Our focus is on building connected, future-ready equipment that supports efficient, data-driven supply chain operations

How do you assess the current market scenario for Material Handling Equipment (MHE) in India? What are the major growth drivers influencing the sector?

India’s material handling equipment industry is witnessing good momentum, driven by rapid expansion in warehousing, e-commerce, manufacturing, retail, and third-party logistics (3PL). The growing emphasis on supply chain efficiency, infrastructure development, and warehouse modernisation is accelerating the adoption of advanced material handling solutions across sectors.

Additionally, the increasing shift towards organised warehousing, automation, and sustainable operations is creating demand for technologically advanced and energy-efficient equipment.

At the Material Handling Equipment business of Godrej Enterprises Group, we are seeing strong demand for battery-operated fork trucks, intelligent fleet solutions, and application-specific equipment as businesses increasingly prioritise productivity, uptime, and sustainability. We believe India’s logistics transformation, supported by government initiatives and manufacturing growth, will continue to be a key catalyst for the MHE sector.

What are the latest technological advancements your company has introduced in material handling equipment?

Innovation at Godrej Enterprises Group’s Material Handling Equipment business is focused on enabling cleaner, smarter, and more efficient intralogistics operations. Recently, we introduced India’s first Multi-ion battery technology for electric forklifts, designed to deliver higher uptime, lower total cost of ownership, and cleaner operations.

The technology offers fast and opportunity charging, zero maintenance, and significantly higher lifecycle performance compared to lithium-ion batteries. Designed for Indian tropical conditions, the solution performs reliably in temperatures ranging from -180C to above 45°C and eliminates dependency on rare-earth materials, making it both operationally efficient and environmentally sustainable.

Both, the Multi-ion battery as well as our portfolio of lithium-ion batteries are manufactured indigenously and also have an indigenously developed Battery Management Systems (BMS). In Diesel forklifts, we introduced CEV-5 compliant models since January 2025. These advancements reflect our focus on design-led innovation, localisation, and sustainability-driven engineering.

How are automation, IoT, AI, telematics, and digital fleet management systems transforming material handling operations?

Digital technologies are fundamentally transforming material handling operations by improving efficiency, visibility, safety, and predictive decision-making. Automation and telematics are enabling real-time monitoring of equipment utilisation, operator behaviour, battery performance, and maintenance needs, helping businesses optimise fleet productivity and reduce downtime.

At Godrej Enterprises Group, we are integrating smart technologies and digital capabilities into our material handling solutions to enhance operational intelligence and customer experience. Our focus is on building connected, future-ready equipment that supports efficient, data-driven supply chain operations.

What are the key safety features and operator-assistance technologies integrated into your equipment?

Safety remains a key focus area for Godrej, with continuous investments in technologies and solutions that enhance operator safety and minimise workplace risks.

Our equipment is equipped with advanced safety features such as Smart Curve Control Technology, which automatically regulates speed while turning to reduce the risk of tip-overs, and Anti-Rollback Systems that prevent unintended movement on inclines. These innovations improve equipment stability while enhancing operator confidence in demanding industrial environments.

In addition to equipment-led safety measures, we have developed digital solutions that strengthen overall warehouse safety and operational efficiency. We have  introduced SafeLog – an advanced IoT-enabled Vehicle Monitoring System designed to improve safety, efficiency, and reliability in forklift operations. By providing real-time operational insights, proactive maintenance alerts, and intelligent fleet analytics, SafeLog helps businesses reduce unplanned downtime by up to 10% and improve asset utilisation by nearly 15% across warehousing and intralogistics operations.

These technologies are further supported by structured operator training and skill development programs that promote safe handling practices and help create safer, more efficient warehouse ecosystems.

What are the major challenges currently faced by the MHE industry in India?

One of the biggest challenges facing the MHE industry is the growing need to balance technology adoption with cost sensitivity. While businesses increasingly seek automated, electric, and digitally enabled equipment, upfront investment considerations can sometimes slow adoption.

The industry also continues to face challenges around standardisation, especially in pallet sizes and warehouse infrastructure, which impacts operational efficiency. Additionally, the shortage of trained operators and service technicians remains a significant concern as equipment becomes more advanced and technology-driven.

At Godrej Enterprises Group, we are addressing these challenges through localisation, customer-centric financing and leasing models, skill development initiatives, and indigenous innovation tailored to Indian operating conditions.

How is the shortage of skilled operators and technicians affecting the industry, and what initiatives is your company taking toward training and skill development?

As material handling systems become increasingly advanced and automated, the demand for skilled operators and technicians has grown significantly. However, the industry continues to face a shortage of adequately trained personnel, which can impact productivity, equipment utilisation, and workplace safety.

To address the skill gap, we are actively working with academic institutions to build future-ready talent pipelines for the intralogistics and manufacturing sectors. We are also exploring academic partnerships to co-develop specialised curriculum focused on intralogistics and warehouse automation. These initiatives aim to create awareness about the evolving MHE landscape, equip students with domain-specific skills, and nurture a pipeline of talent for the growing logistics and manufacturing sectors.

How significant is the rental and leasing segment for material handling equipment in India?

The rental and leasing segment is becoming increasingly important in India’s MHE market as businesses look for flexible and cost-efficient equipment acquisition models. With the growing adoption of electric and lithium-ion forklifts, customers are increasingly preferring Capex-light, Opex-driven solutions that help preserve capital while enabling access to advanced technologies.

At Godrej Enterprises Group, we have strengthened our rental and service ecosystem and recently partnered with Tata Capital to introduce structured finance leasing solutions for intralogistics equipment. These models allow customers to deploy modern, energy-efficient forklifts through predictable monthly outflows while benefiting from lifecycle service support and performance assurance.

We believe rental and leasing will continue to play a critical role in accelerating technology adoption and improving accessibility to modern material handling solutions across industries.

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