IMTEX 2015 ends on a high note, focus on auto

The seven-day international machine tool expo IMTEX 2015 and the concurrent show Tooltech 2015 held in Bangalore from January 22-28 created a buzz in the Indian automotive industry as it showcased several latest machines for the automotive industry.

According to the organisers, a good number of the business visitors were from the auto industry as it accounts for more than 50 percent of the total machine tool business in India. A cross-section of participants told Autocar Professional that the expected revival in the auto industry this year will boost the machine tool sector too.

The 17th edition of the show, organised by The Indian Machine Tool Manufacturers’ Association (IMTMA) at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC), witnessed the turnout of thousands of  professionals from the domestic and overseas markets.

IMTEX 2015 showcased an exhaustive range of innovations and technological refinements in the complete product segment of metal-cutting machine tool while Tooltech 2015 featured the newest trends in cutting tools and tooling systems from all across globe.

According to Jamshyd N Godrej, chairman, Exhibitions, IMTMA, “IMTEX has always been a pioneer when it comes to showcasing the latest technologies and solutions from the global manufacturing industry. This year as well, some of the emerging trends in five-axis machines, multi-task machines, new gear cutting tools, force-controlled Robots and many more were attractions in the expo.”

L Krishnan, president, IMTMA, said the expo is a great enabler of ‘Make in India’ programme as it showcases technological developments and innovations. “IMTEX is the crucial exhibition to propel Indian manufacturing towards productivity and quality and to make Indian manufactured products globally acceptable,” he said.

G M Siddeshwara, Union minister of state for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, said: “The Karnataka state government works closely with IMTMA and other bodies to enable growth and provide a positive environment for the machine tool sector. In this regard we are dedicating Rs 124 crore for the upcoming Machine Tools Park in Karnataka.”

Talking to Autocar Professional, Deepak Paul, national sales manager, dry-tech bearings, Igus (India), said the manufacturing sector in general and the automotive industry in particular are expected to witness revival this year following the Union government’s focused approach to growth.

The Germany-based Igus, which manufactures a varied range of polymer bearings for the auto industry and polymer cable chains for the manufacturing sector, showcased its latest products including many cable chains used in machines installed at OEM and Tier 1 factories.

Meanwhile, R S Hegdekatte, vice-president - Business Unit South, Jenoptik India, said 90 percent of its business comes from the automotive industry. The company has been supplying its measuring machines used for dimensional and geometrical parameter measuring in the manufacturing plants of OEMs. Its customers in India include Bosch, Delphi TVS, Tata Motors, Renault Nissan, Mahindra & Mahindra, Ashok Leyland, Hyundai and Honda.

While most foreign machine tool makers tried to close big deals at the expo, Indian machine tool manufacturers used the event to highlight their emerging importance in the sector on the back of their cost-effective solutions and faster service. 

R Sekar, general manager – production of the Coimbatore-based Gedee Weiler, manufacturer of turning machines, said Indian machine tool makers are giving stiff competition to European rivals. What’s more, he added, domestic players have started preferring local machine tool solution providers as are maintaining very high precision and quality matching global standards along with better and faster service.

The company had showcased its cost-effective turning machine for bearing manufacturers. Sekar said the company has machines in the range of 25mm to 250mm and has supplied them to many companies including TVS Motor Co, Bajaj Auto and Lucas-TVS.

K V Natesh, proprietor of the Bangalore-based machine tool spindle manufacturer SRS Technologies said many Tier 1 and Tier 2 component makers in India have started preferring locally manufactured tools. The company’s products are being used by auto component makers like FCI OEN Connectors, Craftsman Automation and Steer Engineering. He said the company, which recorded a Rs 10 lakh revenue when it started operations eight years ago, now posts a Rs 3 crore revenue per annum and has targeted Rs

5 crore in the next three years. “This is the first time we have participated in IMTEX and the response is good. We will participate in the next IMTEXs too,” he added.

Chennai-based Insight Engineering manufactures customised automatic surface treatment plants. Its machines are used for cleaning, electroplating and coating for metal and non-metal while its 80 percent of products are being supplied to the automobile segment. According to Rajendra Savanur, business development manager of Insight Engineering, the company has so far supplied 500 machines. Its auto segment customers include TVS Motor Co, Ashok Leyland, Bosch, Federal Mogul, Rane and TAFE. He said this was the second time the company participated at IMTEX edition and the response has been good following the green shoots of revival in the auto industry.

The exhibition featured over 900 exhibitors from 24 countries and various industrial sectors including automotive. It also witnessed a live display of over 1,000 machines, eight group participations from China, Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Taiwan and USA while international visitors from

50 countries besides Indian visitors from 26 states and 40,000 decision makers turned the expo to be successful one. An estimated footfall of more than 100,000 visitors was recorded at the show.