The proposed expansion would give TARIL a local presence in a market where investment in electricity networks, renewable energy connections and rising power demand could create opportunities for transformer suppliers
Transformers and Rectifiers (India) Ltd (TARIL) is considering setting up a transformer manufacturing base in the UK to tap demand from European power utilities and grid operators, with the company making sustained order flows a prerequisite for committing to local production.
The Ahmedabad-based power equipment maker plans to first establish a sales and customer-support presence through its UK subsidiary, Maxwell Grid Transformers (UK) Private Ltd, before moving to local assembly and potentially full-fledged manufacturing, Managing Director and Chief Executive Satyen Mamtora told the businessline. The trigger for a manufacturing facility would be annual orders of around 2,000-5,000 MVA from the UK, Europe and neighbouring markets. “We would take that decision on demand, not on expectation,” Mamtora added.
The proposed expansion would give TARIL a local presence in a market where investment in electricity networks, renewable energy connections and rising power demand could create opportunities for transformer suppliers. However, the company is keeping its initial commitment measured, with manufacturing contingent on whether regional demand can support the investment.
TARIL’s board has approved an investment of £10 million in the UK subsidiary, to be made in one or more tranches through equity, debt, guarantees or other permissible instruments. The Indian parent will hold a 51 per cent stake. The subsidiary was incorporated in September 2026 but has yet to receive capital or commence operations. TARIL expects to make its first investment by the end of October and operationalise the entity by the end of the December quarter, Mamtora said.
The first phase will focus on customer support, sales and servicing across the UK and Europe, with local assembly to follow. “The first priority is customer support and a sales presence in the UK and Europe, with local assembly capability to follow and, over time, the potential to evolve into a manufacturing base serving the region,” he said. The subsidiary’s approved business scope includes manufacturing and repairing transformers, selling and distributing TARIL products, and trading in transformer components.
International presence
TARIL expects the UK business to begin generating revenue in the next financial year, with a medium-term contribution of around 2-3 per cent of consolidated revenue, Mamtora said. The company intends to target utilities, transmission operators, renewable energy developers, data centres and industrial customers. TARIL has an international presence spanning more than 40 countries, including the UK, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy and Turkey, and has installed more than 18,000 transformers worldwide, according to Mamtora.
Exports accounted for about 8 per cent of revenue in the second quarter and approximately 15 per cent of the company’s order book. Around 20 per cent of its ₹21,000-crore inquiry pipeline comprised export opportunities, he said. The company is in advanced discussions with multiple customers in the UK and Europe but has not disclosed the prospective order values or volumes. Mamtora said announcements would be made as discussions conclude, in line with disclosure obligations. The ability to convert those discussions into firm orders will determine how quickly the subsidiary progresses from a sales and service operation to assembly and, potentially, manufacturing.
The UK plan comes as TARIL continues to expand its manufacturing footprint in India. The company has more than 75,000 MVA of manufacturing capacity and is targeting utilisation of around 90 per cent at its plants. Its Changodar expansion (in Ahmedabad) is expected to begin commercial production around Diwali, followed by the expansion of its extra-high-voltage facility at Moraiya. TARIL has outlined investment of around ₹150 crore at Changodar and ₹900-1,000 crore in backward integration.
Published on October 18, 2026
