In an interview with TimesTech, Santoshi Sushma Buddhiraju, Co-Founder and CEO of Autocracy Machinery, discusses how indigenous R&D, in-house manufacturing, and sustainable design are reshaping India’s heavy machinery landscape. She shares insights on rapid revenue growth, defence deployments, and energy-efficient innovations, outlining how the company is advancing infrastructure, environmental restoration, and the Atmanirbhar Bharat mission through practical, future-ready solutions. She also reflects on leadership and inclusion journey.
Read the full interview here:
TimesTech: Autocracy Machinery is positioning itself as a symbol of indigenous innovation. How are your in-house R&D capabilities and product design redefining heavy machinery manufacturing in India?
Santoshi: At Autocracy Machinery, our approach to innovation is deeply rooted in understanding the unique needs of our customers and the demanding conditions in India. We don’t just design products; we create solutions that are built to endure and perform in the toughest environments. By aligning our in-house R&D efforts with the real-world challenges faced by various industries, we ensure that each machine is not only highly functional but also tailored for maximum long-term utility.
We focus on designing products with the future in mind, ensuring that they remain relevant and efficient as market demands evolve. This forward-thinking approach ensures that our machines continue to deliver value for years to come, helping our customers achieve their goals while contributing to India’s vision of self-reliance. Our commitment to building products that blend innovation with practical usability positions Autocracy Machinery as a leader in redefining heavy machinery manufacturing in India.
TimesTech: The company has witnessed an extraordinary growth trajectory, moving from INR 22 crore in FY 24–25 to a targeted INR 120 crore in FY 25–26. What key strategic decisions and market demands have fueled this rapid scale-up?
Santoshi: Our growth trajectory has been fueled by our ability to understand and quickly adapt to market demands. From the outset, we recognised the need for high-performance, multi-purpose machinery tailored to the unique challenges of Indian industries. We focused on developing machines that could address a wide range of applications—reducing the need for multiple machines and streamlining operations.
Our decision to concentrate on highly customisable solutions has proven invaluable, particularly in rapidly growing infrastructure projects. By aligning our products with national priorities like Atmanirbhar Bharat and sustainability, we’ve been able to position ourselves as a reliable partner to customers seeking local manufacturing and energy-efficient solutions.
Continued investment in R&D and the expansion of our product offerings has allowed us to scale effectively while maintaining operational efficiency. Additionally, our focus on technological innovation, coupled with a lean operational model, has led to significant cost savings, setting the stage for sustainable, impactful growth.
TimesTech: Your machines are being deployed for critical applications such as border trenching for the Indian Army. How does achieving 100% in-house development strengthen India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat mission and reduce reliance on imports?
Santoshi: Achieving 100% in-house development is a cornerstone of our commitment to strengthening India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat mission. By manufacturing locally, we reduce reliance on expensive imported machinery while contributing to India’s growing engineering capabilities. This not only helps reduce operational costs but also empowers India’s heavy machinery sector to thrive independently.
In critical applications like border trenching for the Indian Army, local manufacturing provides us with the flexibility to tailor machines for the unique demands of the terrain and operational conditions. Unlike imported machines, which may be constrained by limited customization options and long lead times, our in-house approach enables us to quickly implement improvements based on real-time feedback, ensuring that our machines remain reliable and future-ready. This local innovation empowers the defence sector with cost-effective, high-performance solutions built to endure the toughest environments.
TimesTech: Energy efficiency and sustainability are becoming non-negotiable in industrial manufacturing. How do Autocracy Machinery’s trenching machines and lake cleaners reduce carbon footprint compared to conventional excavators?
Santoshi: At Autocracy Machinery, we take our commitment to sustainability seriously. In the context of trenching machines and lake cleaners, we’ve worked tirelessly to ensure that they deliver maximum output with minimal environmental impact. Our machines are designed with fuel-efficient systems, reducing operational carbon footprints compared to conventional excavators that consume much more fuel for similar tasks.
Our hydraulic systems and engine optimisations significantly lower fuel consumption, while our machines are designed to minimise soil disturbance and emissions. These efforts not only help our customers save costs but also support India’s broader goals of carbon reduction and environmental sustainability. By designing machines that operate efficiently, we’re contributing to cleaner water bodies and sustainable infrastructure development.
TimesTech: As a woman leading a fast-growing heavy machinery company, what challenges did you face in a traditionally male-dominated sector, and how has your leadership vision shaped Autocracy’s culture and growth?
Santoshi: Leading a heavy machinery company in a male-dominated industry comes with its own set of challenges, but I have always believed that leadership is about vision and execution. While there were initial stereotypes and biases to overcome, I’ve always felt that innovation, integrity, and hard work are the key factors that define leadership — not gender.
At Autocracy, we focus on empowering our people, building a diverse team, and fostering an environment where every idea is valued. My leadership philosophy is rooted in creating a culture of collaboration, where everyone, regardless of gender, can contribute and thrive. By breaking traditional barriers, We’ve aimed to cultivate a workplace that encourages creativity, problem-solving, and continuous improvement. This mindset has allowed Autocracy to grow rapidly, with a strong focus on innovation and sustainability.
TimesTech: With plans to sell over 300 trenching machines and 20+ lake cleaners this year, how do you see Autocracy Machinery contributing to India’s infrastructure, defence preparedness, and environmental restoration in the coming years?
Santoshi: I firmly believe Autocracy Machinery is positioned to make a significant contribution to India’s growth in critical sectors—infrastructure, defence preparedness, and environmental restoration.
Infrastructure development is a key pillar of India’s growth, and with rapid urbanisation and large-scale national projects, the demand for reliable, cost-effective machinery has never been greater. Our trenching machines are designed to enhance efficiency and reduce operational complexity in large infrastructure projects, playing an essential role in the nation’s development.
In the defence sector, the security of our borders is paramount. Our border trenching machines are locally manufactured to meet the tough demands of defence operations, ensuring the Indian Army has reliable, durable equipment. This aligns with our commitment to Atmanirbhar Bharat, reducing India’s reliance on imports and providing solutions tailored to local requirements.
Environmental restoration is another area where our machines are making a real impact. With growing concerns over water pollution and ecosystem preservation, our lake cleaners are actively contributing to the restoration of water bodies across India. These solutions play a crucial role in supporting India’s environmental sustainability goals and ensuring cleaner, healthier ecosystems for future generations.
Autocracy Machinery’s products are designed to address the evolving needs of these sectors, and we are committed to driving innovation and delivering high-performance solutions that support India’s continued growth and development.
