DELTA INSIGHTS
Opportunity in transformation: strengthening the Indian market through technological expertise
Interview with Mr. Benjamin Lin, President of DIN
Text by Brand & Communications Division 2025/06
Amid global supply chain restructuring and rapidly shifting geopolitics, businesses must strengthen their localized operations and technological arrangements across regions to respond more flexibly to market fluctuations. Delta has been operating in India since 2003, and for over twenty years, it has become one of the key hubs for overseas growth. This issue’s "Delta Insights” invites the President of Delta India, Benjamin Lin, to share his observations on the Indian market, his management philosophy, and how to seek growth opportunities amidst change, thereby creating a new blueprint for "India for Global."

Aligning with policy, leveraging strengths: accelerating market expansion 
Under the promotion of the national initiatives "Make in India" and "Digital India," the Indian government has not only proposed subsidy programs to attract foreign investment for the establishment of production bases but has also been actively pursuing a digital transformation in recent years. Since assuming the position of President of Delta India in 2022, Ben has been actively engaged in the region for three years. Regarding India's economic development and transformation, Ben shares his firsthand observations: "Many people still view India as a developing economy; however, upon closer examination, one will find that India is experiencing rapid growth, with its GDP consistently maintained at around 6-7% over the past few years, outpacing most developing countries. In addition to our ongoing focus on smart manufacturing, we’re now also seeing exciting new opportunities emerge from the rise of AI and data centers. ''

In 2024, the Indian government launched the "IndiaAI Mission," a policy initiative led by the government to establish public cloud-based AI data centers, collaborating with startups and existing industries to create an AI ecosystem. As AI applications gradually transition from cloud computing to edge computing, the Indian government aims to leverage global experiences to promote the technological deployment of AI servers and edge computing. Ben emphasized that we should seize the opportunities presented by these policies. Analyzing our business promotion strategies, He stated, "We’ve brought over our experience working with leading semiconductor companies in Japan and applied it to the Indian market. At the same time, we’ve begun collaborating with major local enterprises such as TATA and Adani. By replicating successful experiences, cultivating local relationships, and forming strategic alliances, we're expanding Delta's presence in India’s AI and data center sectors. " This approach not only introduces technology but also establishes the strength and resilience of local AI development in India. In doing so, Delta is becoming a key enabler in the country’s digital transformation journey.

Despite India's prominent market potential, the stability of its power supply remains a major challenge. "According to official statistics, the country still experiences an average of one hour of power outage per day, which poses a significant challenge for high-energy-consuming AI and data centers. " Despite this, Ben pointed this situation actually highlighted Delta's core strengths in power management and energy infrastructure as a critical competitive advantage. Delta currently holds nearly 60% market share in India’s telecom power sector and has surpassed US$100 million in annual revenue for four consecutive years, reaching US$118 million in 2024, with promising growth prospects for the future. "We not only provide power supply but also integrate battery systems to assist our clients in stabilizing their power supply. This is the result of our long-term commitment and efforts in the local market. ''

Rooted in India, serving the world
In 2014, upon taking office, Indian Prime Minister Modi encouraged foreign investment companies to engage in local manufacturing. Delta actively responded by initiating an expansion of its operations. Starting in 2015, the company has gradually expanded its manufacturing capacity and continued to invest in newly established production facilities, as well as research and development centers in 2016. "I believe Delta's strategy for development in India is highly visionary! From a global perspective, distributing manufacturing capabilities allows us to better meet the needs of customers worldwide. " Ben stated that Delta was not only focused on expanding its capacity but also optimistic about local talent development. The company relocated its headquarters to Bengaluru, the country’s technology hub, and established a research and development center there. Additionally, it built four manufacturing facilities in Krishnagiri to support both domestic and international demand.

Delta India’s new headquarters building and R&D center inauguration group photo from left to right: Benjamin Lin, President of Delta India; James Ng, Chairman of Delta Thailand; Sharath Kumar B, Chairman of Karnataka State Electronics Dev. Corp; Baushuan Ger, Representative, Taipei Economic & Cultural Center in India; Ping Cheng, Delta’s Chairman & CEO; Mark Ko, Delta’s Vice-Chairman.

However, Ben candidly acknowledged that the challenges of operating in India involve significantly greater price competition pressure than in other markets. In response to these challenges, Ben introduced products that are more aligned with market demands through localized design and cost optimization strategies. "Our short-term goal is to enable India to achieve self-sufficient manufacturing capabilities. In the medium to long term, we aim to expand the scale of our research and development centers, cultivating a comprehensive advantage from research and development to manufacturing, in order to serve global customers. ''

To achieve the goal of serving global markets, Ben believes that the supply chain is a critical factor. Delta India guides partners to establish a presence through the international supply chain, enhancing the competitiveness of local supply chains and products. Drawing from past experience, Ben shared, "We once collaborated with the EMEA team to manufacture in India and sell to the Middle East and African markets, which received a very positive response." He further elaborated, "We’ve also introduced research and development, as well as production, of electric two- and three-wheeled vehicles. Building on our past successes in electric vehicles, we aim to establish India as a hub for the development and manufacturing of these vehicles, subsequently selling these products overseas, thereby positioning India as one of Delta’s global innovation and production centers.” He expects the team to not only "manufacture for the Indian market" but also to "research and develop for the global market," evolving from "India for India" to "India for Global."

Leveraging human capital to build a tailored talent development model
To implement the strategy of manufacturing and global services, "talent" is one of the core elements for long-term development. India has a population of over 1.4 billion, with more than 65% of the population under the age of 35. The average age is only 27 to 28 years, making it a country with significant potential for demographic dividends. Ben pointed out that India’s labor force grows by tens of millions each year, which not only boosts productivity but also stimulates consumption, serving as a crucial foundation for the rapid growth of the Indian economy.

However, while India has a large and youthful workforce, it also faces the challenge of a disconnect between education and industry needs. "Each year, approximately 1.5 million engineers graduate, and the IT industry is experiencing particularly strong growth. For instance, IBM has a software development center in India with 340,000 employees. " Ben further explained that although there was an abundance of IT talent, the supply of talent in the manufacturing sector is significantly insufficient due to issues such as uneven education quality and a substantial gap between skills and industry demands.

To address this talent gap, Ben pointed out that Delta has developed a talent cultivation model that aligns with its needs through international industry-academia collaboration programs. As an example, he cited Delta’s partnership with SASTRA University in India and Yuan Ze University in Taiwan. After completing part of their coursework, Indian master's students will study for one year at Yuan Ze University in Taiwan, followed by an internship at Delta, and ultimately return to India for employment. "This type of two-way learning can strengthen the technological skill gap in India and allow students to become familiar with Delta's culture early on. Whether in research and development or manufacturing, they will be able to adapt quickly. ''
President of Delta India, Benjamin Lin (3rd from the left), Delta's Global Chief Human Resources Officer, Charles Chen (2nd from the left),  and President of Yuan Ze University, Ching-Jong Liao (4th from the left), with the president and students of SASTRA University.

Deepening local engagement to strengthen brand influence
As Delta transforms into a solutions provider, India is actively planning local brand promotion and management. When speaking about brand development, Ben directly stated, "Promoting brand communication locally is a key factor for the growth of local business. " He emphasized that building the Delta brand in India goes beyond customer relationships—it also played a critical role in attracting talent and shaping corporate reputation.

Ben highlighted the long-standing collaboration with the Brand Management Department at ELECRAMA, India’s most prominent industrial exhibition. "We work closely with BCD, from booth design and advertising promotion to media communication, helping us establish a professional image in areas such as smart manufacturing, data centers, and energy management in India, which greatly aids in business promotion. ''

Executive Vice President of Global Business Operations, Jimmy Yiin(second from left); President of Delta India, Benjamin Lin(second from right), and Managing Director of Delta India, Niranjan Nayak (right) at the ELECRAMA booth.

In addition to exhibitions, Delta’s brand communication efforts have extended into public spaces. Recently, Delta India secured naming rights for Bommasandra Metro Station, located near its new headquarters in Bengaluru. "This is a truly meaningful milestone that not only holds geographical significance but also enhances brand awareness. We thank the management team for their support." Ben stated that the naming rights for the metro station enhance brand exposure beyond the industry circle, and further contribute to increasing local talent's awareness of the company, further amplifying Delta’s brand impact in the region.

Delta India has secured the naming rights for Bommasandra Metro Station, located near its new headquarters in Bengaluru.

Driving change through understanding, connecting people through inclusion
Reflecting on his 15-year journey with Delta, Ben expressed deep gratitude for the company's trust and empowerment, which allowed him to lead the team in an open and innovative manner. "We didn’t just transplant systems; we brought Delta’s core values to India, " he said. Transitioning from Chief Human Resources Officer in China to President of Delta India, Ben has always placed people at the center. With a chuckle, he recalled that upon arriving in India, most of his time each day was spent chatting with people. By listening to colleagues and understanding their needs, and by personally taking part in local festivals and religious activities, he immersed himself in the culture and built genuine connections with the people and the land.

"I believe that true change occurs gradually, day by day. " Ben shared that he places particular emphasis on the connection between systems and culture, stating that the key to long-term transformation lies in the shift from behavioral change to a change in mindset. In early 2024, Delta India held its first-ever "Alignment Workshop," a two-day event that brought together colleagues from various departments to co-create shared goals. The final slogan, The outcome was a unifying slogan: “One Delta, 25 in 25”—a commitment to achieving 25% revenue growth by 2025. This goal represented not only a numerical target but also symbolizes the team's grassroots cohesion and participation. “That slogan didn’t come from me—it was something the whole team created together. " Ben emphasized that cultural change cannot be forcibly imposed. It has to come from the heart, from the team’s own initiative. "Make it matter, make it happen. Not just getting things done, but making them meaningful and driving them to be even better. ''

After more than three years of local operations, Ben continues to build bridges of trust through respect and understanding. With an inclusive mindset and a practical, hands-on approach, he fosters cultural integration in the everyday operations of the business, gradually laying a foundation for Delta India that combines local resilience with global perspective. In the wave of global transformation, it is this balanced focus on people, technology, and strategy that drives Delta’s ongoing innovation in every market it serves.

Delta India – Mission Mode 2025: Leaders unite for the ‘25-in-25’ growth mission, reflecting shared ambition and the One Delta spirit. Aligned, committed, and ready to make it matter—make it happen

LOAD MORE