Wipro GE Healthcare Sticks to $1 Bn Investment Plans in India

The $1 billion investment, announced in 2024, focuses on manufacturing and R&D over the next five years.

Wipro GE Healthcare, a joint venture between GE Precision Healthcare LLC, USA, and Wipro Enterprises, confirmed that its $1 billion investment plans for expansion in India will remain unchanged despite global economic and political developments.

Chaitanya Sarawate, MD, Wipro GE Healthcare and President & CEO, GE HealthCare South Asia, addressed concerns raised after US President Donald Trump urged businesses to relocate manufacturing to the United States to avoid tariffs and access tax benefits.

“Our plans remain unchanged at the moment because it is too early to speculate. We want to be in India for India, but we also want [to be] in India for the world. That vision has driven the $4 billion investment over the past 35 years and the next $1 billion investment. That plan has not changed, will not change at the present moment,” Sarawate stated.

The $1 billion investment, announced in 2024, focuses on manufacturing and research and development (R&D) over the next five years.

The company operates three manufacturing facilities in Bengaluru, producing 30 products, including MR, PET CT, and ultrasound devices, of which 50% are exported to 70 countries, including the United States.

Further, Sarawate revealed that Wipro GE Healthcare is conducting a detailed study to evaluate potential expansion locations.

“The study would evaluate whether we should be based in Karnataka, where we are currently located, or does it make sense for us to expand in alternative states. Of course, Tamil Nadu is one of the states that we will look at seriously. At the end of the day, what we are looking for is scale and talent availability. What we are looking for is port, connectivity, logistics, and the presence of a supplier base,” he explained.

The company also highlighted its focus on innovation, particularly in the development of embedded artificial intelligence (AI) machines aimed at reducing patient scanning times.

“If it took 40 minutes without AI, it takes 20 minutes with AI. So, it doubles the capacity of the MRI machine,” Sarawate added. Wipro GE Healthcare’s current export portfolio includes PET DIQ, CT scanners, MR gradients and coils, tubes, generators, and ultrasound products, with a significant portion shipped to the US market.