LAPL Automotive Sees IPO As Launchpad for Next Phase of Growth, Bets on Capacity Expansion and EV Opportunity
As India’s automotive industry enters a new growth cycle driven by increasing vehicle demand, rapid electrification and localisation, LAPL Automotive Limited believes the timing is right to accelerate its expansion plans through the capital markets. The company has launched its ₹32.40 crore SME Initial Public Offering (IPO), with a significant portion of the proceeds earmarked for setting up a new manufacturing facility at Auric City in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
In an exclusive interaction with Mr. Neeraj Satyaprakash Goyal, Chairman & Managing Director, and Shubham Goyal, Executive Director at LAPL Automotive Limited, spoke about the company’s expansion roadmap, manufacturing strategy, growing opportunities in electric mobility and the vision behind the public issue.
Speaking about the decision to enter the capital markets, Shubham Goyal said the company sees strong tailwinds across the automotive sector.
“We believe this is the right time to access the capital markets because the overall automotive industry is witnessing strong momentum. Whether vehicles run on conventional fuels or electricity, our products remain relevant across segments. The rapid growth of electric vehicle manufacturers has opened up new opportunities for design-led automotive components, and we are well positioned to cater to this demand,” he said.
Capacity expansion to strengthen integrated manufacturing
A key objective of the IPO is the establishment of a new manufacturing facility that will significantly enhance the company’s integrated manufacturing capabilities. According to the management, land acquisition and preliminary site preparation have already been completed, with construction and capital expenditure expected to commence after the IPO.
“The new facility is much more than an expansion in capacity. It will enable us to bring several outsourced processes in-house, including our tool room, SMT production lines, testing laboratories and a dedicated research and development centre. This will improve operational efficiency, reduce dependence on external vendors and strengthen our ability to offer complete end-to-end manufacturing solutions,” Mr.Goyal said.
The company has reported consistent improvement in revenue, profitability and margins over the past three financial years. Explaining the growth trajectory, Mr.Goyal attributed the performance to continuous operational improvements and technology adoption.
“Over the last three years, we have focused extensively on value engineering, process improvements and automation. Higher production volumes have improved our procurement efficiencies, while digital systems such as ERP, HR management and task management software have strengthened accountability across the organisation. Together, these initiatives have helped us improve both profitability and margins,” he said.
LAPL Automotive also operates under both Original Design Manufacturing (ODM) and Original Brand Manufacturing (OBM) models, which the company believes provides a balanced growth strategy.
“Our OBM business delivers stronger margins and improves brand visibility, while the ODM model offers wider market reach and deeper customer engagement, particularly in the replacement market. The combination of both models allows us to diversify revenue streams while strengthening our market presence,” Mr.Goyal added.
EV transition and innovation driving future growth
With electric mobility reshaping the automotive ecosystem, the company sees increasing opportunities in technology-driven products such as advanced lighting systems and BLDC motors.
“Lighting has become an important aesthetic and technology-driven component in modern vehicles. As more EV manufacturers enter the market, every company wants differentiated product designs. Earlier, we introduced only a handful of new products every year. Today, we are adding nearly four to five new products every month, reflecting the growing demand for innovation,” Mr.Goyal said.
He added that the company has already developed capabilities in LED headlamps, projector lighting, adaptive lighting solutions and BLDC motors, while continuing to invest in future mobility technologies.
“Innovation has always been central to our strategy. Being an SME allows us to make decisions quickly and adopt emerging technologies faster. We continue to invest heavily in research and development so that we stay ahead of industry trends and customer expectations,” he said.
On industry challenges such as supply chain disruptions and raw material price volatility, he said the company has built mechanisms to minimise operational risks.
“Most of our raw materials are sourced domestically, reducing our dependence on international supply chains. For imported components, we maintain adequate inventory. In addition, our customer agreements include mechanisms for periodic raw material price revisions, helping us protect operating margins despite commodity price fluctuations,” he explained.
Vision to become a preferred OEM partner
Looking ahead, the management expects the upcoming manufacturing facility to significantly enhance production capacity while enabling the company to strengthen relationships with existing OEM customers and win new business from leading automobile manufacturers.
Neeraj Satyaprakash Goyal, Chairman & Managing Director, said the company’s long-term ambition extends beyond expanding manufacturing capacity.
“Our vision is to build a world-class manufacturing ecosystem that positions LAPL as the preferred automotive lighting partner for leading OEMs. The upcoming facility, which will be significantly larger than our current operations, will strengthen our capabilities, improve customer service and support sustainable long-term growth,” he said.
As LAPL Automotive prepares for its public market debut, the company believes investments in manufacturing, technology, research and innovation will strengthen its competitive position and enable it to capitalise on India’s evolving automotive landscape. With the new facility expected to substantially expand capacity and deepen in-house capabilities, the management remains focused on delivering consistent growth while creating long-term value for customers, partners and shareholders.
