Festo India has announced the appointment of Ravi Sastry as its new Managing Director, effective September 2025. Having joined Festo in 2016, Ravi Sastry has played a crucial role in driving business growth, strengthening operations across various functions, and enhancing customer engagement. Reflecting on this milestone, he said it is “truly an honour to lead this company, as we embark on our next phase of growth,” while expressing gratitude to Festo’s global leadership for the trust placed in him and acknowledging the mentorship of Rashmikant Joshi.
This transition comes as Mr Joshi retires after an illustrious career spanning more than three decades at Festo India. During his tenure, Mr Joshi played a pivotal role in establishing Festo as a trusted partner for Indian industries, guiding the company through phases of growth and transformation, and enhancing its reputation for delivering high-quality automation solutions. His leadership laid a strong foundation on which the company continues to build today.
Festo India: Strengthening Roots with a New Facility
Over the past few decades, Festo India has established a strong presence in the country, with its headquarters in Bangalore, regional offices located across key industrial hubs, and a robust customer support network. A landmark development is its new state-of-the-art manufacturing and learning facility in Hosur, Tamil Nadu, inaugurated in 2024. The Hosur plant reflects Festo’s commitment to India, focusing on localised manufacturing, customer training, and expanding capacity to serve the growing demand from sectors like automotive, electronics, process industries, and life sciences. The facility also integrates Festo’s global expertise with India’s skilled talent pool, contributing to sustainable and advanced manufacturing practices.
Globally, Festo is a family-owned company headquartered in Esslingen am Neckar, Germany, with a legacy of over 90 years in industrial automation and technical education. Operating in more than 60 countries with around 20,000 employees worldwide, Festo is renowned for its pioneering innovations in pneumatic and electric automation technology. The company also plays a leading role in vocational training and technical education through Festo Didactic, which equips millions of learners worldwide with future-ready skills in automation and mechatronics.
As Ravi Sastry takes on his new responsibility, he expressed heartfelt appreciation for his team and customers, noting, “To my incredible team, thank you for the energy, commitment, and trust. Thank you to all our customers for their continued support. I look forward to building long-term relationships with you. It is a proud feeling to work for Festo, especially as we celebrate 100 years of innovation and setting the world in motion.” His words capture both continuity and ambition as Festo India enters its next phase of growth.
With this leadership transition, Festo India is expected to accelerate its contributions to the nation’s manufacturing transformation, particularly in the areas of automation, robotics, and skill development. The change marks not only a generational shift within the company but also a renewed commitment to supporting India’s growth as a global hub for advanced manufacturing. Machine Maker will continue to follow this new chapter in Festo India’s journey, as the company strengthens its partnerships and empowers industries with cutting-edge automation solutions.
