Nitin Gadkari Inaugurates HORIBA’s New Medical Equipment Plant in Nagpur

In a significant boost to the Make in India initiative, Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road and Transport, inaugurated one of India’s largest medical equipment and haematology reagent manufacturing units by HORIBA India in Butibori, Nagpur.

The facility, launched by the Japan-headquartered HORIBA Group, is their third in India and covers 50,000 square meters. It includes a medical equipment production unit for blood diagnostics, clinical chemistry equipment, and medical consumables (reagents). The plant also houses the HORIBA India Technical Institute, offering biomedical learning programs in partnership with Nagpur University, and the HORIBA Experience Zone, showcasing the full range of HORIBA healthcare equipment.

Gadkari emphasized India’s rapid economic growth and the availability of trained manpower and young talent. He stated, “The futuristic vision with a futuristic technology, India is the fastest growing economy in the World and that is the reason whatever new technology is available in world, we want to take it to India.”

Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis, also attended the event. He noted, “The medical devices sector is growing rapidly in India and also globally. India, which was a net importer of medical devices, is now a big exporter. Our entire export in the sector is touching around USD 10 billion with an annual growth rate of around 10 per cent.”

The facility, with an investment of Rs 200 crore, aims to serve over 30,000 diagnostic labs and hospitals across India. It currently employs 100 people, with plans to double this number in the next five years. The plant will also serve as an export hub to neighboring countries, starting with a target of 50% localization and aiming for 80-90% localization of products in the future.

Jai Hakhu, Board of Directors, HORIBA Ltd., Japan and Chairman, HORIBA India, stated, “The facility will play a crucial role in reducing turnaround time and minimizing costs by promoting local production, thus supporting the Government’s initiative to enhance Make in India and Self-Reliance. It also aims to evolve into a one-stop solution for India, initially catering to the Bio & Healthcare segment, with future plans to expand into the Materials & Semiconductor and Energy & Environment sectors.”