG was founded in 1847 by Werner von Siemens, making it over 175 years old, but not quite 200.
Siemens India manufactures the same motors sold in Germany.True
Siemens maintains global quality standards, and motors manufactured in their Indian plants, like the one in Kalwa, adhere to the same design and quality protocols as their German counterparts.
Need a compact motor and gearbox solution? Sourcing them separately is complex and risky. Bonfiglioli specializes in integrated gearmotors, providing a reliable, all-in-one package for your design.
Bonfiglioli is an Italian company with a strong manufacturing presence in India. They are the go-to experts for gearmotors, which combine a motor and a gearbox into a single unit. This is essential for applications requiring high torque at low speeds, like conveyors or mixers.
Bonfiglioli Gearmotor
When I was setting up my first CNC trading business, I learned quickly that not all motion is about high speed. Many machines, especially in material handling around a molding press, need slow, powerful, and controlled movement. This is where gearmotors are essential. Bonfiglioli is a name I came to respect. They don't just make motors; they master the science of torque transmission. For a designer working on a system that includes conveyors to move parts or robotic arms for assembly, a Bonfiglioli gearmotor is often the perfect, compact solution. It simplifies the design and sourcing process significantly.
The Power of Integration
By combining the motor and gearbox, Bonfiglioli solves complex engineering challenges for you. This reduces points of failure and simplifies assembly.
Application-Specific Solutions
They have a deep understanding of various industries and offer pre-engineered solutions for common applications.
Bonfiglioli is an Italian multinational company with a very strong manufacturing and sales presence in India.
A gearmotor increases the motor's speed.False
A gearmotor uses a gearbox to reduce the motor's speed, which in turn increases the output torque.
4. Kirloskar Electric Company Limited: Legacy Brand with Wide Reach?
Need a standard, reliable motor from a brand with a proven track record? Navigating new suppliers can be risky. Kirloskar Electric is one of India's oldest and most trusted names.
Kirloskar Electric has a history stretching back to 1946. They are a household name in India for electrical products. Their asynchronous motors are known for being workhorses—durable, reliable, and suitable for a vast range of general-purpose industrial applications across the country.
Kirloskar Electric Motor
There are some brands that you grow up hearing about, and in India, Kirloskar is one of them. They are part of the country's industrial fabric. When I was helping clients set up small to mid-sized factories, Kirloskar was always a safe and dependable choice. Their motors are not always the most technologically advanced, but they are incredibly reliable and easy to service. Their distribution network is massive, meaning you can get a motor or a spare part almost anywhere in India. For a designer, this means specifying a Kirloskar motor ensures easy procurement and maintenance for the end-user.
Unmatched Distribution
Their key strength is their extensive sales and service network, making them highly accessible throughout India and in many international markets.
Built to Last
Kirloskar motors have a reputation for being over-engineered and robust, capable of withstanding harsh industrial environments.
Feature
Description
Reputation
Legacy brand, known for reliability and durability.
Product Range
Wide range of AC and DC motors for various industries.
Network
One of the largest sales and service networks in India.
Ideal For
Standard industrial applications where reliability is key (e.g., agriculture, textiles).
Kirloskar Electric was the first company to make electric motors in India.True
Kirloskar Electric pioneered the manufacturing of electric motors in India, establishing a foundation for the country's electrical engineering industry.
Kirloskar Electric only serves the Indian market.False
While India is their primary market, Kirloskar Electric exports its products to Europe, Southeast Asia, and Africa.
5. Lucas TVS Limited: Automotive & Industrial Motor Expert?
Designing for automotive or specialized DC applications? Standard AC motors won't work. Lucas TVS is a leader in DC motors and specialized systems for the automotive and industrial sectors.
While well-known for automotive components, Lucas TVS also produces a range of asynchronous and other motors for industrial use. Their expertise comes from the demanding quality and reliability standards of the automotive industry. They are particularly strong in DC motors and specialized motor solutions.
Lucas TVS Motors and Components
My experience is mostly with AC motors for large machinery, but I've worked with Lucas TVS on projects that required smaller, high-performance DC motors. Their background in the automotive world is a huge asset. Cars are harsh environments—vibrations, temperature swings, and the need for absolute reliability. Lucas TVS brings that level of quality to their industrial motors. If you are designing a product that needs a compact, powerful, and extremely reliable motor, especially a DC one, they are a top contender. Their engineering is focused on precision and durability under tough conditions.
Automotive-Grade Quality
The company's deep roots in the automotive sector mean their manufacturing processes adhere to strict quality control standards like IATF 16949.
Focus on DC and Specialized Motors
They are a leader in DC motors, which are critical for battery-powered equipment, electric vehicles, and certain types of industrial machinery.
Feature
Description
Core Expertise
Automotive electrical systems, DC motors, specialized AC motors.
Quality Standard
High-volume, high-quality manufacturing derived from automotive industry demands.
Product Examples
Starter motors, alternators, wiper motors, industrial DC motors.
Best For
Applications requiring high reliability, compact size, or DC power.
Lucas TVS is a British company.False
Lucas TVS was established as a joint venture with the British company Lucas, but it is now part of the Indian TVS Group.
Lucas TVS primarily makes large industrial AC motors.False
While they do make some industrial motors, their primary expertise and volume are in automotive electrical components and smaller DC motors.
6. Indian Motor Market: Trends & Opportunities?
Wondering where the Indian motor market is headed? Staying ahead of trends is key. The market is shifting towards higher efficiency, smart motors4, and customized OEM solutions.
The Indian asynchronous motor market is not static. It's driven by government policies promoting energy efficiency and the manufacturing sector's push towards automation and Industry 4.05. This creates huge opportunities for designers and engineers who understand these trends.
Indian Motor Market Trends
Watching the market evolve has been fascinating. When I started, the main concern was just getting a motor that worked. Now, my clients ask about energy savings6, predictive maintenance, and integration with their factory software. The push for "Make in India" and higher efficiency standards (like IE3 and IE4) is changing the game. For a designer like Jacky, this means you can't just specify a generic motor anymore. You need to think about its lifecycle cost, its energy consumption, and its "smart" capabilities. This is a great opportunity to add value by designing more efficient and intelligent machines.
Key Market Drivers
Energy Efficiency: Government mandates for higher IE (International Efficiency) ratings are pushing manufacturers to innovate.
Automation: The growth of automation in Indian factories is increasing demand for servo motors, gearmotors, and integrated drive systems.
OEM Focus: Manufacturers are increasingly working directly with OEMs to create custom solutions.
Future Opportunities
Trend
Opportunity for Designers
IE4/IE5 Motors
Design machines with lower operating costs and a smaller carbon footprint.
Smart Motors
Incorporate predictive maintenance and remote monitoring into your designs.
Custom Solutions
Partner with manufacturers to create highly optimized, unique products.
The 'Make in India' initiative has had no effect on the motor industry.False
The 'Make in India' initiative has significantly boosted domestic manufacturing, encouraging international companies like Siemens and Bonfiglioli to expand their production facilities in India.
IE5 is the highest possible efficiency class for motors.True
Currently, IE5 (Ultra-Premium Efficiency) is the highest efficiency class defined by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), representing the cutting edge of energy-efficient motor technology.
Conclusion
Choosing the right motor manufacturer in India—from pioneers like Bharat Bijlee to specialists like Bonfiglioli—is key to building reliable and efficient machinery for any industrial application.
References
Explore how energy-efficient induction motors can reduce operational costs and improve sustainability in industrial applications. ↩
Discover the advantages of using automated molding cells in manufacturing for efficiency and precision. ↩
Understand the role of predictive maintenance in enhancing equipment reliability and reducing downtime. ↩
Understand the features and benefits of smart motors in modern industrial applications. ↩
Explore how Industry 4.0 is transforming manufacturing processes through automation and smart technologies. ↩
Explore strategies for achieving energy savings in industrial settings through efficient motor technologies. ↩
Skip to content 
