Ace Designers Limited, a Bengaluru-based leader in CNC turning and machining centres, has received a significant ₹1,200 crore investment from Kotak Alternate Asset Managers (Kotak Alts), the private equity arm of the Kotak Mahindra Group. This funding marks one of the largest private investments in India’s manufacturing equipment space in recent times.
Established in 1979 by three engineers from the Central Manufacturing Technology Institute, Ace Designers began as a design consultancy and has since evolved into a cornerstone of the Indian CNC machinery industry. It is a founding member of the Ace Micromatic Group—an alliance of Indian engineering companies specialising in precision tools. Today, Ace dominates the domestic market with an annual output of over 8,000 CNC turning centres and more than 3,400 machining centres.
The company projects its revenue to cross ₹2,400 crore in FY24–25, with a strong customer base spanning mid-sized to large manufacturers in automotive, aerospace, and industrial fabrication. Its products are also exported globally to regions including Europe, Asia, North America, and the Middle East.
Strengthening Infrastructure and Expanding Capabilities
The capital from Kotak Alts will be used to establish a new manufacturing facility, modernise existing production lines, and recruit skilled personnel. Commenting on the development, promoter SG Shirgurkar said the funds will enable the company to accelerate innovation in automation and technology. “It’s not just about scaling output—we want to give the industry better, faster, and more cost-effective tools,” he stated.
TK Ramesh, Managing Director of Ace Designers, highlighted that the investment supports their long-term vision of bridging technology gaps within Indian manufacturing. “This partnership allows us to produce world-class machines at scale and raise the bar for quality in the sector,” he said.
Why Kotak Alts Chose Ace Designers
Kotak Alternate Asset Managers has been steadily increasing its focus on India’s manufacturing sector. Eshwar Karra, Managing Partner at Kotak Alts, explained their rationale: “We invest in companies with deep operational history, strong engineering DNA, and customer trust—qualities Ace has demonstrated over decades.”
Rahul Chhaparwal, Partner at Kotak Alts, added that the fund sees immense opportunity in export-led tooling and component manufacturing. “This is a critical growth phase for Ace, and we’re backing them to take on larger, more complex projects,” he noted.
CNC: Driving India’s Manufacturing Ambitions
CNC machines form the backbone of modern industrial production, enabling high-precision shaping, drilling, and cutting of components. These systems are vital across sectors like EVs, medical devices, energy, and heavy engineering.
With India aiming to localise more of its industrial base, CNC technology is pivotal. Ace Designers has contributed to this push by participating in government-supported skilling programs and equipping training institutions and smaller workshops throughout the country.
Its R&D efforts, based in Bengaluru, are further bolstered through collaborations within the Ace Micromatic Group, focusing on improving reliability, cost-efficiency, and digital capabilities.
A Sign of Industrial Momentum
Analysts see this investment as part of a larger trend: a growing confidence in India’s domestic manufacturing ecosystem. As global supply chains shift and companies diversify beyond China, firms like Ace—capable of delivering both volume and precision—are becoming increasingly vital.
Looking ahead, Ace Designers plans to channel the capital into enhancing its digital offerings, upgrading training centres, and developing technologies that let clients monitor machine performance and health in real time. The company is positioning itself not just as a machinery provider, but as a critical enabler of the next phase of industrial growth in India.
COMMENTS