Ravi Sane, India Head – DIJET Industrial Co Ltd
Die Mould India is around the corner. What do you have to say about this much awaited trade show?
I truly believe that TAGMA (Tool & Gauge Manufacturers Association, India) is doing an excellent work to uplift the Indian die mould industry. Die Mould India is the only event that focuses on die mould technology, so it makes it very special for the industry professionals. The event brings like minded people under one roof, showcases the latest in machine tool industry and also helps us understand the customer’s demands.
What is DIJET showcasing at the DMI?
DIJET will be highlighting our new PVD coated grades “JC8118” & DH 102, JC7650 etc for SKS extreme, wild radios, QM Mill, Q-Max, Hepta & HDM cutter . Apart from this, we will showcase tools that can enhance the overall productivity of the customer, provide high speed and high feed rate.
What are your views on the Indian Die Mould Industry?
Die Mould industry is the back bone of manufacturing sector. Recently, we have noticed that the Indian manufacturing industry is gradually moving towards the positive direction. The effect of this positive sentiment can also be seen on the die mould industry. Many companies in India are expanding their capacity and producing high-end solutions. This is a very good opportunity for tooling companies as well, as the Indian die mould manufacturers look for high-end technology, companies like DIJET are hopeful to witness good times ahead.
Indian die mould companies are facing tough competition from Thailand and Indonesia, as more than 50% die mould are imported in India. Is it a challenge for you as well?
Yes, there is lot of competition, but the scenario is changing gradually. As the Indian companies have realised the advantage of using the latest technology, they are now capable of producing high quality die mould and getting good business. This is a good sign for us. Also due to deliveries and machine utilization concerns customers are interested in using good quality tools so they can go for High feed and speed machining procedures to achieve productivity.
How has the cutting tool technology evolved over the years?
Tech up-gradation is the only way forward and a must to survive looking at the tough competition. Companies are investing a lot to come up with unique solutions and as the technology is changing rapidly, it has witnessed changes in geometry, materials, cutter body, cutter angle, etc. Now there are talks about the smart cutting tool solutions and we are going to see them coming in big way.
India is home to several cutting tool solution providers, but in the recent times companies from China, Taiwan have also become aggressive. Is it a threat for companies like DIJET?
When it comes to China and Taiwan, it is mostly about the cost factor whereas we talk about the technology. This shows our focus, I am not denying the fact that they do not pose any challenge to us, but we are confident that customers will eventually opt for the right technology.
If you see the production cost of cutting tool in any company it is approximately 3-5% of the overall production, but that minor investment can have a huge impact on a business. Customers know this and are now looking for companies who can provide them the right solution as per their requirement, in order to enhance their productivity.
Which has been the sunrise sector for you and what are the other sectors that see generating good demand in the future?
Automotive contributes most to our business followed by the die mould industry, general engineering and power generation sector. As global players are setting up their base in India and Indian conglomerates venturing into the aerospace domain, I see good demand coming from there in the near future.
How does the size of a company affect the demand of the solutions?
The requirement is very different, small companies or SMEs mainly focus on the cost effective solutions, whereas the big ones demand the latest technologies. We cater to both type of customers.
What are your views on the Make in India campaign?
The Make in India campaign started by our Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi looks very promising and I see a positive trend in the Indian manufacturing industry.
As we discussed above, huge number of die mould are imported in India. The Make in India campaign will help us get those business back.
What are your future plans in India?
We plan to acquire more customers and venture into other sectors as well. In the coming years we will also expand our offices to more cities thus providing our customer better after sales service.
