As India’s die and mould industry continues to evolve with a focus on precision, faster turnaround, and cleaner shopfloor operations, the role of reliable hydraulic and handling solutions is becoming increasingly critical. Hydraulique Production Systems (HPS) International, a French multinational known for its expertise in hydraulic cylinders and clamping systems, is strengthening its presence in India through local manufacturing and closer engagement with toolmakers.
At a time when India’s die and mould industry is focusing on reducing setup times, improving safety, and enhancing precision, Hydraulique Production Systems (HPS) International is positioning itself as a key enabler of these advancements. The France-based company, known for its hydraulic cylinders, clamping systems, and lifting solutions, is participating in the upcoming TAGMA Die & Mould India exhibition, bringing its specialised solutions closer to Indian toolmakers and manufacturing professionals.
Leading this initiative in India is Gopal Divakaran, General Manager & Director of Indian Operations at Hydraulique Production Systems India Pvt Ltd, who joined the organisation in September 2024 with a clear mandate to establish a strong manufacturing foundation in India and build a sustainable customer base. With a background in toolmaking and a deep understanding of shopfloor requirements, he is driving HPS India’s efforts to align global products with the practical needs of Indian tool rooms. In an exclusive interaction with Machine Maker, he shares insights into the company’s participation at TAGMA, its approach to the Indian market, and the expectations from engaging directly with the country’s die and mould ecosystem.
From Imports to Local Manufacturing: HPS International Strengthens Its India Play
Having established its presence in India in 2018 through a sales office, HPS International initially served the market by importing products from its global manufacturing facilities. With operations spanning 29 countries and key production bases in France and China, the company built its early footprint by supplying high-quality hydraulic solutions to customers in India. However, the real shift came in 2025, when HPS took a strategic step towards localisation by starting manufacturing operations in India. This move, focused initially on hydraulic cylinder production, is closely aligned with the requirements of the die and mould industry, particularly in tooling, plastic moulding, and pressure die casting applications.
Explaining this transition, Gopal Divakaran says, “Since 2018, we were importing from our global plants and serving the Indian market. But from 2025, we have started manufacturing in India, beginning with block cylinders, which directly support the moulding industry.” HPS brings a legacy of over three decades in hydraulic engineering, with its core expertise centred on a wide range of hydraulic cylinders used across sectors such as tooling, oil & gas, construction, and even nuclear applications. In India, the company has chosen to begin with block cylinders, recognising their critical role in improving clamping efficiency and precision in tooling environments.
“Hydraulic cylinders are a vast subject. There are thousands of types available. In India, we are focusing on block cylinders first, especially for the tooling sector, and we will expand our portfolio step by step based on market needs,” adds Divakaran. One of the key challenges in the earlier phase was cost and lead time, as imported products often made wider adoption difficult despite strong market interest. Local manufacturing is now addressing both these aspects.
“Earlier, even though Indian customers wanted to use our products, cost and delivery were challenges. Now, with local manufacturing, we are able to offer at a more competitive cost and deliver within 2 to 3 weeks, compared to 4 to 7 weeks earlier,” he explains.
Expanding Beyond Hydraulics: CODIPRO Strengthens HPS’s Lifting Solutions Portfolio
Alongside its hydraulic solutions, HPS International is bringing the strength of its group brand, CODIPRO, to the Indian market, expanding its role from clamping and actuation to safely and efficiently handling heavy components. CODIPRO, headquartered in Luxembourg, has built a strong reputation over the last five decades as a specialist in lifting solutions. Explaining the integration of the two brands, Gopal Divakaran says, “Apart from HPS International, we have another brand, CODIPRO, which has a legacy of 50 years in lifting solutions. Whatever you want to lift, we manufacture the right product for that.”
Currently, CODIPRO products are being imported from its Luxembourg facility to serve Indian customers, with applications ranging from tool rooms to heavy industrial environments. Given the safety-critical nature of lifting operations, these solutions are positioned as essential components in modern manufacturing setups. Its portfolio includes both standard and customised lifting rings designed for handling heavy loads across industries such as tooling, oil & gas, and heavy engineering. These products play a critical role in ensuring safety when moving dies, moulds, and large metal components on the shop floor.
“It is a safety product. Wherever heavy lifting is required—whether in tooling, oil and gas, or other sectors— CODIPRO solutions are used,” he adds. The acquisition of CODIPRO by HPS in 2024 has further strengthened the group’s offering, bringing together hydraulic actuation and lifting solutions under a single umbrella. This integration allows the company to address multiple aspects of the tooling ecosystem, from clamping and positioning to safe handling.
“In the coming years, we have plans to introduce more CODIPRO products in India and, based on the market, we may also look at manufacturing here,” Mr Divakaran notes.
Addressing Shopfloor Challenges: Quality, Reliability and Clean Operations
In many tooling and moulding environments, oil leakage from hydraulic cylinders leads to maintenance issues, safety concerns, and compromised cleanliness. This has often made manufacturers cautious about adopting hydraulic solutions despite their advantages. Highlighting this concern, Gopal Divakaran explains, “In hydraulic products, leakage is a major issue. Everyone wants a clean shopfloor without oil drops. That is where HPS products make a difference; we ensure no leakage.”
Beyond leakage control, the company is also focusing on durability and lifecycle performance. HPS cylinders are designed to deliver up to one million cycles, positioning them as long-term solutions rather than consumables. “We would like to offer it as a lifetime product. Once you buy it, fit and forget, that is what HPS stands for,” he adds.
The company’s approach combines global engineering with local manufacturing. While most components are now produced in India, critical elements such as seals, key to ensuring performance and reliability, continue to be sourced from France to maintain quality standards. “Seals are the heart of hydraulic cylinders. We are manufacturing almost everything in India, except seals, which we import from France to ensure quality and reduce risk,” says Mr Divakaran.
Participation at TAGMA Die & Mould India 2026: Building Awareness and Understanding Market Needs
For HPS India, participation at the TAGMA Die & Mould India 2026 exhibition is a strategic step towards strengthening its presence in the country’s tooling ecosystem. “In India, many customers know HPS International as a global brand, but they are not aware that we have started manufacturing here. There is also a perception that our products are expensive. Through TAGMA, we want to show that we are now affordable, with the same or even superior quality,” notes Gopal Divakaran.
The exhibition also serves as a platform for direct engagement with toolmakers, mould manufacturers, and industry stakeholders, allowing the company to better understand evolving requirements and align its product roadmap accordingly. “TAGMA will help us reach the right audience and also understand what the market needs next. Based on that, we can introduce new products in India,” he adds.
With a dual focus on building awareness and gathering market insights, HPS aims to use TAGMA as a stepping stone for its next phase of growth in India. With local manufacturing now in place and a clear focus on quality, delivery, and application-driven solutions, its participation at TAGMA Die & Mould India 2026 marks an important step in strengthening its engagement with the Indian tooling ecosystem.
