PMTX 2024 & FACTEQ 2024: The Way to the West

Organized by the Indian Machine Tool Manufacturers’ Association (IMTMA), PMTX 2024 and FACTEQ 2024 facilitated an engaging space for technology enthusiasts keen to explore the latest offerings in metal cutting, metal forming, and factory equipment by industry stakeholders invested in innovating and redefining the manufacturing game.

The third edition of the Pune Machine Tool Expo (PMTX) and the first edition of the Factory Equipment Expo (FACTEQ), were immensely successful in convening pivotal players in the field under one roof.

• 220 Exhibitors
• 13,195 Visitors from 445 cities
• 12,000 sq mt Exhibition Space

Exhibitors at PMTX 2024 showcased metal cutting and metal forming technologies including automation and robotics, tooling systems, and CAD/CAM. Whereas, FACTEQ 2024 had exhibitors showcasing modern factory equipment, security and safety systems, sustainable and environmental solutions for factories, material storage and transport, and other equipment to be used by the factories of tomorrow.

Starting right

The inaugural ceremony of PMTX 2024 and FACTEQ 2024 convened industry titans who, with their presence, ensured a successful tone to the event. Farrokh N Cooper, Chairman & Managing Director, Cooper Corporation Pvt Ltd, and Amol Nagar, Executive Director - Global Supply Chain GE Aerospace, Cincinnati OH, were the Guests of Honor. Shri S S Survase, Joint Director of Industries, Directorate of Industries, Government of Maharashtra, was the Special Guest. Rajendra S Rajamane, President, IMTMA; Mohini Kelkar, Vice President, IMTMA; Rajesh Mandlik, Chairman - IMTMA Regional Council (West); and Jibak Dasgupta, Director General & CEO, IMTMA, also presided over the inauguration.

Shri Survase said that Maharashtra is currently the largest GDP state as it contributes more than 15 percent to the Indian economy. The Government of Maharashtra, he shared, is working towards the development of MSMEs, and a special cell is being set up for facilitating large and small investments including foreign investments. There are about 18,000 industrial units that are exporting and there is big potential for industries to invest for which the State Government would extend all possible support.

Nagar pointed out that GE is a major player in the Aerospace manufacturing segment having a market share of more than 60 percent.  He added that the Aviation industry’s best practices could be emulated by manufacturing industries, especially on safety, quality, EHS, etc.

Cooper talked about the legacy of Cooper Corporation, its long-term association with the Indian Machine Tool industry, and how the company has evolved from component manufacturing to engines and tractors over the years. He commended IMTMA for its exceptional contributions to India’s growth.

Speaking on the importance of the expo, Rajamane said, “PMTX is held to connect with industries at the regional level so that the cutting-edge technologies are taken to the doorsteps of the industries for their sustainable development. IMTMA has a significant presence of members in the Western region, specifically in Maharashtra and the Association works closely with the Government to support the growth of industries in the state.” He added that the expo has doubled in size and is the largest machine tool show in the region.

Acing the game

The exhibitors at PMTX and FACTEQ 2024 were thrilled at the response they received at the show. It is important to know their side of the story, which is the perfect gauge to measure the success of the show.

AceMicromatic Group, India’s largest machine tool manufacturer, offers a wide range of CNC solutions including Turning, Milling, Grinding, Special Purpose Machines, 3D Metal Printing, Sheet Metal, and Industry 4.0 solutions.

Ace Designer’s Turning Machine CSJ 400 RG with Ace Manufacturing Systems (AMS) Vertical Machining Center GV 40 garnered significant attention at the show, highlighting the Group’s innovative offerings and drawing considerable interest from attendees.

Other exhibits included Micromatic 360, AMiT IoT solutions, Eco solutions from amace solutions in Metal 3D printing, and Sinar Sheetmetal Solutions.

AMS-make VMC GV 40 with a learning industry tool CNC Simulator was introduced to the Maharashtra customers at PMTX 2024.

The show was a great success for AceMicromatic Group, with over 1,000 footfalls and more than 300 leads generated over the four-day event at PMTX 2024. “This reflects the strong engagement and business potential that the expo provided. The presence of a significant number of Auto, Heavy Engineering, Aerospace, and Defence industries in Pune, combined with visitors from other industrial hubs in Maharashtra and the neighboring states, contributed to the high industry footfall and vibrant business environment at the expo,” shares Aravindan A, Business Head, Micromatic Machine Tool Pvt Ltd.

Leveraging opportunities

For India’s largest CNC Machine Tool manufacturer, the Coimbatore-based Lakshmi Machine Works Ltd’s Machine Tool Division, the response to its offerings at PMTX 2024 was exceptional, leading to significant business generation. “We received numerous high-quality leads and valuable opportunities. Pune has consistently shown strong engagement during the PMTX show, and this year, we have set a new benchmark in our business performance,” says Shashank V Joshi, Senior General Manager, LMW Machine Tool Division, Lakshmi Machine Works Ltd.

According to him, the overall experience at PMTX 2024 was highly positive. The show provided an excellent platform for the company to showcase its machines and products. “Engaging with customers in and around Pune was particularly beneficial. PMTX 2024 offered a valuable opportunity for us to connect with existing customers and build relationships with potential new customers. The interactions and feedback we received were insightful. Overall, PMTX 2024 was a significant event for us, enabling us to not only showcase our innovations to the target industries but also to gain valuable insights from the broader industry landscape,” he shares.

The ratio of potential customers to existing customers visiting the LMW stall was likely equal. Given the year-on-year growth in industrial areas in Pune and the continuous influx of new prospects, the company’s objective, shares Joshi, is to cater to the needs of every potential customer with its products and solutions. Its diverse customer base includes industries such as Die & Mold, Fittings, General Engineering, and Automobile.

“Our JD4 – Compact Vertical Machining Center, launched at the event, garnered significant attention from visitors. The JD Series machines cater to industries such as Die & Mold and Automobile. Additionally, the S Turn I – Horizontal Turning Center, designed for industries like Automobile, Fittings, Oil & Gas, and General Engineering, also attracted a lot of interest,” he reveals.

“We have a comprehensive range of 55 products and 88 variants to meet the diverse requirements of various industries. Our exclusive display area for machining solutions tailored for the Oil & Gas, Fittings, General Engineering, and Automobile industries received a favorable response and generated significant enquiries,” adds Joshi.

Getting it right the first time

Since it was the first time Meiban Engineering Technologies Pvt Ltd was participating in PMTX, the team was unsure of the outcome. “We had put in effort and a highly expectant team from Japan was also present during the show. We were thrilled to receive footfall which was beyond our expectations. Most known customers visited our stall, and, interestingly, those new to us also tried to locate us and showed interest in our products. The exhibition machines were sold, which is exceptional for us,” shares Rishi Kapoor, AVP & Country Head, Meiban Engineering Technologies Pvt Ltd.

Meiban Engineering is a solution provider in the field of Automation and Turnkey projects for manufacturing automobile and sheet metal components. It supplies and services sheet metal machines which include CNC Servo Turret Punch presses of various capacities, punching, and shearing machines.

At PMTX, the company displayed its Twin Spindle CNC Chucker MW120EX with the fastest gantry loader in the industry. The machine is suitable for high-precision and hard part turning. The MW100HG twin-spindle CNC chucker is a powerful machine with the smallest footprint which generated the most enquiries.

Just like Meiban Engineering, it was the first time participated in NB Equipments & Engineering Pvt Ltd in FACTEQ 2024. “The show was insightful with the displayed machines and products reflective of the latest industry trends. We received significant industry footfall and leads. Our Scissor Lift (aerial works platform) was featured at the show. The maximum enquiries came from MSMEs in and around the Pune district looking to enhance safety measures for working at heights,” shares Chintan Pandya, Director – Marketing, NB Equipments & Engineering Pvt Ltd.

PMTX is impactful

Pankaj Jayawant Bandal, Regional Manager – Sales, Jyoti CNC Automation Ltd, one of the largest CNC machine tool manufacturers in India, points out that the Manufacturing sector has benefited greatly from PMTX 2024. “The show is gradually making an impact both in terms of technology displays and business opportunities that it offers. Pune is one of the major manufacturing hubs of the country and a show of such caliber has the potential to bring together the manufacturing fraternity to connect and forge business bonds to progress.”

The expo this year, he notes, attracted thousands of visitors from major industrial towns in Maharashtra and surrounding states like Gujarat. It displayed significant developments in manufacturing technologies, with a particular emphasis on Industry 4.0, automation, additive manufacturing, and metalworking machinery.

“PMTX is an ideal platform to showcase our latest innovations and technologies directly to the industrial users. Our CNC Chuckers, Turning Centers, and VMCs for production and Die-Mold applications fetched maximum enquiries during the show. We also received a huge response for double-column machines and 5-axis machining centers,” reveals Bandal.

Connecting customers from Western India

Sachin Mahajan, Marketing Manager – India, Quaker Houghton, the global leader in industrial process fluids, finds PMTX an ideal opportunity to connect with the customers of the western part of India and, in particular, Pune, Nashik, Kolhapur, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar which are the main manufacturing hubs in Maharashtra.

“Industry fairs facilitate direct interactions between experts and customers that lead to a better understanding of the latter’s preferences, requirements, and pain points.  PMTX 2024 helped us engage with enthusiastic visitors from different industries including Automobile, Auto Components, Aerospace, General Engineering, Capital Goods, and many more. The show turned out to be a perfect medium to generate a potential customer base,” he notes.

Quaker Houghton aims to stand out as a market leader with its range of sustainable solutions and promote itself as a one-stop solution for the customer’s manufacturing needs. At the show, the company displayed its value proposition for metalworking and the segments covered were die casting, forging, heat treatment, and metal removal.

Poonam Pednekar Chief Copy Editor Magic Wand Media Inc poonam.pednekar@magicwandmedia.in

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