CIMT 2017 : A Step Towards Growth

With the support of China Machine Tool & Tool Builders’ Association (CMTBA), this year’s CIMT was held with a theme of “New demand, New supply, New Momentum”. The theme resonates with the role it plays, which is being the best window of the world’s ever-changing machine tool market demands.

Since its establishment in 1989, the exhibition has been showcasing world’s advanced manufacturing technology and machine tool products. It is an important platform for the promotion of Chinese and foreign technical exchanges and China’s technological progress. China is the world’s largest machine tool market.

The industry in the country is experiencing profound changes and the major feature of the changes is the rapid upgrading of the demand structure. In order to adapt to the market demand changes, machine tool manufacturers must proceed with the supply side, and provide customers with satisfying products, technology and service model to obtain a new development momentum through adjustment and transformation.

“Chinese machine tool consumption is expected to grow almost by 50 percent in the coming years, which gives a clear indication for greater opportunity for Indian machine tool builders to penetrate deeper in the Chinese machine tool market.”

PG Jadeja, President
Indian Machine Tool Manufacturers’ Association & CMD,
Jyoti CNC Automation Ltd

The who’s who present

The event that sprawled over an area of 131,000 sq mt attracted 1,652 exhibitors from 28 countries and regions, increasing by 5.5 percent over the previous session. Twelve foreign countries and regions such as China Mainland, Czech, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Korea, Spain, Taiwan, the UK and the USA organized their official pavilions. India pavilion had participation from machine tool builder (MTB).

Among the products that provided a wide choice to purchasers and also piqued the interest of those visiting the event were products named “China Debut” “Asia Debut” and “World Debut”.

Machine tool companies from India made impact at the show.

The opening ceremony was presided by Wang Liming, Executive Vice President, CMTBA, followed by a welcome note by Chen Huiren, President and CEO, CMTBA. Members of the Machine Tool Industry Association and related industry organizations from Italy, Germany, Japan, the United States, China, Taiwan, Switzerland, Korea, Spain, India, Britain, Czech Republic, France, Russia, Austria, Argentina and other countries and regions also took part.

On the showcase

CIMT 2017 vouched for the following four aspects: digital manufacturing and solution, intelligent technology, high efficiency and automation, and professionalism.

The show distinguished itself with the scale and kinds of exhibits that comprised machine tools, functional parts, CNC systems, measurers, machine tool electronics, tools, and accessories for metal cutting, metal forming, gear machining, special machining.

Knowledge sharing platform

CIMT 2017 meant more than the display and trade of the latest products and technologies. It provided a platform ideal for information exchange. Nearly 100 technical seminars and activities - such as International CEO Forum, International Conference on Advanced Manufacturing Technology, Enterprise day and News Briefings - were organised to meet the multi-level needs of participating organizations and exhibitors who found them to be conducive to discuss technologies, trade and business co-operation.

China favourable for Indian machine tool manufacturers

China has been one of the largest consumers of machine tools in the world, and therefore is a competitive market to sell in. All industry segments thrive here, with each sector having its own unique requirement in terms of specifications and performance. The country is now focusing on bolstering its manufacturing capabilities and has laid out big plans for the next decade.

Indian exhibitors displaying their latest innovations at CIMT 2017.

According to PG Jadeja, President, Indian Machine Tool Manufacturers’ Association and CEO, Jyoti CNC Automation Ltd, “There is still a greater need and scope to establish Make in India brand in China, it being one of the highest machine tools consumer of machine tools across the globe.”

“Indian presence in China is negligible compared to the local and other global machine tool players but there is a growing acceptance for Indian brands,” seconds Dr Vishwas R Puttige, Head, Business Development, Ace Manufacturing Systems Ltd.

The company was present at CIMT this year as one of the exhibitors and received a positive response from the customers and dealers for its products and solutions. “The CIMT Show has seen an increased presence of Indian manufacturers. Indian machine tool industry, especially the Ace Micromatic Group, has been able to penetrate into different market sectors winning the confidence of customers in terms of quality expectations,” he adds.

Sameer Kelkar, CEO and R&D Head, Grind Master Machines Pvt Ltd opines that CIMT exhibition is a very important show for establishing a brand and name in this economy. The company has been present in China for over seven years. It recently celebrated its 75th machine dispatched for the China market. “Most of our machines are in Automotive Powertrain Manufacturing operations for critical shafts such as crankshafts and camshafts. CIMT 2017 was important to showcase this experience and capability and meet new customers. We had over 200 footfalls including customers, business partners, agents, etc.,” informs Kelkar.

“The demand for quality machine tools is high in China. Indian machine tools which are customized or specialized, and provide a ‘turnkey solutions’ have a good chance of success in this market.”

Sameer Kelkar,
CEO & R&D Head,
Grind Master Machines Pvt Ltd

Made in India, employed in China

Chinese customers have a reputation of being demanding. Hence, it is important to establish a brand recognized for technology, reliability and good support services to meet requirements of mission critical operations, opines Kelkar.

Grind Master’s microfinishing machines for crankshafts and camshafts are highly sought after in China, with around
25 percent market share.

Visitors thronged at the booths to witness the latest displays during the show.

“Chinese machine tool market has enough demand to consume CNC machines in greater volume when offered at a competitive price with advanced technological solutions,” says Jadeja.

Apart from standard entry-level machines, Jyoti CNC’s automation series of machines such as TACHYON, TMX, TS 120, ATM 160 are more in demand in Chinese market.

According to Puttige, turning centers and machining centers are also required in China. Its standard 2 and 3 axes machines are consumed in high volumes. There is also an increasing demand for niche products and solutions such as the CNC twin spindle machining centers and CNC turning machines with built-in automation solutions.

The automotive industry in China manufactures high-quality world-class cars and the factories are also state-of-the-art facilities for mass production. Kelkar believes that high performance machines for specific applications are well received in these setups.

“It has been an industrious effort of 10 years by the Ace Micromatic Group to build the Brand India in China. Indian presence here is negligible compared to the local and other global machine tool players. However, there has been a growing acceptance for Indian brands.”

Dr Vishwas R Puttige,
Head, Business Development ,
Ace Manufacturing Systems Ltd

Positive scene for India

“Chinese machine tool consumption is expected to grow almost by 50 percent in the coming years, which gives a clear indication for greater opportunity for Indian machine tool builders to penetrate deeper in Chinese machine tool market,” says Jadeja. This edition of CIMT was a small progress towards this. The show has given a clear indication about the acceptance of Indian products in China.

CIMT 2017 vouched for the following four aspects