Group Rhodes eyes growth in India’s concrete machinery market

Wakefield-based machinery manufacturer Group Rhodes has identified new export opportunities in India’s fast-growing construction and infrastructure sectors following its participation in a UK Government trade mission to Mumbai earlier this month.

Chief executive Mark Ridgway OBE, who joined the visit from 7–9 October as part of prime minister Sir Keir Starmer’s delegation, said the trip confirmed strong prospects for advanced manufacturing and heavy engineering businesses in India.

“India is a strong market for Group Rhodes and offers significant growth potential, in particular for our BJD Crushers and Rhodes Interform divisions,” Ridgway said. “The new UK–India trade agreement enhances our competitiveness as a UK exporter and simplifies trade with this fast-growing market.”

Group Rhodes manufactures machinery and turnkey systems for metal and composite forming, clay preparation, crushing and material handling — supplying equipment used across precast, block, and tile production lines, as well as broader industrial applications.

The company, which celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2024, believes the trade agreement will help strengthen supply chains for high-precision forming and compaction equipment used in low-carbon concrete, masonry, and aggregate production.

India, the world’s fifth-largest economy, is projected to rise to third place by 2028. The country’s ongoing infrastructure expansion, housing demand, and cement sector growth are expected to create further opportunities for UK-based machinery and component suppliers.