AndrewJordan at 17:55, 24 February 2026

2026-02-24T17:55:36Z

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{{short description|Indian multinational automotive engineering and manufacturing conglomerate}}
{{distinguish|Escort Group|Special Escort Group (disambiguation){{!}}Special Escort Group}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2015}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Escorts Kubota Limited
| logo = Escorts Kubota Limited.svg
| logo_size = 200px
| type = [[Public company|Public]]
| traded_as = {{BSE|500495}} {{NSE|ESCORTS}}
| location = [[Faridabad]], [[Haryana]], India
| founder = {{plainlist|
*[[Har Prasad Nanda|H P Nanda]]}}
| foundation = {{start date and age|1944}}
| area_served = Worldwide
| key_people = [[Nikhil Nanda]] ([[chairman]] and [[Managing Director|MD]])
| revenue = {{up}} {{INRconvert|9248|c}} (FY 2024)<ref name=FY21/>
| net_income = {{up}} {{INRconvert|1048|c}} (FY 2024)<ref name=FY21>{{cite news |title=Escorts Kubota AR23|url=https://www.bseindia.com/xml-data/corpfiling/AttachLive/b720f86b-361d-45f7-9a44-f67fd0f1a6bb.pdf |access-date=9 May 2024|work=bseindia.com}}</ref>
| industry = [[Agricultural machinery]]<br />[[Automotive]]<br />[[Engineering]]
| products = {{plainlist|
*[[Tractors]]
*[[Backhoe loader]]
*[[Crane (machine)|Cranes]]
*[[Crop protection]]
*[[Railway brake|Railway brake system]]
*[[Railway coupler]]s
*[[Compactor|Vibratory compactor]]}}
| owners = {{ubl|[[Kubota Corporation]] (53.50%)|Nanda family (14%)}}
| num_employees = 14,510 (2024)
| website = {{URL|http://www.escortskubota.com/}}
}}

'''Escorts Kubota Limited''', formerly '''Escorts Limited''', is an Indian multinational [[Conglomerate (company)|conglomerate]] that operates in the sectors of [[agricultural machinery]], construction machinery, material handling, and railway equipment. Its headquarters are located in [[Faridabad]], [[Haryana]]. The company was launched in 1944 and has marketing operations in more than 40 countries. Escorts manufactures [[tractor]]s, automotive components, railway equipment, and construction and material handling equipment.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Escorts Agri Machinery International {{!}} Escorts Agri Machinery|url=https://www.escortsgroup.com/agri-machinery/international/|access-date=2021-08-23|website=escortsgroup.com|archive-date=19 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220419112549/https://www.escortsgroup.com/agri-machinery/international/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Escorts Kubota Limited's management team includes [[Nikhil Nanda]] as the Chairman and Managing Director and Seizi Fukuoka as Deputy Managing Director.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-05-23/news/39475719_1_nikhil-nanda-escorts-s-sridhar|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130608140342/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-05-23/news/39475719_1_nikhil-nanda-escorts-s-sridhar|url-status = dead|archive-date = 8 June 2013|title=How Nikhil Nanda is transforming Escorts to recapture it's lost ground}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title= Can Nikhil Nanda turn around Escorts |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/can-nikhil-nanda-turn-around-escorts-115012101377_1.html |newspaper=Business Standard India |date=21 January 2015|last1=Bhandari |first1=Bhupesh }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.dnaindia.com/money/report-nikhil-nanda-at-escorts-ltd-wants-exports-to-drive-growth-looks-at-steering-construction-business-into-profits-2011515|title=Nikhil Nanda wants exports to drive growth |publisher=DNA Website | date=18 August 2014}}</ref>

== History ==
Escorts Limited was originally founded as Escorts Agents Ltd. in 1944 by brothers [[Har Prasad Nanda]] and Yudi Nanda. They started a family owned business, Nanda Bus Company, in [[Lahore]].

Escorts Limited was founded in 1960 after the company set up its manufacturing base at Faridabad and began manufacturing [[agricultural machinery]], [[X-ray generator|x-ray machines]] with [[Westinghouse Electric Corporation|Westinghouse]] and heating elements with Elpro.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Overview|url=https://www.escortsgroup.com/escorts-group/overview.html|access-date=2021-08-23|website=escortsgroup.com|archive-date=7 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220807072420/https://www.escortsgroup.com/escorts-group/overview.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In March 2020, [[Kubota Corporation]] acquired a 10% stake in Escorts Limited for {{INRconvert|1042|c|mode=historical|year=2020}} through preferential allotment, while Escorts Limited acquired a 40% stake in Kubota's Indian subsidiary, Kubota Agri Machinery India Pvt Ltd, for {{INRconvert|900|c|mode=historical|year=2020}}.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ghosh |first1=Malyaban |title=Japan's Kubota Corp buys 10% stake in Escorts for ₹1042 crore |url=https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/japan-s-tubota-corp-buys-10-stake-in-escorts-for-1042-crore-11584719308219.html |access-date=17 September 2024 |work=Mint |date=21 March 2020}}</ref> In November 2021, Kubota increased its stake in Escorts Limited from 9.09% to 14.99% after acquiring an additional 5.90% stake through a preferential issue for {{INRconvert|1872|c|mode=historical|year=2021}}.<ref>{{cite news |title=Japan's Kubota acquires additional 5.9% stake in Escorts for ₹1,873 crore |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/japans-kubota-acquires-additional-59-stake-in-escorts-for-1873-crore/article37564695.ece |access-date=17 September 2024 |work=BusinessLine |date=18 November 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

In June 2022, Kubota increased its stake to 44.80% following an [[tender offer|open offer]] and subscription to new shares, and the company was renamed as Escorts Kubota Limited.<ref>{{cite news |title=Escorts changes name to Escorts Kubota as Japan firm raises stake though open offer |url=https://www.cnbctv18.com/market/stocks/escorts-ltd-gets-approvals-to-change-its-name-to-escorts-kubota-with-effect-from-today-13773382.htm/ |access-date=17 September 2024 |work=CNBCTV18 |date=9 June 2022 |language=en}}</ref> Kubota's stake increased to 53.50% after the cancellation of all shares held by Escorts Benefit and Welfare Trust in the company.<ref>{{cite web |title=Escorts Kubota Limited |url=https://www.icra.in/Rationale/ShowRationaleReport?Id=122373 |publisher=ICRA |access-date=17 September 2024}}</ref>

In 2024, the [[NCLT]] approved a merger of Kubota Agricultural Machinery India Pvt Ltd and Escorts Kubota India Pvt Ltd with Escorts Kubota Limited.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ghosh |first1=Anupama |title=Escorts Kubota merger approved by NCLT |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/markets/escorts-kubota-merger-approved-by-nclt/article68553537.ece |access-date=17 September 2024 |work=BusinessLine |date=22 August 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

== Businesses ==
=== Escorts Agri Machinery ===
Escorts Agri Machinery was launched in 1960. The company manufactures [[tractors]] under the brand names Farmtrac, Powertrac, and Steeltrac.<ref>{{cite web|title= Escorts forms JV with Amul Group for Specialised Tractors |url= http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/escorts-forms-jv-with-amul-group-for-specialized-tractors/article7098945.ece |publisher=Hindu Business Line | date=13 April 2015}}</ref> The first Escorts tractors were produced in 1961 based on [[Ursus SA|Ursus]] license.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.escortsgroup.com/escorts-group/useful-links/history-milestones.html|title = History & Milestones}}</ref> In 1969, a partnership with [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] was set up to produce licensed Ford tractors for India.<ref name="escortsagri.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.escortsgroup.com/agri-machinery/|title=Agriculture Tractor, Farming Equipment & Machinery Manufacturer's in India- Escorts Agri Machinery|website=escortsgroup.com}}</ref>

Escorts has a plant in [[Mrągowo]], [[Poland]], that was purchased from [[Pol-Mot Holding|Pol-Mot]] in 2000,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://farmtrac.com.pl/en_ofirmie.php |title=Farmtrac |website=farmtrac.com.pl |access-date=14 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017230730/http://farmtrac.com.pl/en_ofirmie.php |archive-date=17 October 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and four plants in India. There was an assembly plant in [[Tarboro, North Carolina]], that was purchased from Long Agri, but the North American subsidiary went into [[receivership]] in 2008.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tractordata.com/news/2008/02/farmtrac-troubles.html|title=TractorData.com - Farmtrac stops production|website=tractordata.com}}</ref>

===Escorts Kubota – Construction Equipment===

Escorts Kubota Limited – Construction Equipment manufactures and markets construction and material handling equipment like Safe Cranes, Hydra Cranes, backhoe loaders & compactors. Formerly, Escorts Construction Equipment Limited, their manufacturing and assembly facility is located in [[Faridabad, Haryana]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.escortsgroup.com/construction-equipment |title=Construction Equipment Manufacturers & Suppliers in India, Construction Equipment Company in India | Escorts ECE }}</ref>

===Railway Equipment Division===

The Railway Equipment Division manufactures and supplies critical railway components such as air brake systems, EP brake systems, draft gears and couplers, composition brake blocks, dampers, and rubber components to the [[Indian Railways]]. The manufacturing facility is located in Sector 24, Faridabad.{{Citation needed|date=August 2025}}

===Escorts Auto Products===

Escorts Auto Products manufactures auto suspension products such as shock absorbers, struts, and telescopic front forks for the [[automotive industry]]. The company collaborated with Fichtel & Sachs to introduce the concept of shock absorbers to be manufactured in India in 1966. In 2016, Escorts' Auto Products business was divested to Pune-based Badve Engineering.<ref>{{cite news|title= Escorts divests auto products business to Badve Engineering |newspaper= Business Standard India |url= http://www.business-standard.com/content/b2b-manufacturing-industry/escorts-divests-auto-products-business-to-badve-engineering-116081100881_1.html |publisher=Business Standard | date=11 August 2016|last1= Rao |first1= Rakesh }}</ref>

===Motorcycles===
The motorcycle division of Escorts group used to manufacture Polish [[SHL M11]] {{cvt|175|cc|abbr=on}} motorcycles under the brand name '''Rajdoot''' from the early 1960s until 2005.<ref>{{in lang|pl}} Adam Zakrzewski, ''Auto-moto PRL: władcy dróg i poboczy'', Demart, Warsaw 2010, {{ISBN|978-83-7427-484-5}}, p.131</ref>

In the early 1980s, Escorts started making [[Yamaha Motor Company|Yamaha]] motorcycles in India. [[Rajdoot 350]] was launched in 1983, which was later followed by the [[Yamaha RX 100]] in 1985. The "RX" name signified "Rajdoot × Yamaha".<ref name=autosorigins>{{cite web | url = https://www.autos.id/berita-otomotif/kisah-cikal-bakal-lahirnya-yamaha-rx-king/ | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240721175204/https://www.autos.id/berita-otomotif/kisah-cikal-bakal-lahirnya-yamaha-rx-king/ | archive-date = 2024-07-21 | title = Kisah Cikal Bakal Lahirnya Yamaha RX-King | trans-title = The Story of the Origin of the Yamaha RX-King | language = id | work = Autos.id | first = Kukuh | last = Wicaksono | date = 2017-10-10 }}</ref> The motorcycle manufacturing unit in Faridabad, India, was sold to Yamaha in 2001 when Escorts decided to quit the motorcycle business to concentrate on tractors and auto components.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/archive/|title=Archive News|website=The Hindu}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cartoq.com/10-forgotten-bikes-of-india/|title=10 Forgotten Bikes of India|date=30 June 2016}}</ref>

==Knowledge Management Centre==
The Escorts Knowledge Management Centre (KMC) was created in 1976 and is spread over {{Convert|100000|m2|mi2|abbr=}} in Faridabad. The centre designs tractors. It has facilities such as an engine laboratory that has computerised test beds with online control, [[data acquisition]], and analysis; an advanced vehicle testing laboratory; a noise vibration and harshness lab; a metrology lab; and a materials engineering lab.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Escorts Knowledge Management Centre in Faridabad, Haryana, India – Company Profile|url=https://www.tradeindia.com/Seller-6952798-Escorts-Knowledge-Management-Centre/|access-date=2021-08-23|website=tradeindia.com}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Nifty 200 companies}}

[[Category:Agricultural machinery manufacturers of India]]
[[Category:Tractor manufacturers of India]]
[[Category:Engineering companies of India]]
[[Category:Indian brands]]
[[Category:Companies based in Haryana]]
[[Category:Manufacturing companies established in 1960]]
[[Category:1960 establishments in India]]
[[Category:Companies listed on the National Stock Exchange of India]]
[[Category:Companies listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange]]

Escorts Kubota Limited - Revision history

AndrewJordan at 17:55, 24 February 2026