In a decisive push to accelerate India’s manufacturing and innovation landscape, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Häfele India Pvt. Ltd. The strategic agreement aims to empower product startups, MSMEs, and entrepreneurs with targeted investment, mentorship, and access to global markets.
The collaboration reflects a shared mission to build resilient local supply chains and fast-track India’s emergence as a global manufacturing hub. Both parties will focus on fostering scalable innovation, strengthening domestic sourcing, and enabling global integration.
Partnership Accelerates India’s Global Manufacturing Vision
Under the agreement, Häfele India will lead initiatives supporting product development, local sourcing, and entrepreneurship. The company, which has been operating in India since 2003 as a wholly owned subsidiary of global interior solutions leader Häfele Global, has already invested over USD 2.5 million in an Indian appliance manufacturing startup and issued purchase orders to MSMEs producing architectural hardware and furniture fittings.
As part of its long-term localization strategy, Häfele India aims to increase its domestic sourcing from 10% to 30% by 2025, with a target of reaching 50% in the coming years. The company also plans to develop a dedicated supplier park and attract European manufacturing partners to co-create in India—strengthening its alignment with the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat goals.
Startup India to Bridge Ecosystem and Opportunities
DPIIT’s Startup India platform will serve as a key engagement channel for entrepreneurs, enabling access to government programs, participation in sector-focused initiatives, and opportunities for co-branding and technical collaboration.
“This collaboration with Häfele India underscores our commitment to enabling industry-led innovation in manufacturing,” said Dr. Sumeet Kumar Jarangal, Director at DPIIT. “We aim to empower startups that are building the next generation of globally competitive capabilities.”
Sanjiv, Joint Secretary at DPIIT, highlighted the strategic value of the partnership: “This collaboration exemplifies our approach to building collaborative industrial ecosystems that blend global best practices with Indian entrepreneurial energy.”
“At Häfele, we believe that India’s innovation and manufacturing potential is unmatched,” said Frank Schloeder, Managing Director – South Asia, Häfele. “Through this MoU, we aim to scale our commitment from ‘India for India’ today to ‘India for the World’ tomorrow.”
MoU Valid for Two Years, May Extend Further
The agreement, signed by Dr. Jarangal and Mr. Schloeder in the presence of senior officials, will remain effective for two years, with a provision for renewal based on mutual consent.
With this MoU, DPIIT and Häfele India are not merely signing a document—they are laying the foundation for a dynamic, innovation-led manufacturing future. By aligning global expertise with India’s entrepreneurial spirit, the partnership promises to transform local potential into world-class production capabilities, reinforcing India’s journey from being a market to becoming a maker for the world.
