Dheepan Ramalingam, Managing Director, Ringfeder Power Transmission (I), on blending German precision with Indian scale to deliver durable, high-performance solutions.

From German engineering to Indian cement plants, Ringfeder has carved a niche as a force driving efficiency and innovation. In this exclusive interview, Dheepan Ramalingam, Managing Director, Ringfeder Power Transmission (I), explains how Ringfeder is
powering cement operations, embracing sustainability and integrating smart technology to stay ahead of the curve.

Can you tell us about your company and its role in the Indian cement industry?
Ringfeder is a 102-year-old German company, originally established in Düsseldorf. We have been doing business in India for the last 25 years, and as Ringfeder India, we have been operating for 16 years now. We are known as the inventors of locking devices and damping solutions. These products are manufactured in our European facilities and are imported from Germany for distribution across India.
Until last year, we operated with a team of around 20 people, primarily focused on importing and distributing these products. However, in a major development last year, we acquired an Indian company—Rathi Transpower Limited—which
has a manufacturing capacity supported by a workforce of 500 people, with plants located in Pune and Kolhapur.
Today, our combined strength is around 550 team members. We are deeply integrated into the Indian cement industry. From the transportation of raw materials like limestone, to grinding, separation, packaging, and even the logistics of cement bags, our products play a critical role. Essentially, we offer complete product solutions for the entire cement plant machinery setup. We are proud to say that we currently hold a 30 per cent to 40 per cent market share in India for our category.

How do your products enhance efficiency and precision in cement operations?
Our product portfolio mainly includes two core technologies: shaft locking devices and precision couplings.
Let’s start with the locking devices. These are used to secure a hollow shaft onto a solid shaft and are applied in critical machinery like pulverisers, kilns, and separators. Traditionally, keyways are used for this purpose, but our locking devices offer a superior alternative. One of their main advantages is ease of maintenance. In a cement plant, maintenance is frequent due to the harsh operational environment, and our devices make the assembly and disassembly process quick and seamless. This significantly reduces downtime.
The second product line includes precision couplings. These are essential consumables, but it’s important that they are both reliable and durable. Our couplings—whether produced in Germany or in India—are manufactured to strict German standards, ensuring top-tier performance. These products are built to last and perform consistently, even under demanding conditions.

How do you ensure product durability in high-impact cement environments?
The products we manufacture are primarily made from 42CrMo4 alloy steel, which is well-known for its strength and durability. This type of steel is highly resistant to corrosion and mechanical stress, which is essential in an environment like a cement plant.
We also advise our customers to use protective covers while the machines are operating to further reduce environmental wear and tear. As for material performance, the tensile strength of the steel we use is around 900 N/mm². In comparison, many competitor products fail at around 600 N/mm². This shows that we never compromise on material quality, even if it means our costs are higher. We prioritise long-term durability over short-term price reductions, and this approach has helped us build a strong reputation
for reliability.

How are you addressing sustainability in your operations and offerings?
Sustainability is at the heart of our business ethos. Ringfeder is part of the VBG Group, a Swedish conglomerate known for its commitment to sustainable practices. Sweden, as you may know, is one of the most sustainability-focused nations globally. In line with that, we have set up dedicated sustainability departments in every country where we operate, including India. Within our own operations, we are making several changes. This includes using sustainable materials in our packaging, optimising our logistics to reduce emissions, and guiding our suppliers toward more environmentally responsible practices. We are also tracking our carbon footprint closely and have made it a goal to reduce emissions significantly in the coming years.
When it comes to the cement industry, we contribute to sustainability by offering products that are durable, reduce maintenance frequency, and minimise energy losses—ultimately helping cement manufacturers operate more efficiently and with fewer interruptions.

Can you share a recent innovation and how technology is improving your products?
At Ringfeder, innovation is continuous. We have a dedicated R&D centre in Germany and an extended R&D arm in India. Our focus has always been on enhancing functionality, durability and efficiency. Over time, we have made several improvements in the materials used in our products, ensuring they meet the toughest industrial standards.
One of the most exciting developments is the integration of electronic feedback systems into our product lines. This represents a step toward smart technology, where products can provide real-time performance data. We are currently working on embedding sensors and feedback modules into our systems, which can give users predictive insights and maintenance alerts. This will not only improve performance but also help reduce unplanned downtime—an important factor in industries like cement.

What are some challenges you face in the cement industry?
There are a few challenges that are quite specific to our line of business. First, our products fall into the category of capital equipment, which means the procurement cycles are longer and highly dependent on capex planning by cement companies. These purchases are not linear—they tend to follow the cyclic nature of the industry.
For instance, this year we saw a slowdown, primarily due to the uncertainty and cautious spending that comes with general elections. However, based on the current pipeline of cement plant expansions, we are optimistic that 2025 will be a great year—not just for Ringfeder, but for the entire cement sector.
To counterbalance the cyclic nature of cement, we also serve other industries such as textiles, bulk material handling and hydropower. This diversification helps us manage business continuity more effectively.

What is your view on Net Zero and your alignment with global goals?
Yes, this is a very important area for us. Ringfeder and our parent company, the VBG Group, are actively aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We’ve identified five key SDGs where we focus our efforts: reducing emissions, promoting gender equality, improving access to education, encouraging responsible consumption, and fostering decent work environments.
We believe that companies have a responsibility not only to their customers but also to society at large. Our sustainability team regularly evaluates our progress in these areas and works closely with local and global stakeholders. Our goal is to ensure that by 2030, we are not just meeting industry standards but are seen as leaders in sustainability and ethical operations.