SKF India (Industrial) Appoints Sujeeth Pai as Managing Director; Mukund Vasudevan Moves to Regional Leadership Role

SKF India (Industrial) has appointed Sujeeth Pai as Managing Director, effective September 1, 2026, marking a significant leadership transition as the company focuses on profitable growth, operational excellence and strengthening its position in India’s industrial technology market.

The appointment was approved by the Nomination Committee and Board of Directors on August 11, 2026.

Pai will succeed Mukund Vasudevan, who is moving into a broader role within the SKF Group as President – Industrial Region, overseeing operations across India, Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

The transition establishes a clear leadership structure, with Pai taking responsibility for India-focused operations while Vasudevan provides strategic oversight across the wider regional business.

Sujeeth Pai to Lead India Operations

In his new role, Pai will be responsible for steering SKF India (Industrial)’s operations and driving its profitable growth agenda.

His mandate comes at a time when industrial customers are increasingly adopting technology-driven solutions to improve equipment reliability, reduce downtime and enhance productivity.

SKF India (Industrial) operates across areas including bearings and units, condition monitoring and industrial services, supporting customers across a range of industrial and manufacturing applications.

With growing emphasis on automation, predictive maintenance and data-led industrial decision-making, Pai’s experience across sales and operations is expected to support the company’s continued business development.

Pai Brings Cross-Industry Sales and Operations Experience

Pai joined SKF in 2022 and has since taken on key responsibilities spanning sales and operations.

Before joining SKF, he worked with Danfoss Drives India, Tektronix and Fluke, gaining experience across commercial, operational and business functions.

His career has therefore combined customer-facing leadership with operational exposure, providing a broad perspective on industrial markets and business growth.

Pai holds an MBA from the Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad, along with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from P.E.S.I.T., Bangalore.

Mukund Vasudevan Takes on Expanded Regional Responsibility

As Pai takes charge of SKF India (Industrial), Mukund Vasudevan will move into the role of President – Industrial Region, with responsibility for India, Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

The move expands Vasudevan’s leadership mandate and places him in charge of a wider geographic portfolio within SKF’s Industrial business.

The new governance model creates a clear distinction between regional strategic direction and India-level operational execution. This allows the India business to have dedicated leadership while maintaining alignment with SKF’s broader priorities across the region.

Technology and Efficiency Remain Key Industrial Priorities

The leadership transition comes as manufacturers and industrial businesses increasingly look for solutions that can improve productivity while controlling operating costs.

Some of the key priorities shaping the sector include:

• Predictive and condition-based maintenance
• Industrial automation
• Asset performance optimisation
• Digital monitoring and diagnostics
• Reduced equipment downtime
• Energy and operational efficiency
• Data-driven maintenance decisions

These shifts are creating greater demand for industrial technology providers that can combine engineering expertise with digital capabilities and service-led solutions.

Focus on Profitable Growth

For SKF India (Industrial), Pai’s appointment comes with a clear mandate to strengthen business performance while pursuing sustainable expansion.

His background across sales, operations and industrial technology could prove valuable as SKF responds to changing customer expectations and emerging opportunities across India’s manufacturing ecosystem.

At the same time, Vasudevan’s regional appointment strengthens the Group’s ability to coordinate its Industrial strategy across India and neighbouring high-growth markets.

A Structured Leadership Transition

The appointments represent more than a change in leadership titles. They establish a structure that separates day-to-day India business leadership from broader regional strategy, allowing each leader to focus on a distinct set of priorities.

With Sujeeth Pai leading SKF India (Industrial) and Mukund Vasudevan taking charge of the wider Industrial Region, SKF is positioning its leadership team to support both local execution and regional growth.

As industrial markets continue to evolve through digitalisation, automation and increasing demand for operational efficiency, the new leadership structure will be important in helping SKF navigate its next phase of growth.