Sweden’s RSP Launches Manufacturing Unit in Chennai, Eyes India as Key Hub.

Scandinavian Robot Systems India Pvt Ltd (RSP India), a subsidiary of Sweden-based Robot System Products AB (RSP), has inaugurated its first manufacturing facility in Chennai, aiming to strengthen its presence in India’s rapidly expanding robotics sector. The new plant will focus on localizing production, improving cost competitiveness, and positioning India as a key manufacturing hub for South Asia.

Headquartered in Västerås, Sweden, RSP has been an independent entity for over two decades after originating as part of ABB’s robotics division. The company specializes in peripheral equipment for industrial robots, with its flagship tool changers enabling seamless tool switching for operations like drilling and welding. RSP primarily caters to six-axis articulated robots, widely used in industrial automation.

“We offer solutions like tool changers, swivels for infinite rotation, and customized hose packages that simplify robot integration. Our plug-and-play systems help reduce costly automation downtime,” said Arvind Vasu, Managing Director of RSP India. The Chennai facility, which started operations in November 2023, will initially produce dress packs for robots, including tool changers, swivels, tool parking stands, and cable management solutions. RSP plans to expand its product range as local supplier partnerships grow.

Eddie Eriksson, President of RSP AB, emphasized the strategic importance of the new facility. “By localizing production, we can quickly customize products, meet customer needs more efficiently, and strengthen our footprint in South Asia, complementing our hubs in Europe and North America,” he said.

RSP supplies its products to system integrators, who design and build robotic manufacturing cells, particularly for the automotive sector—its largest market. However, the company is also eyeing growth opportunities in general manufacturing, electronics, and consumer goods.

India’s robotics industry has witnessed rapid growth, with annual robot consumption rising from 4,000 units pre-pandemic to 8,500 units in 2023. According to the International Federation for Robotics, this figure is expected to surpass 10,000 units in 2024, underscoring the country’s increasing demand for automation solutions.

HBL