Over the last 35 years of manufacturing and marketing experience supported by a policy of innovation, Ahire Machine Tools Pvt Ltd (AMT) group is a force to be reckoned in Machine Tools Industry. Nishikant Ahire, CMD, Ahire Machine Tools Pvt Ltd, shares his opinion on the machine tools industry in this conversation with IPF.

 

Could you share in brief the profile of AMT

AMT group was incorporated in 1982, with the objective of becoming an all round partner to business houses in India and abroad. AMT has been working closely with its associates on all fronts, right from product development stages to contract manufacturing. It is now raring to go into European markets. AMT group today has a marketing network in almost 20 industrial cities across India. With an expertise in marketing and manufacturing, amt should prove to be an ideal partner for European Corporate who wishes to establish themselves, in India.

 

With your wide range of products and services, which end users do you cater to?

Machine builders and equipment manufacturing industry, along with the automotive industry.

 

Are you seeing machine tool makers diversifying into other industries other than automotive and auto component industry?

India has been growing in the user industries and several new projects being undertaken in various core industries such as railways, power, infrastructure, etc. Capacity creation in sectors such as infrastructure, oil & gas, power, mining, steel, refinery, consumer durables, etc, is driving growth of the engineering industry.

 

What are the benefits offered by your products and services to your customers?

The universality of our systems allows a large number of work steps, and this greatly increases the cost-effectiveness of production operations. Reliable products, expert advice, first-class service and the candid and lasting relationships with our customers, business partners and staff are what characterises AMT group.

 

What are the prospects for machine tools industry in the rising defence manufacturing sector?

The opening of the defence sector for private sector participation will help foreign original equipment manufacturers to enter into strategic partnerships with Indian companies and leverage the domestic markets as well as aim at global markets. Besides helping in building domestic capabilities, this will also bolster exports in the long term. Favorable government policy which promotes self-reliance, indigenisation, technology upgradation and achieving economies of scale including development of capabilities.

 

Which end-user industries are driving the demand for machine tools and its accessories?

The engineering industry in India manufactures a wide range of products, with heavy engineering goods accounting for bulk of the production. Most of the leading players are engaged in the production of heavy engineering goods and mainly produces high-value products using high-end technology. Requirement of high level of capital investment poses as a major entry barrier. Consequently, the small and unorganised firms have a small market presence. However, there are few medium and large scale firms which manufacture high-value added products in various sectors such as material handling equipment (earth moving machinery, excavators, cranes, etc.)

 

Is Indian machine tools industry ready for adoption of new technologies (such as automation, robotics, 3D printing, artificial intelligence, Industry 4.0, etc)?

In India, the adoption of Industry 4.0 is at a nascent stage. Widespread implementation still looks to be some years away due to challenges such as the need for high investment outlay, inadequate knowhow, lack of infrastructure and lack of adequate cybersecurity norms. However, with benefits such as cost reduction, higher efficiencies, safer factories and faster speed to market, Industry 4.0 can provide the country’s manufacturing sector the much-needed platform to stay competitive in the global market.