Transformer Innovation in India: JSTI Portrait Series 5 – Amit Solanki (JSTI Transformers Pvt. Ltd.) Powering India’s Mobility Future Through French Engineering and Indian Manufacturing Excellence.

JSTI Transformers Pvt. Ltd. merges French technical precision with Indian manufacturing agility to deliver world-class traction transformers. Under Amit Solanki’s leadership, the company powers landmark rail projects like Vande Bharat and high-speed rail, positioning India as a global hub for advanced rail technology.

1. Can you summarize your past experiences and tell us why you decided to accept the Director of JSTI Transformers and introduce yourself?

With over two decades of leadership in the manufacturing sector, my career has spanned diverse industries—from Automotive and Breweries to Railway Infrastructure and Post-Harvest machinery. At my core, I am a practitioner of operational excellence; as a Six Sigma Black Belt, my career has been defined by the strategic application and customization of Lean Manufacturing principles across these varied sectors.

I operate on a fundamental philosophy: People, Plant, & Process. I believe that if you refine these three pillars, a superior Product is the inevitable outcome.

The decision to join JSTI Transformers as Director was driven by the company’s unique synergy of Indian manufacturing agility and French technical heritage. The prospect of applying Lean methodologies to the specialized field of transformer manufacturing sector distinct from my previous experiences, was a challenge I found incredibly compelling.

Since joining, the results have been transformative. We have successfully increased production output, significantly boosted revenue, and elevated our brand visibility. It is a point of immense professional pride that JSTI Transformers is a key contributor to the Vande Bharat project. Knowing that these prestigious trains are powered by transformers manufactured under my leadership—utilizing highly refined designs from our French technical colleagues —is a testament to what we have achieved. Beyond domestic success, our work for markets in Korea, Turkey and Europe continues to solidify our position as a global leader in advanced transformer technology.

2. What is the activity of JSTI in India, its clients and the added value for India market?

“JSTI Transformers operates as a critical technical bridge between European innovation and Indian manufacturing excellence. Our primary activity in India is the production of high-performance traction transformers, with a specialized focus on the railway markets.

Our Core Activity and Clients: We are a premier partner for major rail infrastructure projects, most notably serving Indian Railways through the prestigious Vande Bharat mission. Our expertise extends to a global clientele, including major rolling stock manufacturers across Korea, Turkey and Europe. In India, our Baddi-based facility serves as a hub for both the manufacturing of new units—capable of reaching up to 10MVA—and providing specialized repair and maintenance services that ensure the longevity of these high-value assets.

Added Value for the Indian Market: The true value JSTI brings to India lies in Technological Sophistication and Self-Reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat).

French Engineering, Indian Manufacturing:We introduce world-class ‘Shell Technology’ and refined French designs to the local market. This results in transformers that are more compact, lightweight and efficient, which is crucial for high-speed rail performance.
Mission-Critical Reliability:By powering the Vande Bharat trains, we are not just supplying a product; we are ensuring the reliability of India’s next-generation transport backbone.
Operational Excellence:we provide the Indian market with a highly optimized supply chain—evidenced by our ability to triple output without compromising the stringent quality standards required for international export.

In essence, JSTI’s presence in India transforms the domestic landscape from being a mere consumer of technology to a high-tech manufacturing hub capable of meeting both local demands and global export standards.

3. When and with what strategy was the decision taken by France HQ to establish in India?

The strategic decision to establish JSTI in India was finalized in 2009, with the inauguration of our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Baddi, Himachal Pradesh.

The strategy was driven by two primary pillars:

Capitalizing on India’s Infrastructure Revolution: Our French headquarters recognized early on that India was on the cusp of an exponential transformation in its railway infrastructure and rolling stock sectors. By establishing a local presence, JSTI positioned itself as a ‘first-mover’ to support the modernization of the Indian rail network with high-end, European-standard technology.
A ‘Global Hub’ Philosophy:The vision was never merely to sell to India, but to manufacture in India for the world. Our HQ saw the exceptional potential of Indian engineering talent and manufacturing agility. This foresight perfectly aligned with the ‘Make in India’ initiative, long before it became a national mandate. By combining French technical IP with Indian operational excellence, we created a competitive hub capable of delivering high-complexity projects globally.

Since our inception in 2009, this strategy has been validated by our track record. We have evolved from a regional subsidiary into a global centre of excellence, delivering critical transformer technology to projects across Europe, Asia and Korea, all while remaining a foundational partner in India’s domestic transport milestones, such as the Vande Bharat project.

4. What is JSTI's future expected growth and projects?

After closing the last financial year with record-breaking revenue and robust EBIT margins, we view the future of JSTI Transformers with immense optimism. Our growth strategy is built on three strategic pillars:

Dominance in High-Speed Rail & Domestic Landmarks:
We are incredibly proud to announce that JSTI has been entrusted with designing and manufacturing the traction transformers for India’s first High-Speed Rail (the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project). This is a milestone achievement that directly contributes to Prime Minister Modi’s vision for a modernized Indian rail network. Additionally, we are heavily involved in the Vande Bharat Sleeper Class trains and are actively expanding our footprint into the rapidly growing Metro Rail segments across India.
Global Export Excellence:
Our order book remains strong with major international train builders. We are currently executing high-value export projects for the South Korean and European markets, proving that our Baddi facility meets the most stringent global technical standards.
Lifecycle Support & Maintenance:
Beyond manufacturing, we are expanding our national presence through specialized Annual Maintenance Contracts (AMC). By ensuring the long-term reliability of transformers in the field, we are playing a crucial role in the seamless, uninterrupted operation of theIndian Railways.

Scalability & Readiness:
From a capacity perspective, JSTI is fully prepared for this exponential growth. With our continuous focus on People, Plant & Process firmly in place, dedicated Capex secured and available land for expansion, we possess the agility to scale production rapidly to meet global demand.

Conclusion

With the strong technical backing of our Centre of Excellence at JST-Transformatuer at Lyon, France and the unwavering commitment of our local team, JSTI is positioned for a new era of growth. We are not just manufacturing transformers; we are powering the future of mobility in India and across the globe.

For more information on this portrait or on UJA contact olivia@uja.in