Selec Controls is known for its unique make-in-India vision, futuristic products and quality that redefines excellence.

Selec Controls Pvt Ltd is a prominent Indian company specializing in Electrical measurements & protection and Process automation & control. With its subsidiaries in Germany, USA, and Australia, it has a global market presence in over 75 countries.

The company has a manufacturing facility in India, which spans over 100,000 sq. ft. and produces more than 3 million products annually. Selec Controls is renowned for its innovative and high-quality products, which embody its commitment to excellence and its ‘Make in India’ vision. Selec Controls India has a strong network of over 200 distributors. We have supplied our products to all types of industries and TOP names in India including BARC, RDSO, IOCL, HAL, BHEL, AAI, SAIL, etc.

Major product range
The electrical measurements and protection category comprises different products, including meters, CTs (current transformers), protection relays, and automatic power factor controllers. Process automation and control the division has Time switches, Timers, Temperature controller, HMI, PLCs, VFDs, Process indicators, Counters and SMPS.

Among the company’s power quality solutions are advanced products such as static voltage regulators, static var generators, and solar on-grid tie inverters. Additionally, the company offers solar hybrid grid-tie inverters to meet the demands of customers seeking sustainable energy solutions.

With a workforce of over 700 employees in India and knowledgeable sales engineers throughout the country, Selec Controls is dedicated to helping customers find the products that best fit their specific technical requirements.

The company employs skilled application and consultant engineers who can assist with customized energy management software and process control solutions. Furthermore, Selec Controls provides strong on-site support and after-sales service through its extensive service network throughout the country.

All the manufactured products of the company are type tested as per the latest IS / IECs and international standards in independent laboratories like CPRI /ERDA in India and international laboratories. To ensure design validation, Selec Controls operates its own testing facilities in India, where periodic and regular testing is conducted.

For more info visit: www.selec.com

Prostarm’s smart, reliable and energy-efficient power electronics solutions are empowering the digital transformation journey across industries.

PROSTARM has emerged as a single-point provider of power solutions in the power electronics segment. It brings clean, efficient, reliable, and affordable power storage solutions across businesses of every size and sector. They are a trendsetter in the growing segment of power electronics. Armed with a proficient and strong team of 500 plus engineers nationwide, we have done 1,00,000 plus UPS /Stabilizer /Solar installations in the range of 1 kVA to 320 kVA across various industries and served 500 plus large enterprise-level customers. Having a wealth of expertise and experience spanning over 15 years, Prostarm provides innovative power solutions for smart and critical projects. Recently, it was recognized as among the Top 10 UPS & inverter manufacturers in India.

Prostram have a comprehensive range of power electronic products which includes Industrial UPS, Servo SCVS (air-cooled & oil cooled) 1-500 kVA, Solar Power Inverters, Turnkey Rooftop Solar Systems, Innovative Power Solutions for smart projects (including smart city, data centers, airports, etc.), Lift Inverters, Lithium-Ion Power Solutions and RDSO approved products. To meet the surging market demand, Prostarm houses 3 factories in India, 2 in Pune and 1 in Mumbai. It rehabbed its manufacturing facility into a leading-edge production unit of approx. 51,000 Sq. ft., adequately equipped and suitably structured to roll out state-of-the-art products of global standard.

Solutions offered to safeguard critical and costly equipped and devices from damage
UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) is a device that provides battery backup when the electrical power fails or drops to an unacceptable voltage level. It protects the devices from critical loads from utility-supplied power problems, such as fluctuations and power outages, brownouts, spikes, etc.

Prostram’s UPS Systems comprise Line Interactive UPS (1- 5kVA), Online Active PFC UPS (1-120 kVA), Online UPS with Inbuilt IT (5- 120 kVA), Online UPS with IGBT Rectifier (80-500 kVA), Industrial UPS (10-800 kVA), Modular UPS (25-500 kVA), UPS for Outdoor applications (1-20kVA), and so on. It also offer Servo-controlled voltage stabilizers (both air & oil cooled) 1-500 kVA. Further, as a step forward the company has been striving to build in and focus on green energy including Energy Storage Systems (ESS). Under the domain of Green Energy, it is providing Solar Hybrid Inverters and Solar PV Power Plant Solutions. It also undertakes EPC Contracts. The next-generation requirement for an efficient and clean source of power is Lithium. PROSTARM is successfully providing Lithium-Ion based power solutions to critical industry segments.

Helping digital transformation in the country
Regulated, Reliable, uninterrupted and sustainable power is the key to the digital economy. Prostarm’s smart, reliable and energy-efficient power electronics solutions are empowering the digital transformation journey across industries. Its focus has always been to develop innovative and customised solutions to meet the specific needs of Indian industries. By ensuring the last-mile reach for service and support, today, Prostarm is the go-to partner to both traditional as well a new age companies for their transformation into a digital enterprises. Going ahead, it has already built a strong line-up of smart and intelligent solutions that would contribute significantly to drive the mission of a digital India.

Today, Prostarm has a strong presence pan-India across 22 cities, in more than 170 districts with a team of about 500+ employees including 300+ service engineers. This portrays the last mile reach capability and higher customer retention.

Prostarm has ambitious growth plans. It is constantly expanding our workforce and infrastructure to further bolster our market penetration and become a Rs. 500 crore entity by FY 2025.

Manufacturing leaders, technology experts, innovators, and policymakers gather at India Inc on The Move.

Rockwell Automation, the world’s largest company dedicated to industrial automation and digital transformation, concluded the fourth edition of its India Inc On The Move (IIOTM) event in Mumbai. The event brought together senior leaders from the manufacturing industry, technology experts, innovators, and policymakers to discuss, debate and learn how best to put India on track for a sustainable manufacturing future.

More than 1200 people attended the event. Key conversations at this year’s event covered smart manufacturing, India’s potential as a centre of green manufacturing and learnings from World Economic Forum ‘Lighthouse’ sites. There was also a showcase of many of the latest smart manufacturing technology innovations from Rockwell Automation and its partners.

Among the guest speakers was Shri Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister, Road Transport and Highways, who outlined: “Sustainable and climate neutral development is crucial for India to achieve the goal of carbon net zero by 2070. Therefore, it is essential to shift towards sustainable manufacturing practices, which involve designing and manufacturing products using eco-friendly materials, minimising waste, and reducing energy consumption.”

Dilip Sawhney, Managing Director of Rockwell Automation India, said: “The manufacturing world is beginning to understand that sustainability is not just the right thing to do but also the smart thing to do. The prevailing thought process is rapidly transforming from one where sustainability was viewed as competing with profitability to one where it’s now seen as a promising new driver for improved productivity and profitability.”

Rockwell Automation showcased two new hardware and software products “born in India” at the event. Developed and manufactured in India, the Armor Block 5000 I/O blocks are designed to work in extreme environments and simplify smart manufacturing. The FactoryTalk CPG Suite, a Manufacturing Execution System (MES) designed specifically for the Consumer-Packaged Goods industry, was developed in Bangalore for a global market.

Rockwell Automation has actively participated in India’s industrial future for the past four decades. Today, the company is at the forefront of enterprise digitisation and is essential in evangelising the creation of smart manufacturing ecosystems. Rockwell Automation is committed to the success of India; nearly one-third of the company’s global software and control production operations management workforce is based in India. The company focuses on global R&D capacity and smart manufacturing software development to assist local and global customers on their digital transformation journeys.

WIDMA assists OEMs in enhancing their production processes by utilising cutting-edge technologies adhering to the industry’s highest standards in accuracy, reliability, and performance. It is recognised for high-performing machines that deliver on metal removal rates, drilling speeds, and depths, says Mathews John, Sales Manager, WIDMA.

India’s die and mould industry has been experiencing significant and steady growth. Researchandmarkets.com predicts that the Indian market will expand by over $1 billion from 2021 to 2025, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9 per cent. The market is being driven by pent-up demand in the automotive industry and substantial growth in sunrise sectors like healthcare, electronics and electricals, and plastics. Additionally, factors such as aluminium metal injection moulding, automation in die casting, increased construction activities, and the “Make in India” initiative will likely contribute to this growth.

In the automotive market, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) face challenges such as inflation and productivity. The demand for large machines that can handle complex and intricate die and mould requirements is rising, necessitating higher machining accuracy levels.

Kennametal’s machine tool building division, WIDMA™, based in Bengaluru, India, is helping OEMs improve their production processes by providing deep-hole drilling technologies that meet the industry’s accuracy and reliability standards and performance.

WIDMA UGC Series Deep Hole Drilling (DHD) machine
The UGC Series by WIDMA is designed for high-accuracy machining, multi-axis positioning, and deep-hole drilling in a single setup. The UGC Series is versatile and can handle a wide variety of materials and component sizes, and complexities. It can be configured with up to seven axes, including a CNC rotary table and spindle tilting feature, which allows customers to drill complex angles and structures in a single clamping setup. Additionally, the UGC Series can mill, tap, and bore with minimal setup changes, providing customers with the flexibility to optimise machining time and resources. The UGC Series can drill depths up to 2000mm and 40mm in diameter and support up to 30 tons.

At WIDMA, we strive to anticipate our customers’ needs and help them overcome manufacturing challenges. Our teams are dedicated to designing high-performance machines that drive efficiency and productivity while being easy to operate and requiring low maintenance. WIDMA machines feature adaptive machining technology that defines torque values to maintain operating levels and standards for accuracy. Additionally, the UGC Series machines offer linear glass scales and wireless probes.
WIDMA is a leading provider of customised metal-cutting CNC machines with high accuracy and productivity across industries. Established in 1984, WIDMA has diversified into customised, semi-standard, and standard machines for machining requirements, ranging from micro tools to large structural parts for the locomotive and general engineering industries. WIDMA is recognised for high-performing machines that deliver on metal removal rates, drilling speeds, and depths and works with some of the world’s most notable brands.

For more information, please. contact: Mathews John, Sales Manager,
WIDMA -Machining Solutions Group, Kennametal India Limited.

The 1,000-ton servo press for automotive supplier Wöhrle features numerous innovative extras.

A coil width of up to 1,300 mm including zigzag feed, residual strip processing, straightener with exchangeable straightening roll cassettes, and a die changing cart for the press to minimize setup times: The Schuler servo press installed by Wöhrle company at its production site in Krautheim near Heilbronn has it all. This versatile MSD 1000 press with a bed size of 4,000 by 1,800 mm thus provides the flexibility for the automotive supplier to be successful on the market.

“All companies of the automotive industry are currently undergoing a transformation,” says Managing Director Michael Fahrenbach. “Everyone is looking ahead, but no one knows for sure what products will come.” Hence, the more flexible the system, the lower the risk: “The maximum band width of 1,300 mm means we can cover an extremely wide range.” Consequently, there are no typical components for Wöhrle either: the product portfolio ranges from components for transmissions, battery systems, axles, sound and shock absorbers to air conditioning technology and power electronics. The width of the parts starts at 300 millimeters; the longest component developed to date measures 1,900 millimeters.

Parts made of steel, aluminum, stainless steel, and copper
The straightening system, with 17 instead of the standard nine straightening rolls, allows even demanding materials to be prepared in such a way that the final products meet the highest standards concerning geometry and quality. Regardless of the material being steel, aluminum, stainless steel, or copper – the only requirement is that the sheet metal fed in must have a thickness of between 0.5 and 6 mm. The zigzag feed from Schuler ensures high material utilization.

Thanks to a special transfer, even the last two or three meters of a coil, which are normally lost on conventional lines, can be utilized. “Thus, we minimize the scrap content,” explains plant manager Ulrich Reustlen. There was no ready-made solution for such residual strip processing on the market, so Schuler developed it without hesitation together with Wöhrle. “Resources are scarce all over the world,” adds Managing Director Fahrenbach. “By avoiding waste, we are doing a lot for sustainability.”

Sustainability is a top priority
The scrap that is still produced is collected by type in three skips, which facilitates subsequent recycling. The minimum lubrication system, which reduces the amount of oil required for the forming process, also contributes to sustainability – as do the heat pump for air conditioning the newly built plant hall and the photovoltaic system on the roof. In a second and third construction phase, space could also be created for a further system.

But back to the latest new acquisition: Among other things, with the help of the die change carts, the complete plant can be changed over in just half an hour, and the tryout function provides support when setting up new dies. In order to identify possible collisions in advance and optimize part throughput, Wöhrle has also invested in Schuler’s “DigiSim” simulation software and the associated training for operators as well as die designers. Effective sound insulation guarantees pleasant working conditions, even directly at the press.

“Schuler can do that”
By the way, the coil line not only pushes the sheet forward, but can also pull it back a little if necessary. This opens up the possibility of using the press force in the forming process in a more targeted manner and, for example, producing parts that could otherwise only run on a 1,250-ton machine. “It was already clear to us in advance: Schuler can do that,” says plant manager Reustlen. Together with Schuler, Wöhrle developed and integrated the individual features one after the other: “Team spirit was a key to success.”

Both sides always supported each other with “passion and bite,” as Managing Director Fahrenbach puts it. The result, according to Reustlen: ” Everything we asked for was met.” All components are perfectly matched, he says, and the control cabinets are mounted above the conveyor system to save space: “It’s a system as if made from a single piece.” 

ABB India expands its production footprint with a new line for variable speed drive modules at the Peenya factory in Bengaluru.

The new line will produce drives ranging from 75 kW to up to 250 kW and will cater to all major industrial segments. ABB’s variable speed drives are used to control the speed of electric motors to match the actual demands of the process to improve energy efficiency and performance in any industrial application or any building globally. When added to the existing motor of a pump, fan or compressor, a drive can typically reduce power consumption by up to 25%.

Part of the integrated campus that houses ABB’s corporate office and other business’ factories, this new production line aims to meet the growing demand of domestic and global customers. With local manufacturing, now customers in India will get faster access to the products, their customization options, and quick serviceability. The expansion will also strengthen the local supplier eco-system for ABB low voltage AC drives portfolio.

A.R. Madhusudan, President, Drive Products, ABB India. said, “This expansion demonstrates our commitment to innovation, delivering world-class sustainable products and solutions for the Indian market as well as to enriching the local supplier base. At a time when India is globally playing a leading role in clean energy, drive products represent leading technology of energy efficiency, termed as the first fuel of clean energy transitions. ABB drives manufactured in India will contribute to country’s energy efficiency journey and its goals across industries, buildings, and infrastructure,” he added.

Variable speed drive supports critical national infrastructure projects such as ventilation for Atal tunnel and COVID-19 vaccination manufacturing for pharma units. ABB drives are part of the HVAC solutions that have been installed for the prestigious Statue of Unity project. The hospitality industry across the country also deploys ABB drives to optimize the energy consumption.

Vesa Kandell, Global Head of Operations, Drive Products, ABB said, “As a result of systematic development activities, I am happy to be witnessing this great opening ceremony with the customers and key suppliers. Team has done an excellent job and we are ready to take even further growth steps together.” .

The new line of production is ergonomically designed with position, angle and torque control and a programmable fastening system. This facility is designed for effective utilization of available space for better productivity and enhanced safety and is equipped with expanded precision testing facility. The expanded facility also employs skilled technicians/ engineers, which includes over 50% women workforce on the production line.

Despite of the great energy-saving and performance-improving potential, currently only about 23% of the world’s motors are paired with a drive. Hence, this factory will play a key role in enabling businesses and industries at large to adopt energy-efficient technologies and help achieve carbon-neutrality.

The global Automotive Artificial Intelligence market was valued at USD 2916 Million in 2022 and is anticipated to reach USD 3607.5 Million by 2029, witnessing a CAGR of 3.6% during the forecast period 2023-2029.

Major Factors Driving the Growth of Automotive Artificial Intelligence Market:

The use of AI in the automotive sector heralds a new age by enabling businesses to monitor operations, boost digital results, and produce autonomous and semi-autonomous cars. The growing need for autonomous vehicles, the use of AI in traffic management, cutting-edge automotive technologies, and government efforts are the main drivers of the worldwide automotive AI market.

TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF AUTOMOTIVE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE MARKET:

The frequency of traffic accidents may be decreased and road safety can be increased with the support of growing government programs for car and road safety, automotive technology, telematics, and artificial intelligence. For instance, gathering information on the number of cars on the road and the state of the roads. A mobile network and quick data transmission methods may also be available for real-time weather information and notifications. The Automotive Artificial Intelligence market is eventually accelerated by government efforts to reduce accidents and other similar endeavors.

The temperature, mirrors, and pulse rate may all be changed automatically when one of the car’s frequent users sits in the driver’s seat thanks to AI software in cars. While eye openness and head position enable the program to detect sleepiness and awaken the driver, even during an accident, AI software can assess the upper body position and deploy the airbags accordingly. Gesture recognition has evolved into a valuable tool for controlling infotainment while driving. This factor is expected to drive the growth of the Automotive Artificial Intelligence market.

AI can help drivers make better-navigating judgments by analyzing various road conditions. Modern AI-powered navigation systems, for instance, can suggest better routes based on data about nearby road closures, collisions, traffic jams, construction sites, and road conditions.

Modern AI automakers often utilize digital twins in their production plants to speed up the design process by testing the implications of various design decisions on the performance of the car. Engineers and designers may discover how their thoughts translate into vehicle performance by providing machine learning algorithms with historical and sensor data. Additionally, this technology aids in lowering the cost of prototyping-related testing. This factor is expected to drive the growth of the Automotive Artificial Intelligence market.

Following collisions, drivers can use the cameras on their smartphones to take pictures of their damaged cars, which AI and computer vision-based systems can use to analyze the damage. This expedites the review process and increases its objectivity. While some industry participants rely on third-party personal assistants like Alexa and Siri, some auto manufacturers have chosen to create their own cutting-edge voice-recognition software. These assistants have the ability to make calls, switch radio stations, inform the driver how much petrol is left in the tank, and adjust the temperature. These tools are also highly personalized, which is important since they might remember drivers’ preferences and make modifications based on the circumstance and prior user behavior. This factor is expected to drive the growth of the Automotive Artificial Intelligence market.

AUTOMOTIVE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE MARKET SHARE

NVIDIA, Uber Technologies, Alphabet (Google), and other major international producers of automotive artificial intelligence (AI) are examples. The Top 3 businesses own a share of more than 40%.

The largest market is North America, with a market share of around 36%, followed by Europe and China, with respective market shares of about 35% and 26%.

View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com

igus supports Plastic Fischer’s initiative and finances plastic waste collection in Indian rivers.

Every year, millions of tons of plastic end up in the oceans. More than 1,000 rivers wash most plastic from land into the sea. Organisations like Plastic Fischer are trying to counteract this pollution. Since 2021, the non-profit company has collected and processed plastic waste from rivers in India and Indonesia. The river-cleaning initiative is supported by companies such as igus GmbH in Cologne, which is financing the collection of 10,000 kilograms of plastic waste altogether.

Plastic Fischer collects plastic waste from rivers before it can reach the oceans to combat marine pollution and protect marine biodiversity. According to Plastic Fischer, its approach is up to 300 times more cost-effective than fishing plastic from the sea. To support this project, igus is financing the collection of 10,000 kilogrammes of plastic waste altogether. In January 2023, 3,340 kilograms were collected and processed in Kanpur and Mangaluru (India). That’s the equivalent of more than 150,000 plastic bags. The financial support gave at least 34 people a regular income. On some days, additional people helped out. Since the initiative started, Plastic Fischer has collected over 520 tons of plastic waste in India and Indonesia. Another project in Vietnam is already being planned. Empower AS verifies the work to provide transparency and ensure that no kilogramme is counted twice.

The triple-L approach: local, low-tech, low-cost
How does collecting plastic waste work? Plastic Fischer has developed its own “TrashBooms” for this purpose, built from locally available materials. “TrashBoom” is a modular system for constructing a floating barrier. It consists of a robust steel frame, tubes as a float and a galvanised grid that stops plastic waste. The on-site team brings the “TrashBoom” to the selected river, anchors the system, launches it and empties it daily. This concept represents Plastic Fischer’s efforts to pursue the triple-L approach – local, low-tech and low-cost solutions. Avoiding high-tech imports saves carbon, time and money and ensures quick repair and high scalability. Full-time jobs are also created locally, which promotes the local economy.

New paths to the circular economy
After the waste is collected, it is sorted. Non-organic material, such as plastic and aluminium, is brought to the drying area and then compressed with a manual or hydraulic press to save space and ensure efficient transport to the next destination. All recyclable materials are fed back into the supply chain. However, the majority of the collected plastic waste is classified as non-recyclable. Instead of being buried in landfills, it is sent for thermal recycling, where it is burned and used as an energy source. Plastic Fischer is looking for alternative solutions and working with local start-ups to increase the collected plastic’s recyclability. igus, based in Cologne, has also set itself the goal of promoting the circular economy for plastics. To this end, the plastics specialist develops products from re-granulated product waste and 100% recycled material. igus has even launched its recycling initiative for technical plastics, “Change”, including an online platform. Furthermore, the company supports innovative approaches such as the HydroPRS technology of Mura Technology, a British start-up. This new technology converts plastic waste back into crude oil in 30 minutes – using only high temperature, water and pressure

One of its initiatives is to support the National Skill Training Institute (NSTI), Kolkata, in developing advanced woodworking courses. It donates machines to provide an ecosystem of practical knowledge & experience for students.

Biesse, a pioneer in designing and manufacturing machines, takes initiatives to support skill development in the manufacturing sector. In line with this commitment, Biesse has donated a Rover Gold 1232 CNC Machine & CAD/CAM software for advanced training to Hettich Poddar Woodworking Institute (HPWWi), Faridabad.

One of its initiatives is to support the National Skill Training Institute (NSTI), Kolkata, in developing advanced woodworking courses. Furthermore, Biesse also provides training programmes for professionals and students in various educational institutes, such as the Advanced Woodworking Training Centre (AWTC) in Bangalore. The company is also involved in a Train the Trainer (ToT) initiative in AWTC/ IWST for various ITIs across India. Additionally, Biesse is committed to supporting AWTC/ IWST in training technicians and carpenters from Naval DockYard, MEG, IAF, and PSU’s.

The company believes that skill building is an essential part of any industry’s growth and development and is committed to supporting initiatives promoting this. Through these initiatives, Biesse aims to equip learners with the necessary skills to excel in the manufacturing industry, contributing to the growth of the skilling ecosystem in India.

Sayeed Ahmed, CEO of Biesse India says, “India is the 5th largest manufacturer in the world and accounts for roughly 3 percent of global manufacturing output. However, there is a clear shortage of talent and abilities, with approximately 90 percent of the workforce in the furniture industry being unemployed. To meet this demand, we as an industry leader are committed to investing in education and skill building to ramp up growth and development in the industry.”

The Association For Manufacturing Technology (AMT), which represents U.S.-based providers of manufacturing technology, has elected its 2023-2024 directors and members for the AMT board of directors. The 2023-2024 board year was began on May 1, 2023.

Newly elected Chairman Daniel D. Janka, president of Mazak Corp said, “I’m honored to have the opportunity to support and serve such a fantastic organization as AMT. Manufacturers face many challenges today, including disrupted supply chains, a shortage of skilled labor, high inflation, and high interest rates, but with any challenge, there comes opportunity, and AMT is there to support its members. In addition to promoting reshoring, MTConnect, and innovative technological advancements such as additive manufacturing and automation, AMT continues to provide its members with outstanding resources.”

The U.S. manufacturing industry provided record-breaking job numbers in 2022 and economic growth for millions of people. The rapidly evolving manufacturing technology sector includes the advanced machinery, devices, and digital equipment that U.S. manufacturing relies on to be productive, innovative, and competitive.

Douglas K. Woods, president of AMT said, “I am pleased to announce our new board leadership and the election of Dan Janka to chairman of the board. This is an exciting time for AMT because we are experiencing a manufacturing resurgence thanks to new transformative technologies and the return of the manufacturing value-stream to the United States. Manufacturing continues to create high-value jobs and develop core products and services that dynamically drive the U.S. economy. I look forward to working with Dan and the board as we continue to position our industry to grow and thrive in the global manufacturing marketplace.”

In addition to Janka, Michael Cicco, president and CEO of FANUC America Corp., has been elected to serve as first vice chairman; Gregory Volovic, president and CEO of Hurco Cos. Inc., has been elected to serve as secretary; and Gregory L. Buck, president, Productivity Inc., will serve as treasurer.

Newly elected to the AMT board in the 2023-2024 term are Melanie Lang, co-founder and CEO, FormAlloy, and Rajas Sukthankar, vice president of motion control, Siemens.

Paul Ricard, founder and president, Machining Cloud, and Christopher A. Bailey, retired president and chief operating officer, Air Quality Group LLC., will serve ex-officio.

Also serving on the AMT board in the 2023-2024 term are Blake Consdorf, president and CEO of Bourn & Koch Inc.; William R. Eichele, president of The Motch and Eichele Co. LLC.; Glynn Fletcher, president of EOS North America; and Chip Storie, retired group executive, Camozzi Machine Tools.

Group-owned tech supplier is responsible for the core technologies battery, charging and e-components and already contributes around 40 percent of value added to vehicles based on the MEB.

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation announced that it has decided to drastically restructure its automotive-equipment business in accordance with a resolution adopted at the company’s Executive Officers’ Meeting.

The restructure is designed to streamline decision-making in the business and accelerate the transformation of the company’s automotive-equipment business in the face of rapid changes in this industry, including the shift to connected, autonomous,  shared & service, and electric (CASE). Under the plan, Mitsubishi Electric now aims to spin off its automotive-equipment business in order to improve operational efficiency and restructure the business portfolio for greater profitability.

Last year, Mitsubishi Electric introduced a new Business Area structure to strengthen the company’s business portfolio by reorganizing it into business areas that have the delegated authority needed to act with speed and efficiency.

As a first major step in CASE-related businesses, including electrification and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), which have promising market potential and will require very high levels of investment, Mitsubishi Electric is seeking to collaborate with excellent partners that offer technological synergies. Focusing strategically on these fields and leveraging Mitsubishi Electric’s cutting-edge technologies is expected to put the automotive-equipment business on a stronger growth trajectory. Second, in fields where Mitsubishi Electric has competitive advantages, such as electric power-steering system products, strategies will focus on cost reduction and efficiency enhancement, reviewing business terms with customers, including to accelerate price shifting, and reallocating resources to the most profitable projects and models.

Third, Mitsubishi Electric plans to promptly discontinue problematic automotive-equipment businesses, such as car multimedia, in light of the anticipated difficulty in improving profitability, as well as other factors, in these businesses.

Details of the structural reforms and their specific effects will be disclosed as soon as they are finalized. The spinoff will take the form of a company split, but the specific method and other details have not yet been finalized. The exact timing also has not been determined, but the goal is to establish a new automotive-equipment company within one year from today. Information on these matters will be disclosed as soon as final determinations are made. Mitsubishi Electric expects the spinoff to have only a minor impact on its consolidated financial results

Mukunda Foods, a leading provider of kitchen automation products announced the opening of its new state-of-the-art manufacturing unit in Bangalore. The 20,000 sqft facility is one of the largest in the country, boasting an installed capacity of 25,000 units per year.

The assembly lines at the new facility are designed with a process-oriented approach, from incoming to outgoing goods, ensuring the highest efficiency and accuracy in the production process. The facility layout is also designed to optimize material flow, eliminating criss-cross movement and streamlining inventory management.

Mukunda Foods has implemented a multi-tier store racking system for storing materials, which helps in easy retrieval and issue to the production as per the plan, resulting in accurate inventory management. The facility also features dedicated lines for both Pre-Testing and PDI (Pre Delivery Inspection) of products, ensuring that customers receive only the highest quality products.

The company has implemented good visual management and 1S, and 2S practices, resulting in improved communication between departments and increased productivity, quality, and procurement. An ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) implementation is underway, allowing easy access to key reports like Incoming Quality data, Stores Inventory stock & value, and FG stock.

Mukunda Foods conducts systematic Sales & Operations planning meetings that aid in better production planning every quarter, resulting in on-time delivery of products to customers. Eshwar K Vikas, CEO of Mukunda Foods, said, “We shipped more than 2000 machines in FY 2022-23, which is 4x of what we did in the last fiscal year. We have also launched around 10 new products in last FY and plan to add another 5 in this year. This imposed a requirement for a bigger and better manufacturing facility. We are also expecting a rise in the next fiscal year and wanted to be ready to meet the demand.”

Building on Eshwar’s statement, Sudeep Sabat, the COO of Mukunda Foods, emphasized that their company is proudly Indian-made and has consistently aimed to develop kitchen technology that meets global standards. However, when they decided to upgrade their facility, they recognized that there is a shortage of precision and process-driven manufacturing in the Indian kitchen technology industry. Therefore, they are taking a bold step to improve by drawing inspiration from their Korean counterparts and implementing their learnings to build a world-class facility. 

The opening of this new manufacturing unit marks a significant milestone for Mukunda Foods as they continue to provide high-quality kitchen automation products to customers in India and beyond.

Heavy loads, high forces, long travel distances and lower requirements for precision and dynamics are characteristic for end-of-line packaging. The use of decentralised drive solutions with controlled frequency inverters can achieve cost benefits of up to 50 % depending on the type of system and application. 

Drives with centrally controlled servo motors are commonly used in end-of-line packaging. However, in applications with large inertia or long movement distances – for example palletising, stabilising or handling – they are usually not mandatory. Decentralised drive solutions, for example with controlled asynchronous motors, are an efficient and economical alternative in this context. NORD DRIVESYSTEMS is highly familiar with the industry’s requirements and implements modular drive concepts that are precisely tailored to the specific application and customer requirements. 

Asynchronous motors with decentrally controlled frequency inverters. 

Due to their high inertia, NORD asynchronous motors offer decisive advantages for end-of-line packaging. When moving heavy loads, it ensures better (movement) control than conventional servo solutions that must be adjusted to the respective application via large gear ratios. Furthermore, they enable highest process stability, reduce vibrations and the risk of damaging the load or packaging machine. A further advantage: asynchronous motors are available everywhere in a wide range, are easy to maintain and can be combined with different types of gear units and frequency inverters. 

When used with decentralised frequency inverters, such as NORDAC BASE SK 180E, NORDAC FLEX SK 200E, NORDAC LINK SK 250E or NORDAC ON SK 300P, components such as control cabinets and wiring are eliminated and the setup effort is significantly lower. An additional important advantage is space saving. 

With a modular concept, the drive also remains maximally flexible, as changes to the system architecture can be made at any time without large structural modifications, and additional drives can be easily added later without changes to the control cabinet. 

Cost benefits of up to 50 % 

Low procurement costs, constructive freedom in machine design, faster commissioning, simplified maintenance and repair processes: asynchronous motors with decentrally controlled frequency inverters and encoder feedback via absolute or incremental encoders enable highly economic and precise positioning applications and dynamic movement of large and heavy packaging units. This makes this technology a real alternative for application fields such as end-of-line packaging, where heavy loads and high forces are the norm. Depending on the system type and application, the savings can amount to up to 50 %.

A new assortment of Pramet LNEX 12 negative tangential inserts, with four cutting edges, provides a highly productive solution for a wide range of applications. 

The LNEX 12 is a robust insert designed for shoulder milling with a maximum depth of cut up to 10 mm. It features a positive rake angle and narrow T-land to provide a smooth cutting action with lower demands on spindle torque. 

The peripherally ground insert offers improved wall accuracy and straightness and creates a true 90° corner. The LNEX12 also featuring a patented U-groove segment on all four cutting edges which provide a good surface finish and expand its application range to low-power machines and small depths of cut.

In addition, the two-sided design supports performance by making ramping possible.

The insert comes in two different geometries, F for machining of various workpiece materials in light and medium applications. While M is suited for medium to semi-roughing in steels and cast irons. 

Alongside the new insert is a line of perfectly matched cutters. The Pramet SLN12X series is available in Cylindrical, Weldon and Shell styles, with all featuring internal coolant systems for improved surface quality. Its improved body strength and thick core offers enhanced rigidity, giving a reliable cutting process with low vibrations and long tool life for both the insert and cutter. Easily accessible large clamping screws provide simple indexing and handling of inserts. 

The combination of the Pramet LNEX 12 inserts and the SLN12X cutters give operators a smooth cut with a clean finish, reducing the need for additional operations, such as deburring. 

For more information, please visit www.dormerpramet.com  

A recent promising development, Microbial Fuel Cells (MFC), use bacteria to consume sludge in existing wastewater. As a result of this consumption, charged electrons are produced and can be utilised to generate electricity, details Manish Dixit from ABB India.

How do new technologies, such as Thermal Hydrolysis and Microbial Fuel Cells, address the handling challenges of traditional water and sewage treatment processes?
Traditional water and sewage treatment processes create large amounts of sludge that pose significant handling challenges. New technologies are emerging to address the problem in response to this issue. For example, Thermal Hydrolysis is a process that treats wastewater and converts the resulting sludge into biogas, reducing waste and generating usable fuel.

Another promising development is Microbial Fuel Cells (MFC), which use bacteria to consume sludge in existing wastewater. As a result of this consumption, charged electrons are produced and can be utilised to generate electricity. Lab results for MFC are encouraging, suggesting that if produced on a large scale, it could greatly reduce the need for fossil fuels in electricity generation.

What measurement solutions has ABB provided for water and wastewater systems, and how have these solutions been utilised in various water projects in India?
ABB has established itself as a leading provider of measurement solutions for water and wastewater systems. Its extensive range of analytical products is used worldwide to monitor water quality, while its expertise in measuring flow, level, and pressure has benefitted numerous utilities. In India, ABB has been involved in several water and wastewater projects, including deploying battery-powered electromagnetic flowmeters for the textile industrial cluster in Surat. These meters feature built-in data logging and wireless data transmission capabilities, ensuring accurate billing based on actual consumption and promoting transparency in groundwater usage.

Additionally, ABB has supported rural drinking water schemes in the Indian states of Karnataka and Rajasthan, specifically in the villages of Koppal and Banswara. By utilising integrated, battery-powered solutions for flow and pressure monitoring within the water network, ABB has enabled measurement in areas where power accessibility was previously challenging. These solutions come equipped with inbuilt data logging and wireless data transmission capabilities, providing centralised, secured data without additional hardware. By monitoring supply and consumption patterns, local bodies can better manage their water networks and make informed decisions about future investments based on reliable and time-stamped data.

How have Electromagnetic Flowmeters been used to measure wastewater intake and treated water discharge?
Electromagnetic Flowmeters have proven to be a valuable solution for measuring wastewater intake and treated water discharge. By accurately measuring the amount of water being treated, these Flowmeters help to monitor plant efficiency and maintain records. One of the key benefits of using Electromagnetic Flowmeters is their ability to provide highly accurate measurements cost-effectively, without the need for moving parts that can obstruct the flow path. This also results in minimal pressure drop in the line, which helps save energy costs

Energy storage absorbs the excess energy produced by renewable energy during periods of high production to become the primary power source for industrial applications. Hence, storage capacity to support renewable energy becomes critical, says Ankit Mittal, CEO & Co-Founder, Sheru.

Please talk about opportunities available for energy storage and energy management.
As the amount of renewable energy added to the grid increases, the need is to ensure this variable load in the grid remains balanced. As renewable energy is only produced during favourable conditions – when the sun is shining or when the wind is blowing; ways to balance supply and demand become important. Energy storage and energy management are two critical ways to achieve these goals.

Energy storage absorbs the excess energy produced by renewable sources during periods of high production. It pumps this power back into the grid during periods of high demand. With adequate storage, the electricity grid can become completely carbon-free and powered only through renewable energy.

Demand management is the smart use of energy using insights gathered from energy use. As policies such as Time of Day (ToD) tariffs become widespread, power will be more expensive at some points of the day (when electricity demand is high) and cheaper during others (when electricity demand is low). Demand management allows businesses and consumers to identify opportunities to reduce costs through better energy use.

How do you evaluate energy storage technologies for manufacturing processes?
Several industries and manufacturing processes require constant, uninterrupted, and quality power. As renewable energy becomes the primary power source for industrial applications, storage capacity to support renewable energy becomes critical. Currently, several technologies are under trial in different countries. With technological improvements and falling costs, they are expected to come into operation over the decade.

What power backup systems are in place to meet continual power supply in your facility?
Our patented bidirectional energy vending machines back up our facilities. These receive power from the grid and store it but send energy back to the grid. This bidirectional technology aids energy storage and management by storing energy when it is in excess or cheaper and sending it back to the grid when the grid needs the power.

What innovative technologies for energy storage are in use?
One of the most innovative technologies for energy storage is Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G). It allows the battery in an electric vehicle to be used as an energy storage device. It enables the vehicle to participate in energy storage and demand management and fully utilises its battery potential. Sheru is the first company in the world to integrate V2G technology with battery swapping through our bidirectional vending machines. This enables batteries used in swapping applications to be aggregated and used for energy storage and demand management.

What are your views about smart energy management for manufacturing facilities?
Expenditure on energy is one of the biggest impacts on any company and manufacturing facility’s bottom line. When the companies face periods of very high energy prices, with energy management, they go from being passive participants to active participants in the energy market. Here they take advantage of fluctuating prices. It allows them to shift their energy-intensive processes to periods of low prices. It helps them realise better returns for their facilities. Using insights from data at manufacturing facilities can help unlock untapped potential and realise even greater value.

A shift from centralised power systems is happening towards smaller, localised ones that optimise power demand, consumption, and management. Sachin Bhalla from Schneider Electric states that microgrids are powered using various technologies such as batteries, onsite solar panels, and distributed generators.

What are some of the advantages of microgrids, and how can they benefit corporate organisations regarding energy management and cost savings?
The development of new and advanced clean technologies and policy changes, including the Paris Climate Accord, results from innovation from energy solution providers. As a result, corporates worldwide are leveraging new energy opportunities that include energy storage, solar, wind power, energy distribution, etc.

Over the past decade, renewables have set the foundation for clean-tech solutions, and companies have begun to adopt renewable solutions as forward-thinking energy technologies. This new prospect will allow companies to increase their energy management programs’ efficiency, control, and resilience. Another opportunity that is seriously worth considering is microgrids. Microgrids are emerging as a decentralising technology that will be a key component of the future of energy. With the ability to operate autonomously from the traditional grid, microgrids are powered using various technologies such as batteries, onsite solar panels, and distributed generators.

Today’s market forces’ demand and supply trends are gradually shifting from centralised power systems to smaller, localised ones that optimise power demand, consumption, and management. Clean energy that is locally generated and managed – is a boon to companies -choosing to use energy responsibly and incur significant cost savings. Opportunities in energy storage range from fast responsive options for real-time management of networks to unpredictable week–to–week variations. For the best power quality management, load balancing, and backup power, energy storage options are grouped into batteries, thermal, mechanical, pumped hydro, and hydrogen. Corporate organisations will be pushed to invest in maximum energy investments while contributing to clean energy transitions as the price for resources such as batteries and other storage solutions drop. Therefore, increasing confidence in renewable and cost efficiency will become the most compelling factors in companies focusing on energy storage and management.

What key parameters are used to evaluate energy storage technologies beyond the batteries, and how can this benefit manufacturing processes?
Energy storage technology has been equated with stationary batteries in recent years. The companies have invested in this technological advancement predicting how important it will be for the consumer and businesses. However, batteries are the tip of the iceberg when discussing energy storage technologies. Technologies such as rectifiers that convert power from AC to DC for storage on the battery and inverters for distribution to the load are also of equal importance.

Distribution systems are pivotal in sending power to different regions and various racks that hold this equipment together. Depending on the size of these energy storage technologies, we develop the best-in-class intelligent cooling systems that can report data at any point in the world from the monitoring site. A primary parameter for evaluating the quality of these software systems is the ability of these smart technologies to analyse – when battery power is required to avoid a peak energy period in a building demand reduction scenario. For example, EcoBlade is a pre-engineered energy storage solution that is easy to install and highly scalable. Hence, parameters such as affordability, intelligent systems, and the best-in-class energy storage that empowers users to shift their energy use in real-time are used to evaluate energy storage technologies for manufacturing processes.

How can Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) helps manufacturers protect their assets and ensure data protection during power cuts or disruptions?
Schneider Electric’s Uninterruptible Power Supply helps provide the best industrial plant protection and is built to meet continual power supply, be it in computer rooms or large data hubs. Conditioned by uninterrupted voltage conditioning, we have developed the best battery backup for every situation. We believe that to prevent financial loss and damage to our assets, our UPS is the key to solving power cuts challenges. It also serves as a tool to save data and information, thereby regulating power distribution.

The data centres and server rooms are crucial to ensure minimal power disruptions, zero downtime, and data protection for businesses. Our UPS systems are manufactured to maintain minimum battery life and provide an emergency power supply during uncertain data loss.

What are some of the technologies currently being used to address the energy crisis? What are some of the advantages these technologies offer in terms of energy efficiency, cost savings, and environmental sustainability?
The energy crisis will likely accelerate the energy transition. The two go hand in hand. One of the greatest challenges we face today is balancing the short-term problem of energy price volatility and security with the medium-term imperative of cutting carbon emissions. By taking a holistic view of energy investment, we can address both sides of the issue – reducing energy consumption and waste. It helps transition to cleaner energy sources by technologies that help address both parameters. Various technologies are being worked on, with varying degrees of maturity.

Currently, some technologies in use are Lithium Ion which helps save cost, space, ease of services, and energy saving. Advance Lithium-ion batteries offer advantages such as portability, fast recharging, low maintenance, and versatility.

Solar batteries deliver carbon reduction, convenience, clean air, and sustainability benefits. And solid-state batteries enable greater energy density, portability, and shelf life.

How is Schneider Electric supporting the manufacturing sector’s energy efficiency goals through energy management solutions and transmission network insight?
The Internet of Things has been instrumental in the world’s move towards digitisation and, specifically, the manufacturing sector by providing timely information and data to the appropriate stakeholders, making the information flow seamless. This seamless flow of information results in a massive reduction in carbon emissions, thereby decreasing operating for manufacturing units.

Schneider Electric is committed to supporting the manufacturing sector to increase energy efficiency and reduce costs by providing world-class energy management solutions to empower all its users. We strive to provide transmission operators superior insight into transmission and sub-transmission networks. We aim at operating either as a standalone system or fully integrated with Schneider Electric’s ADMS.

Energy storage systems have become increasingly popular among developed and developing countries as they provide a way to limit pollution and make better use of renewable energy sources.

The energy storage systems market involves thermal, electrochemical, and mechanical energy storage. Thermal energy storage includes the lead acid batteries, flow batteries, lithium-ion batteries, sodium-sulfur batteries, and others. Meanwhile, mechanical energy storage includes pumped hydro energy storage, compressed air and liquid energy, and flywheel energy storage. The demand for thermal energy is high across many applications, and therefore, the need for its storage has become increasingly important for future utilisation.

Many countries are seeking solutions to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels and reduce carbon emissions. Renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydro are promising solutions to this problem. However, the intermittent nature of these sources makes it difficult to rely on them as a sole power source. Energy storage systems provide a way to store excess energy produced during peak hours and use it when demand is high.

Energy storage systems
Energy storage systems come with a high price tag despite their benefits. The high installation cost of these systems is a major obstacle to their widespread adoption. Due to the upfront costs, governments and businesses are often reluctant to invest in such systems. However, the long-term benefits of energy storage systems cannot be ignored. In addition to reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, these systems can also help to stabilise energy prices by reducing the need for expensive peak-hour energy. Energy storage systems can also improve the grid’s reliability by providing backup power during outages.

Deliberating about energy storage technology, Ankit Mittal, CEO & Co-Founder of Sheru, says the facilities equipped with bidirectional energy vending machines are powered by the grid and store excess energy to send back when needed. This technology aids energy storage and management, ensuring a continuous and reliable power supply. To protect against power outages, Uninterruptible Power Supply provides the best industrial plant protection. Sharing his views on UPS, Sachin Bhalla, VP of Secure Power Division, India, and SAARC from Schneider Electric, mentions that UPS is designed to meet the power supply needs of computer rooms and large data hubs by conditioning voltage and providing battery backup. Power cuts can cause financial loss and damage to assets, so UPS is a key tool for regulating power distribution and saving critical data and information. Overall, it is better to prioritise uninterrupted power supply and develop innovative solutions to meet the diverse needs of manufacturing facilities.

In recent years, the importance of energy storage has been recognised as a critical component of renewable energy systems. The demand for energy storage solutions that can manage real-time networks and handle unpredictable week-to-week variations has created a range of opportunities for growth in the industry. From fast-responding batteries to thermal and mechanical options, various storage options are available to meet the needs of diverse end-users, such as healthcare, automotive, aerospace, and military.

As the cost of batteries and other storage solutions drop, corporate organisations are taking the lead to invest in maximum energy efficiency while contributing to clean energy transitions, states Sachin. With increasing confidence in renewable and cost efficiency, energy storage and management are becoming the most compelling factors for companies to focus on. Energy storage plays a crucial role in absorbing excess energy produced by renewable sources during periods of high production and pumping it back into the grid during periods of high demand. With adequate storage, the electricity grid can become completely carbon-free and powered entirely by renewable energy. As technology improves and costs come down, more countries are likely to adopt these systems to reduce pollution, stabilise energy prices, and enhance the reliability of their power grids.

While batteries have been the most visible energy storage technology in recent years, other technologies such as rectifiers and inverters are equally important in converting power from AC to DC for storage on the battery and distributing it to the load. As the industry continues to evolve and develop new solutions, the potential for a carbon-free future powered by renewable energy becomes increasingly achievable.

Innovative technologies
Innovative technologies for energy storage are gaining importance as we strive to tackle the short-term challenge of energy price volatility and security while reducing carbon emissions in the medium term. One such technology is Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G), which allows electric vehicle batteries to be used as energy storage devices. This technology enables vehicles to participate in energy storage and demand management, fully utilising the potential of their batteries. Ankit explains that integrating V2G technology with battery swapping through bidirectional vending machines allows aggregating batteries used in swapping applications for energy storage and demand management purposes.

Furthermore, advanced Lithium-ion batteries offer portability, fast recharging, low maintenance, and versatility. Solid-state batteries, on the other hand, provide even greater energy density, portability, and shelf life. By embracing these innovative technologies for energy storage, we can address the challenges we face today while paving the way for a more sustainable future.

Smart energy management for manufacturing facilities
The Internet of Things has been instrumental in moving towards digitisation, quips Sachin Bhalla. Smart energy management has become crucial for manufacturing facilities in the digital age with the help of the Internet of Things (IoT). By providing real-time data to stakeholders, IoT has facilitated seamless information flow and helped reduce carbon emissions, decreasing operating costs for manufacturing units.

Energy management has enabled companies to participate actively in the energy market, particularly during high energy prices. By adopting a holistic approach to energy investment, manufacturing facilities can reduce energy consumption and waste while transitioning to cleaner energy sources using advanced technologies, says Sachin Bhalla.

Conclusively, the high installation cost of energy storage systems remains a major obstacle to their widespread adoption. However, the benefits of these systems cannot be ignored. Governments and businesses must work together to find solutions to reduce the upfront costs of these systems and incentivise their adoption. Doing so can create a more sustainable and reliable energy future for all.

Future outlook
The thermal management market is experiencing growth due to increased demand for thermal management solutions and systems in various end-use industries, such as healthcare, automotive, aerospace and military. The thermal energy storage market is being driven by the rising adoption of renewable energy resources and the growing demand for uninterrupted power supply due to rapid industrialisation worldwide.

The global energy storage system market is witnessing significant growth due to the rising demand for sustainable energy solutions and the need to reduce carbon emissions. Manufacturers are utilising various expansion strategies to gain a substantial market share and strengthen their position in the market. While energy storage systems are gaining popularity, the high installation cost remains a major challenge to the market. However, the increasing awareness of the benefits of energy storage systems and technological advancements are expected to drive the market’s growth in the coming years. Despite the challenges, the future looks promising for energy storage systems.

Sachin Bhalla, VP – Secure Power Division, India & SAARC, Schneider Electric.
“Increasing energy efficiency, investing in renewable and cost efficiency lays focus on energy storage, and thus, energy management solutions empower users.”

Ankit Mittal, CEO & Co-Founder, Sheru.
“Bidirectional technology aids energy storage and management by storing energy when it is in excess or cheaper and sending it back to the grid when the grid needs the power.”

While conversing about technology, Praveen Vaidya from B&R Industrial Automation elaborates that to enable automotive and machine tool sectors, B&R, with its vast portfolio of scalable solutions and innovative technology, is helping manufacturers to implement and integrate new machines in the assembly lines.

How is B&R helping automotive manufacturers to adapt to breakthrough technologies, implement and integrate new machines quickly, and cope with increasing custom feature demands in the industry?
The automotive sector is emerging with new techniques, innovative ideas, and designs to compete in the market. The government is also making several policies to enhance safety and upgrade the ride experience of the consumer, pushing manufacturers to provide more. The Automotive manufacturers and their OEMs have sought to fulfil market demands with innovative ideas and adapting to breakthrough technologies. Manufacturers are changing their production and assembly plants to satisfy the increasing demand for custom-ordered features and options within the same footprint. To enable automotive and machine tool sectors to cope with increasing demands and perform the best, B&R, with its vast portfolio of scalable solutions and innovative technology, is helping manufacturers to implement and integrate new machines in the assembly lines quickly and seamlessly into the existing ones. The increased custom feature demand in the sector has led manufacturers to adapt to robotics, automated machines, and monitoring systems, which are observed as market growth influencers. The real-time connectivity between machines and digital production overview has given rise to smart factories to optimise the machine time and schedule timely maintenance; on the other hand, this provides business intelligence, improves predictive analysis, and helps ease lifecycle management.

What are the advantages of using B&R’s integrated motor-drive solution with compact variants and a single hybrid cable for supply and communication in terms of performance, space-saving, and safety?
The pace of change in this sector has always been evolving slowly yet emerging with great trends. As production demands are getting high, we need motors and highly efficient, safe transmission systems that provide more performance in a small footprint. Considering these demands, B&R has added two compact variants to its integrated motordrive solution. The new devices are equipped with powerful processors, perfect for applications where tight synchronisation and positioning precision are paramount. This motor-drive solution using a single hybrid cable for supply and communication, provides significant space-saving, as the drive unit is directly mounted on the motor and helps reduce the cabling that needs to be run to the control cabinet. Also, regarding safety, the integrated motor-drive units come standard with the STO safety function. It is controlled via the hybrid cable, so no extra wiring is necessary.

How do you evaluate Industry 5.0 role in improving automotive productivity?
Industry 5.0 is a relatively new concept highlighting the importance of human collaboration and advanced technology in manufacturing operations. Industry 5.0 can significantly improve productivity in the automotive industry by combining human workers’ strengths and technology to increase efficiency and productivity. This will be enabled using Cobots, which are also referred to as collaborative robots and are safe to collaborate with humans in the production area. Digitalisation will also provide unprecedented opportunities to improve production processes, especially technologies such as connected machines, artificial intelligence, and machine learning algorithms. These technologies will help analyse data collected from different processes on the assembly line and identify the pattern in real-time to adjust the production process. This will help the automotive industry to increase its production efficiency and reduce waste in terms of material and resources, ultimately leading to cost savings.

How can Condition Monitoring Systems (CMS) be used to implement condition-based and predictive maintenance for machinery and equipment?
Maintaining the health of motor and gear systems is crucial for uninterrupted production processes. While data from the process is already being collected, sensors can now provide valuable information from these mechanical systems, allowing for predictions on the system’s life. However, this industry has traditionally struggled to create scheduled solutions due to uncertainties that can disrupt production processes and reduce time-to-market. To achieve long-term improvements in efficiency, new approaches are necessary. Condition Monitoring Systems (CMS) can monitor the health of machinery and equipment, providing a basis for implementing condition-based and predictive maintenance. B&R’s APROL ConMon streamlines this process, enabling easy acquisition, processing, and assessment of relevant condition parameters. The system is pre-installed on an industrial PC. It includes engineering and operator software and a high-performance database with an SQL interface for maintaining protective data and facilitating further research and development in maintaining the product life cycle.

Dr. Vijay Kalantri is President of All India Association of Industries, Indian Council of Foreign Trade and Indo-Polish Chamber of Commerce & Industry and is Chairman of Balaji Infra Projects Limited. He has developed a Port / SEZ in Maharashtra. Dr. Vijay is also Chairman of World Trade Centre, Mumbai and a member of Board of Directors of WTC Association, New York and past President of All India Manufacturers Organization and Association Machinery and Textile Spares Manufacturing. Dr. Kalantri is currently the Honorary Consul to Uzbekistan in Mumbai, Chairman of the Honorary Consular Corps Diplomatique – Mumbai. Honoured with various prestigious awards Dr. Vijay is a recipient of Commander Cross of the Order of Merit, by the Government of Poland and also ‘The Puskin Award’ from the President of the Russian Federation.

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“A passion for innovation and a commitment to continuous improvement is at the core of our business.”

The colossal Indian tire manufacturer, BKT Tires, is a multinational which continues to achieve positive growth through a focus on new products and expanding its operations. The company aims to achieve a 10 percent global market share without neglecting human values and the environment. In an exclusive interaction at the BKT Bhuj plant visit, Ashok Chhajer, Sr. General Manager – OE Sales, (Domestic Market), Balkrishna Industries Ltd., talks about the latest automation technologies and sustainable practices.

What are some benefits of advanced technology and automation that are installed in the Bhuj plant, and are there any potential drawbacks or risks to relying heavily on automation?
We have made our manufacturing process smoother, speedier, and more efficient thanks to the automation of everything from the handling of raw materials to processing.The transition from manual systems to automation has eliminated human error, and product damage thus improving the overall quality. This is especially crucial in labour-intensive tasks such as tire manufacturing, where automation significantly improves the finished product.

BKT’s Bhuj plant today sees more efficient machinery installed, with features that make it possible to work faster and more precisely, increasing the quantity of production and the quality of the finished product. This means, for example, that the amount of product discarded is reduced, increasing the sustainability of the manufacturing process and consequently reducing production costs; processes are also becoming increasingly reliable and accurate, and most importantly for BKT, occupational risks are drastically reduced and worker comfort improved.

What are the latest manufacturing practices that have been implemented in the Bhuj plant to optimise production?
BKT has invested a huge capex in a new approach to production at its plant – making the process more sustainable and reducing CO2 emissions. For example – the energy produced during the manufacture of tires acts as a by-product that helps power the plant. Another is ‘Vertical Integration’, the carbon black one of the major raw materials in tires is produced in-house, so is having an in-house mold plant, which ensures complete reliability and autonomy.

In BKT’s Bhuj plant, we have installed the latest tech in tire manufacturing like robotic ply-cutting technology, which allows for precise and efficient cutting of tire plies, reducing waste and improving productivity. Robotic painting technology is being utilized for both inside and outside tire painting, which ensures consistent paint application, reduces overspray, and improves the overall quality of the finished tire. Additionally, BKT has installed a mechanism that collects and recycles excess materials generated during tire manufacturing, thus reducing waste and optimising material usage. The latest manufacturing practices in tire manufacturing plants focus on leveraging advanced technologies, automation, data analytics, and continuous improvement initiatives to optimise production processes, reduce waste, improve quality, and enhance overall efficiency.

What manufacturing growth do you say there is in the off-highway tire market?
It’s important to note that the market is not stagnant but growing and we see no signs of it slowing down. Let me give you an example of the mining industry in India. As long as we rely on coal for power generation and continue to import coal, there is a need to increase coal production, for which we need efficient and large equipment with reliable tires that can provide faster output. This is just one example that illustrates how the quality of equipment and tire is crucial for a country’s growth.

Agriculture, mining, and infrastructure sectors significantly impact the demand for tires. As production volume increases, the requirement for larger tires also grows. With the government’s focus on infrastructure development, as mentioned by Mr. Nitin Gadkari during his recent speech, there will be a growing demand for equipment and, in turn tires. So, we see a great opportunity for growth in the mining and infrastructure sectors, which will positively impact the tire market.

Regarding our growth in the off-highway tire market; BKT’s global market share is 6 percent and we are aiming to increase our share to 10 percent.

How has the move to set up a carbon black manufacturing unit assisted BKT in its overall growth?
A tire consists of approx. 30 percent of carbon black making it a critical raw material. BKT embarked on a backward integratio program of setting up Carbon Black manufacturing facilities in 2017, which has proved to be a boon especially, in the scenario when the industry was facing a crunch in the raw materials supply. Today, the company’s carbon black product is utilised captively, and balanced is sold in the markets under the brand name ‘BKT Carbon’.

The current production of about 165,600 MT per annum of Carbon Black comprises ‘Hard Grade’ Carbon and ‘Soft Grade’ Carbon. Hard Grade Carbon is used in the tire tread and Soft Grade is used in the casing compound to improve tire strength & durability and generate less heat. Going forward, in line with the business plan, BKT’s goal is to increase carbon black production to 192,600 MT per annum by 2023. In addition, BKT has already initiated working on the production of ‘Specialty carbon black’, which is suitable for use in specific applications such as paints, plastics, and inks.

BKT has tried to reduce its carbon footprint at the Bhuj factory by using renewable energy and optimising its water and other resources. How important is it for companies to prioritise sustainability in their manufacturing operations, and what challenges may they face in doing so?
Companies that prioritise sustainability in their manufacturing operations can reap several benefits, such as energy and resource efficiency, waste reduction, and recycling, which can lead to cost savings in the long run. By optimising processes and minimising waste, companies can reduce production costs, lower operational expenses, and enhance their bottom line.

Companies are subject to various environmental regulations and standards. By prioritising sustainability in their manufacturing operations, companies can ensure compliance with these regulations, mitigate the risks of penalties, fines, and legal liabilities, and safeguard their business operations. Embracing sustainability can drive innovation and open new market opportunities. Developing eco-friendly products, incorporating renewable energy sources, and adopting circular economy practises can position companies as leaders in the market and enable them to tap into growing consumer demand for sustainable products and services.

Therefore, we must prioritise sustainability, if we are truly serious about securing a better future for our children, not just ourselves or our families, but our society, country, and nation. BKT published its first sustainability report last year, which can be downloaded or read online from our website.

Dr. Sanjeev Kumar, Head of Business Development India, Renishaw Metrology Systems Limited. He has professional experience of around two decades for business development. Mr. Sanjeev started his career as a Design Engineer at Renishaw headquarters in the UK. His core competency lies in strategy formulation, building operational plans. His hands-on and field experience has helped him to connect well with domestic and global organisations over the last decade, contributing to enhance bottom-line profitability. He has been leading the business development function for Renishaw in India. Oemupdate, IndustryTalks, Smart, Manufacturing, Transforming, Defence, Aerospace, technologies, AI, robotics, IoT, Industry4.O, selfreliance, design, capabilities, supplychain, reorganisation, exports, services

Messer India has a continuous product development process to meet any thermal cutting requirements. The industry has started using automation to increase productivity, and manage material movement, inventory, to save time and cost, says Ravichandran Duraisamy, Senior Product Manager, Messer Cutting Systems India.

“As a leader in thermal cutting, we see that the industry has grown due to sustained demand conditions.”

Despite global challenges in the supply chain, the manufacturing sector Index of Industrial Production (IIP) has grown from 2.8% (2015 – 16) to 21.2% (2021-22). According to the Press Information Bureau (PIB), the Indian economy has increased from 10th to 5th largest in the world in the past nine years. I also quote that the recent 2023-24 union budget has enormous opportunities for growth in industrial sectors, such as Infrastructure and Investment (Project Saptarishi) and Railways, with a capital outlay of 2.40 lakh crore. Moreover, we foresee a lot of opportunities in Infrastructure development and related sectors.

Evolution of Indian industry in the last decade
The industry has shifted from General engineering methods to process automation, digitalisation, robotics etc. We also see various technology-based startups across India catering to the above requirements.

Challenges in the current scenario
One of the major challenges any industry faces is the requirement for a skilled workforce and the associated costs. In the manufacturing sector, the labour cost for skilled manpower is rising and is catching up with the cost of the IT industry. To bridge this gap, digitalisation and automation are the key solutions to enhance productivity.

To promote technological advancements in the Indian manufacturing sector, the government has launched initiatives such as Industry 4.0 through SAMARTH (Smart Advanced Manufacturing and Rapid Transformation Hubs) and UDYOG Bharat 4.0. These initiatives aim to encourage the adoption of technological solutions.

However, the resurgence of Covid-19 could cause disruptions in the supply chain.

The future of thermal cutting
Laser cutting has emerged as the technology of choice due to its superior performance and cost-effectiveness. Plasma-based processes such as bevelling and drilling have enabled users to reduce the need for multiple post-cutting operations.

The industry has embraced automation to improve productivity, streamline material movement and inventory management, and save time and costs. Just as India was a late starter in the mobile phone industry but is now one of the world’s largest consumers, automation is poised to become a ubiquitous force in every sector of the Indian industry. The lack of skilled manpower is expected further to fuel the adoption of process automation and digitalisation.

Partner of choice
With over 125 years of experience in the global market, we are pioneers in the thermal cutting industry. Our team has extensive collective experience and application knowledge, allowing us to offer innovative solutions to complex customer problems. We are proud to offer state-of-the-art products with cutting-edge technology, and our after-sales support infrastructure and personalised service support are second to none. We provide products that utilise all three energy sources – Oxyfuel, Plasma, and Laser, making us an ideal partner for all customers.

Our modular products are designed to meet the needs of various customers, including bevel units for weld edge preparation and OmniWin, a professional nesting tool. Additionally, we offer a range of automation products, such as Machine Insight (MI) for machine monitoring, Production Data Capture (PDC) for live data, ERP Connect to integrate with customers’ ERP, Auto Plate management, and integrated machines with software solutions.

At Messer India, we are committed to being a solution provider to our customers. We have a strong and established continuous product development process, allowing us to meet any requirements in the thermal cutting industry

Gautam Seth shares that HPL Electric aims to continue developing new products and evolving as a technology company while striving for further growth and success.

What are the latest developments and challenges faced in this industry?
Compared to last year, the outlook for the industry appears positive. Our company has experienced double-digit growth across all product segments and customer levels, including utility, industrial, residential, and commercial. This growth trend is expected to continue throughout the current year.

The electronics industry has been driving significant changes, particularly with the emergence of smart meters and communicable switch gears. This has become our focus, and we are developing products accordingly. The year circuit breaker and the MCCB already have some communication capabilities, but we are working on making them more communicable across all segments. We are also integrating more electronics into our mechanical products to overcome the challenges and improve technology.

The supply chain has been a significant challenge in the last couple of years due to disruptions and price surges in some commodities and electronics. However, in the past three months, there has been a more stable pricing and supply chain environment. It is hoped that things will continue to improve as time goes on.

What are the new advancements in HPL’s product range?
Our company has four product verticals: metering, switchgear, lighting, and wire and cables. We are showcasing our entire range of products at the exhibition. In terms of new products, we have made a lot of advancements in each of the four product verticals. For instance, we have the latest range of smart meters, which are in high demand, especially in India. We have also developed microprocessor-based MCCBs, automatic transfer switches, new distribution boards, and a complete range of solar components for the solar industry. Furthermore, we have also introduced specialty cables like telecom and 4G cables.

What steps is the company taking to ensure that it continues to evolve as a technology company amidst the changing landscape of the manufacturing industry?
This year, our company anticipates significant growth across all sectors of the Indian economy, buoyed by the country’s rapid expansion of its manufacturing base. Thanks to our integrated capabilities and international division’s presence in more than 50 countries, we are well-positioned to capitalise on this trend. In the future, we aim to expand our reach even further through events such as Hannover Messe while deepening our engagement with the countries where we operate. Our focus remains on developing new products and evolving as a technology company, and we remain committed to pursuing further growth and success.

Mr. Raman Sopory is Founder & President, Aerospace & Defence Consultants Association of India (ADCAI). He is also strategic advisor to aerospace and defence industry and is Sr. General Manager at Data Patterns India Pvt. Ltd. Coming from an engineering background, he has done M.Tech in Lasers & electro Optics and is MMS in business management. He is a professional engineer in defence technology. Mr. Raman was also Director India Campus, computer sciences, Information system for University of Westminster. He also Co Host Indo Pacific technology webinar series at My Security TV, Australia , Tech Invest Advisor and Sharing Happiness. As Sr. strategic advisor, he represented Wipro Technologies in global events. Mr. Raman was Wg. Cdr. in the Indian Air Force. His commendable achievement was as Chief Guest at All India Air Force IT Commanders’ Conference at Bangalore and he also wrote the Defense Business Vision Document with perspective & strategic plan.

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Shreedhar Kamat discusses his experience at Hannover Messe and how it can help evaluate company growth while sharing views on the challenges faced by Indian manufacturing companies.

What is the significance of attending the Hannover Messe for Indian Industry?
Since 1987, EAPL has been participating in Hannover Messe, which has grown significantly over the years, attracting many new participants and featuring various production and manufacturing areas. The event is highly relevant and significant for beginners and new enterprises, providing new insights and opportunities for creating new situations. EAPL, an Indian company founded in Bangalore, attended the trade fair to understand global developments and identify new technology in industrial automation. As an opportunity for self-development, Hannover Messe allows companies to explore outside their region and assimilate new experiences to aid their development.

In India, we are witnessing an unprecedented speed of development and growth in the industrial sector. It is more than just a matter of arithmetic or geometric progression because, with the rapid development, it is difficult to imagine how fast it will continue to grow. Every moment new and innovative ideas emerge beyond the average person’s imagination.

Our aim at EAPL is to grow and evolve continuously. Survival depends on growing and adapting to the changing world around us. Therefore, we have developed strategies to upgrade our technology, production capacity, and marketing strategies. We always look for new technologies and opportunities to improve our products. The main reason for attending Hannover Messe was to learn, assimilate new ideas, and integrate technologies for improvement and growth.

How has EAPL’s product range evolved since its inception, and what steps is the company taking to remain competitive in the global market?
EAPL started by making timers, and now it offers a variety of products. Our main focus is on switchgear and high-quality timers to compete globally. EAPL displayed its latest IoT-based products at Hannover, along with timers for the switchgear industry that work with electronic vehicles. The company constantly looks for ways to improve its products with innovative technology.

What are the biggest challenges faced by Indian SMEs today?
The biggest challenge faced by Indian industries is finding the appropriate workforce. While India can have the required workforce, it has become highly expensive for smaller and medium-scale industries. This is primarily due to the growth and development of the IT industry, which is the preferred choice for many job seekers. As a result, smaller industries focusing on manufacturing, production, and hardware are at a disadvantage when hiring skilled workers-the simple reason being- they cannot afford to pay the type of compensation that the IT industry offers.

The second challenge that we face is the rising cost of production. While India is considered relatively less expensive, manufacturing costs have significantly increased over the past five years. However, the returns are not proportionate to the increased cost. This presents a significant challenge for manufacturing companies in India. This issue needs to be addressed, lest, it may lead to a problematic situation.

During the Hannover Messe 2023, Jairam Varadaraj, MD, and Chris Ringlstetter, President-ELGi Europe, emphasised that all their machines are either newly launched or less than six months old, primarily highlighting efficiency, following their dedication to providing quality and durability. They aimed to draw in more channel partners, educate them about products, introduce new offerings, and showcase the latest innovations.

Please talk about your presence at Hannover Messe 2023?
Jairam Varadaraj: Our objective at Hannover Messe was to establish ourselves as a preferred vendor for our channel partners and customers while expanding our network of channel partners. We aimed to educate them about our products, introduce new offerings, and showcase our latest innovations. These were the key objectives we had in mind for the event. Our presence at Hannover Messe goes beyond just showcasing our products but also emphasises the importance of innovation and consistency. Unlike showing the same products from previous years, we strive to bring brand-new machines to the event, focusing on efficiency.

What is your perception of the air compressor market in India, specifically for the manufacturing sector?
Jairam Varadaraj: We anticipate significant growth in the manufacturing sector, which will drive demand for air compressors. Given their utility in the industry, we expect a strong increase in demand for compressors.

Chris Ringlstetter: One of the advantages of selling our compressors is their wide reach across all sectors, without being limited to any specific industrial sector. This versatility eliminates the risk of
dependence on any single sector.

What factors do you consider critical while upgrading compressors?
Jairam Varadaraj: When assessing a compressor’s lifecycle costs from the customer’s perspective, the primary factor to consider is energy consumption. The energy efficiency of the compressor is of utmost importance to customers. The second factor to be mindful of is the mechanical reliability of the product, as issues may arise over time. It is crucial to have prompt and reliable service support nearby to ensure the factory does not experience downtime due to compressed air shortages. Additionally, the quality of the machine provided must be of the highest standard to meet customer expectations.

Can you elaborate on ELGi’s compressor technology and how it comes with high efficiency, low maintenance cost, and is environmentally friendly?
Jairam Varadaraj: We emphasise energy efficiency in our compressors and are proud to have been ranked highly by the US Compressed Air and Gas Institute. In nearly 40 percent of the models we produce, we hold the top position in terms of efficiency, and in around 50 percent of the models, we are among the top three. Our goal is to become the worldwide leader in efficiency for popular compressor models, and we are investing continuously to achieve this within the next year or two. Quality is a core value for our organisation and is not negotiable. We have also prioritised environmental sustainability by finding ways to eliminate oil in our compressors, which will contribute to a cleaner environment in our country.

How do you evaluate the Indian market compared to the European market regarding compressor growth and opportunity?
Jairam Varadaraj: Our focus in India is on achieving a high market share by exploring growth opportunities. Our market share in Europe is relatively low compared to India. However, we recognise that the long-term growth potential in terms of the number of machines will be much larger in Europe, and the market size in terms of value is also bigger in Europe than in India.

Chris Ringlstetter: We began our expansion into Europe four years ago with significant investments, starting from scratch. This is why our current market penetration in Europe is relatively low.

What innovations have taken place in your business?
Jairam Varadaraj: Our focus on innovation is centred around enhancing energy efficiency in our compressors. We have also invested in developing oil-free innovations, particularly in connected compressors. Apart from these areas, we have also made investments in other aspects.

While discussing the advanced Push-in connection technology, Sandeep Saheta from Connectwell stated that they have successfully developed a comprehensive product portfolio that meets the diverse needs of customers in the terminal block market.

Can you talk about your presence at Hannover Messe 2023?
We have a long-standing tradition of participating in the Hannover Messe trade show since 1998. It was a thrilling experience to witness the trade show return to its former glory after the pandemic disruptions. We were delighted to be a part of this event and look forward to its continued evolution in the future.

What products and technology did you showcase, and what new developments have occurred in your business?
As a leading player in industrial connection technology, we specialised in DIN Rail Terminal Blocks and exhibited our innovative range of products, including PUSH-IN terminal blocks. Our offerings incorporate the latest PUSH-IN connection technology, providing customers with a comprehensive product range that meets market demands in the terminal block segment. Our range of products includes connectors for various wire sizes, from 0.2 sq. mm. to 16 sq. mm. These cutting-edge products were prominently featured at the Hannover Messe 2023 show.

How do you assess the industry outlook?
We recognise the growing momentum of Industry 4.0 and the increasing acceptance of machine learning
and AI in industrial operations. Our products are well-positioned to play a significant role in this landscape. We are engaged in discussions with pioneering companies and equipment manufacturers to understand how our connected products and new offerings can contribute to this growth journey. Our product portfolio includes offerings for various sectors, such as EV, Power and Energy, Control & Automation and process Industries. We have strong partnerships with market leaders in these areas, and we are excited about the terminal blocks and connection methodologies available for these industries from Connectwell.

What are the latest developments and challenges faced by the industry?
The globalisation process and recent global events, such as the pandemic, have put significant pressure on supply chains, making it a key area of concern for large sectors and small component suppliers. Raw material shortages due to global events, such as the conflict in Russia and Ukraine, have also presented challenges. As an industry, it is crucial to have measures in place to mitigate these challenges, and we are actively taking steps in that direction to address these issues.

What are your goals for this year?
Our last financial year ended positively, and the vibrant Indian industry buoys us. We are exploring new opportunities within India in different sectors, such as Rail Transportation, new oil exploration, and renewable energy initiatives. These opportunities have contributed to a positive outlook for our financial year in 2024. As a result, we have made strategic investments in expanding our factory areas and research and development and sales teams in India, Europe, Middle East, and North America. We eagerly look forward to the new financial year starting in April 2023 and are optimistic about our prospects to be at the forefront of the industry in the coming years.

Mr. C. S. Sharma shares his expertise on the cost of quality, the importance of combining speed, scale, quality for sustainability, and the role of conformity assessment frameworks and certification bodies in ensuring quality.

At all levels, commitment and leadership towards quality are vital, including top management, supervisors, and workers. In India, the Quality Council is the apex body driving quality and accreditation framework in India. India’s quality accreditation framework has been recently ranked fifth globally, a positive sign that India is progressing in the right direction towards becoming a global leader in quality.

Quality is a multifaceted term that encompasses various expectations and aspects. It is a relative term, for example quality of a Mercedes Benz and a Maruti Suzuki Alto shouldn’t be compared, as both are made for different segment of customers. Quality now includes meeting the expectations of all stakeholders, not just customer satisfaction and is continually evolving.

Quality management systems have been in place for a long time. Still, with the integration of Industry 4.0, there is a focus on Quality 4.0, where the entire thought process is rooted in digitisation. By utilising software applications that provide real-time data, analysis, risk management, and risk assessment, decision-making can be more accurate, and the cycle time for maintaining quality assurance and control systems can be reduced. The Quality Council of India is also exploring using chat GPT and AI tools to improve the quality of their day-to-day practices. The scope is wide, with many recent technologies providing an edge to quality practices, leading to high-quality products, services, and sustainable revenue growth.

The cost of quality is a crucial aspect of achieving good quality in all sectors. Despite common belief, attaining good quality is not necessarily an expensive affair. In contrast, poor quality can cost up to 15-35%, or even more, when considering defective products, non-conforming products, rework rejection, scrap downtime, warranty claims, complaints, litigation, and regulatory sanctions, especially in critical sectors such as pharmaceuticals. The cost of attaining good quality like expenditure on systems, competence development, quality assurance and quality control protocols is always less than, that of poor quality in a sustainable business model.

To become unicorns, many startups in India prioritise high volume and revenue. However, to ensure sustainability they should integrate quality with revenue and volumes. Combining speed, scale, and quality is now a globally accepted model for sustainability. There are 2 types of compliance systems that exist in the global compliance ecosystem – one driven by regulators and another voluntary 3rd party system driven through international protocols and standards. Certification bodies offering certifications such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and TS 16949 are now recognized globally, and regulators utilize their conformity assessment results to issue licenses and approvals.

Industry 4.0
Industry 4.0 refers to integrating physical and digital realms within an evolving ecosystem. Implementing Industry 4.0 in the coding sector, specifically through CNC machines, has yielded valuable insights, including increased revenue and reduced non-conforming products. Integrating advanced quality technology from Industry 4.0 into our core operations can enhance our current setup and provide additional value.

Quality is crucial across all sectors, whether it involves products or services. When independent bodies review, assess, and certify quality parameters, it would be advantageous for regulators or government bodies to acknowledge these efforts in granting licenses, subsidies, or other financial support.