Automation Without Risk? Eaton Shares the Strategy
At Automation Expo 2026 in Mumbai, Eaton highlighted how automation, cybersecurity and electrical safety must work together to enable the next generation of industrial operations. In an exclusive interaction with mojo4industry, Mike Trikoilis, Vice President & General Manager – EMEA, Eaton, and Philipose Jacob, Country Director, Global Energy Infrastructure Solutions (GEIS), Eaton India, shared the company’s growth strategy, localization initiatives and latest innovations for hazardous industrial environments.
Q: How do you see Automation Expo 2026, and what role does India play in Eaton’s global strategy?
Mike Trikoilis: Automation Expo is an outstanding platform that showcases India’s growing capabilities in industrial automation. India is one of the fastest-growing markets, supported by strong infrastructure investments and government initiatives such as “Make in India”. Eaton is investing significantly in localizing global product lines and expanding manufacturing capabilities in India to better serve domestic customers while strengthening our global supply chain.
Q: Eaton’s Crouse-Hinds business serves niche industries. How is the business expanding in India?
Mike Trikoilis: While we operate in specialized sectors, India presents tremendous opportunities across oil & gas, pharmaceuticals, industrial manufacturing and data centers. Beyond manufacturing, India is also a major engineering hub for Eaton, with more than 2,000 engineers supporting global product development and innovation. The country’s technical talent and scale make it a strategic growth market for us.
Q: What message would you like to share with your Team and customers in India?
Mike Trikoilis: To our team, I would say – continue putting customers first, keep innovating and execute for growth. They have done an outstanding job. To our customers, Eaton remains committed to delivering reliable, high-quality solutions that support digitalization, AI adoption and industrial growth while maintaining the highest standards of customer service.
Q: Philipose, what are the key highlights at the Eaton booth this year?
Philipose Jacob: One of our major showcases is our latest range of explosion-proof CCTV cameras with advanced built-in cybersecurity features. Developed through collaboration between our India and Korea R&D teams, these cameras are designed to protect critical infrastructure such as oil & gas facilities, nuclear plants and data centers from cyber threats while complying with India’s STQC cybersecurity guidelines. This is one of the flagship innovations we are presenting at Automation Expo.
Q: Can factories truly become smart without making safety a core part of automation?
Philipose Jacob: Absolutely not. Safety is the foundation of every solution we develop. In hazardous industries, even a minor electrical fault can lead to serious consequences. Our products are designed to eliminate ignition risks, ensure reliable operation and protect both people and assets. Alongside product safety, Eaton places equal emphasis on safe manufacturing practices through a strong Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) culture.
Q: What are the biggest safety challenges industries still need to address?
Philipose Jacob: Everything begins with quality. At Eaton, our philosophy is ‘I Own Quality.’ Quality and safety are not processes – they are mindsets embedded throughout the organization. When every employee takes ownership of safety and quality, organizations build a culture that minimizes risks and protects lives. Ultimately, everyone comes to work expecting to return home safely, and that principle drives every decision we make.
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🎥 Watch the full interview here: https://youtu.be/0tAZUMKL6g0
