2013 Indian Machine Tool Industry Round Up
Economic slowdown, drop in sales/ order numbers and the sluggish manufacturing sector took a toll on the machine tools industry in India in 2013. As we bid adieu to the year, here’s some of the major happenings that the industry witnessed in 2013.
Premier Outstanding Entrepreneur Award For Jadeja
In order to recognise the contribution to the industry, every year, IMTMA honours its stalwarts with prestigious awards. Parakramsinh Jadeja, CEO, Jyoti CNC Automation Pvt Ltd, won the Premier Outstanding Entrepreneur Award in memory of Vinod Doshi in 2013. Also, SN Mishra, Vice Chairman, Bharat Fritz Werner Ltd, won the IMTMA-BFW Lifetime Contribution Award in memory of HR Gupta.
Starrag Inaugurated Its First Manufacturing Plant
Starrag India Pvt Ltd, a whole-time subsidiary of the Swiss-based Starrag Group Holding AG, was the first company to launch its machining centre manufacturing plant in KIADB Aerospace Park, Devanahalli. The Greenfield factory at Bangalore was inaugurated on January 25. The company announced, the factory will roll-out four popular size models of WMW horizontal machining centres from July 2013 to December 2014. A cost reduction programme through the local supply chain was also planned in its advanced stages.
DMG MORI/SEIKI Expanded Its Reach In India
Understanding the cost-effective psyche of Indian customers, DMG MORI/SEIKI launched its new Ecoline series, which combines high quality and cost effectiveness in the same machine. Dr Jens Hardenacke, CEO Asia, DMG (Asia) Holding, said in a company statement, “Understanding the domestic psyche is very important; hence, along with the Ecoline series, we are also selling used DMG MORI/SEIKI machines that will ensure similar quality at a lesser cost.”
The company will be showcasing nine machines during IMTEX this year, and as part of the global expansion, the company will be launching 27 machines worldwide along with two new manufacturing facilities in Russia and China. As part of an interactive initiative, the company is conducting informative seminars on the topics of aerospace, automotive and medical machining. The seminars will be held throughout the event for interested participants at the show.
Marshall Machines Organised ‘Tech Week’
Marshall Automation organised a week long event, ‘Tech Week’, to create awareness about automation and showcase its latest range of ROBOTURN series machines. During this event, the company also demonstrated various in-process automatic measurement technologies. The company also announced the commencement of operation at Marshall Automation during the event.
Körber Schleifring Inaugurated A New Technology Centre
To come closer to the customers and give a first-hand feel of machines, Körber Schleifring opened its new office and technology centre in Bengaluru. The centre was inaugurated by L Krishnan, Managing Director, Taegu Tec India Pvt Ltd, along with Rolf Frei, Consul General, Switzerland. “With this new tech centre, we want to mark a whole new era in India. We have a strategic plan to grow in all the markets worldwide and hence we had to position ourselves in India in the right way,” Christian Dilger, Managing Director, Walter and EWAG said in a company statement.
The technology centre is equipped with six precision machines from three of their brands, namely, Studer, Walter and Ewag.
INDO-MIM Won Pratt & Whitney MCL approval
Bengaluru based Indo-MIM won approvals from Pratt & Whitney America’s Materials Control Laboratory (MCL) to perform non-destructive testing and chromic acid anodising. The approvals came after extensive auditing of Indo-MIM by Pratt & Whitney America, and are the first such approvals granted within India. Founded in 1997, Indo-MIM is the world leader in metal injection moulding. The aerospace products group division in India was started in 2010 to provide an end-to-end solution of machining and special process for India’s growing aerospace sector.
CERATIZIT Started Manufacturing Plant
CERATIZIT expanded its presence in the Asian cutting tool market with the establishment of a new production unit in the industrial area of Uluberia in West Bengal, India. CERATIZIT India, a significant player in the Indian market, has already been manufacturing hard metal products in Bengal for 17 years.
Seco Tools Looked At Strengthening Its Operations In India
Seco Tools India Pvt Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Seco Tools AB, Sweden—a leading manufacturer of high-performance metal cutting tools, acquired around 25,000 sqmt of land to add to its production capacities adjoining its existing production facility at Nagar Road, Pune.
Sandvik Announced India As Its Specialised Centre Of Excellence By 2016
Sandvik announced the acquisition of 50 acres of land for Sandvik Asia Pvt Ltd and has projected significant investments, including R&D, by 2016. Sandvik continues to successfully add new products to its portfolio for Sandvik Mining, Sandvik Machining Solutions, Sandvik Materials Technology and Sandvik Construction.
Dürr Ecoclean Inaugurated Technology Centre In Pune
Parts cleaning technology leader Dürr Ecoclean inaugurated its new technology centre in Pune, a 6,000-sqft facility equipped with the latest technology. It houses machines for aqueous as well as hydrocarbon industrial parts cleaning. The investment offers customers the opportunity to locally conduct cleaning trials and laboratory tests in order to choose the suitable cleaning process for their requirements. Located at Nagar Road, the new Dürr Ecoclean technology centre gives customers the option to locally run cleaning trials in a variety of Dürr manufactured part washers using different cleaning technologies.
nishant@mfgtechupdate.com
