Nikhil Nanda, Chairman and Managing Director of Escorts Kubota, is charting a bold growth strategy that places India’s farm mechanisation and infrastructure boom at the centre of the company’s next phase. Speaking at the company’s 79th Annual General Meeting, Nanda highlighted how Escorts Kubota Ltd. (EKL) is aligning its domestic strengths with Kubota Corporation’s global scale to unlock new opportunities.
Nanda told shareholders that India continues to be one of the largest tractor markets, supported by a strong manufacturing base and an extensive range of products for diverse farming applications. With farm mechanisation in India currently at just 45 per cent, compared to nearly 90 per cent in developed economies, he noted that the sector is poised for robust growth. This growth is further driven by government support, growing food demand, rising labour shortages, and ease of credit access. Industry estimates suggest domestic tractor sales could touch one million units by 2026.
On the construction equipment front, Nanda pointed to rapid urbanisation and government-backed infrastructure spending as both short-term and long-term twin engines of demand. Together, he said, these sectors provide Escorts Kubota with long-term growth drivers.
Escorts Kubota’s “One EKL” Strategy
At the heart of this strategy is “One EKL” – a vision that integrates Escorts’ domestic manufacturing expertise with Kubota’s technology and global reach. Formed in 2021 after Kubota acquired a majority stake in Escorts Ltd., Escorts Kubota is positioning itself as both a domestic leader and a key contributor to Kubota’s global shift from “Made in Japan” to “Made by Kubota”.
“Our plan is to accelerate innovation, broaden market access and leverage India as a world factory,” Nikhil Nanda said. This involves expanding beyond tractors into agri-solutions, engines, parts, and services, while also building research and development capabilities in India.
EKL is set to play a bigger role in Kubota’s global operations, acting as a hub for exports, shared services such as design and IT, and the development and manufacturing of affordable tractors for international markets. “This not only strengthens our position in India but also expands our relevance in Kubota’s global operations,” Nanda said.
The partnership has already widened the company’s portfolio. Alongside Kubota-branded products, Escorts Kubota has launched Worldmaxx and Promaxx models under its Farmtrac brand, with more product launches scheduled this fiscal year across all three brands with an eye on farm mechanisation in India.
With agriculture modernising and infrastructure on a strong growth path, Nikhil Nanda is certain that Escorts Kubota Ltd’s integrated strategy will not only cement its leadership in India but also establish the country as a critical node in Kubota’s worldwide network.
Escort Kubota’s Strategic Shift
Under a strategic shift, India will become a development and manufacturing centre for affordable tractors aimed at international markets, with Escorts Kubota as a key production base. The plan also includes leveraging India as a base for exports and as a hub for shared services such as design and IT for Kubota’s global operations.
“This not only strengthens our position in India but also expands our relevance in Kubota’s global operations,” Nikhil Nanda says.
The partnership has already widened the company’s product portfolio. In addition to Kubota-branded products, Escorts Kubota has also introduced new models, Worldmaxx and Promaxx, under its Farmtrac brand. The company is planning more product launches this fiscal year across all three brands.
With agriculture modernising and infrastructure on a strong growth path, Nikhil Nanda is betting that Escorts Kubota’s integrated strategy will not only cement its leadership in India but also establish the country as a critical node in Kubota’s worldwide network.
Related FAQs for Escorts Kubota
Q1. What is Nikhil Nanda’s vision for Escorts Kubota’s future growth?
Ans. According to Nikhil Nanda, the company is well-poised to “accelerate innovation, broaden market access and drive long-term growth” by tapping into India’s growth story, particularly the growth in farm mechanisation in India. His plan is to "leverage India as a world factory". This integrated approach includes several key pillars:
Expanding beyond traditional tractors into agri-solutions, engines, parts, and services.
Building global research and development (R&D) capabilities within India.
Aligning Indian manufacturing with Kubota’s production system to create what Nanda described as a “world factory”.
Q2. What new products has Escorts Kubota launched recently?
Ans. The partnership has already widened the company’s product portfolio. In addition to Kubota-branded products, Escorts Kubota has also introduced new models, Worldmaxx and Promaxx, under its Farmtrac brand. Nikhil Nanda envisions more product launches this fiscal year across all three brands that will contribute to farm mechanisation in a big way.
With agriculture modernising and infrastructure on a strong growth path, Nikhil Nanda is optimistic that Escorts Kubota’s integrated strategy will not only cement its leadership in India but also establish the country as a critical node in Kubota’s worldwide network.