Action Construction Equipment Limited (ACE) and Japan’s KATO Works Co., Ltd. have announced the formation of ACE KATO Pvt. Ltd., a 50:50 joint venture that will manufacture high-capacity cranes in India for both domestic and international markets.
The new company aims to establish a dedicated manufacturing platform for Truck Cranes, Crawler Cranes and Rough Terrain Cranes, catering to a wide range of sectors, including infrastructure, transportation, mining, ports, energy, metro rail, industrial projects and other heavy-duty applications. The partnership combines ACE’s manufacturing expertise and strong domestic presence with KATO’s global technology and engineering capabilities to strengthen India’s position as a hub for advanced crane manufacturing and exports.
The joint venture has established an 11-acre manufacturing facility in Haryana with a planned investment of approximately ₹200 crore. The investment will support manufacturing infrastructure, advanced production systems, technology integration and product development, with additional investments to be made in phases to expand capacity and strengthen the company’s manufacturing capabilities.
The partnership brings together KATO’s globally recognised expertise in crane engineering, design and technology with ACE’s manufacturing excellence, operational agility, integrated supply chain, established supplier ecosystem and extensive nationwide sales and after-sales service network. Together, the partners aim to build a globally competitive manufacturing platform capable of delivering high-quality, cost-competitive lifting solutions for customers in India and international markets.
Under the partnership, KATO will lead product engineering, design and technology, while ACE will be responsible for manufacturing, sourcing and localisation. The product roadmap will initially focus on the development and manufacturing of Truck, Crawler and Rough Terrain Cranes, followed by the phased introduction of more crane models. The products will be manufactured in India for customers across domestic and international markets, reinforcing the vision of ‘Made in India for the World’.
A key focus of the joint venture will be the progressive localisation of components through ACE’s established supplier ecosystem. Increased local sourcing is expected to enhance manufacturing efficiency, optimise production costs, improve supply-chain resilience and reduce lead times while maintaining the quality, reliability and safety standards associated with KATO’s engineering.
Commenting on the announcement, Mr. Sorab Agarwal, Executive Director, Action Construction Equipment Limited, said: “ACE KATO Pvt. Ltd. marks a defining milestone in ACE’s growth journey and reinforces our long-term commitment to strengthening India’s construction equipment manufacturing ecosystem. For more than three decades, ACE has been at the forefront of indigenous manufacturing and has built a strong foundation through engineering excellence, operational capabilities and customer reach. By partnering with KATO, we are combining globally proven Japanese technology with India’s manufacturing strengths to create a world-class platform for high-capacity crane manufacturing.”
He further added: “Our vision extends beyond manufacturing products. We are building a long-term technology and manufacturing partnership focused on creating a strong, future-ready crane manufacturing platform in India. This phased approach will enable us to address the evolving requirements of customers while strengthening our competitiveness across domestic and international markets.” Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Tomoyasu Kato, Director, KATO Works Co., Ltd., said: “ACE has established itself as one of India’s most respected construction equipment manufacturers with strong manufacturing capabilities, a robust supplier ecosystem and an extensive market presence. Through ACE KATO Pvt. Ltd., we are creating an additional manufacturing base within KATO’s global production network while working together to deliver reliable, technologically advanced crane solutions for customers in India and overseas markets.”
The joint venture represents a significant step in advancing India’s high-capacity crane manufacturing capabilities by bringing together Japanese engineering, indigenous manufacturing and progressive localisation under a single manufacturing platform. With phased investments planned for future expansion, ACE KATO Pvt. Ltd. is well positioned to support the next phase of infrastructure development while enhancing India’s role in the global construction equipment value chain.
