Interviews

WITH CUSTOMER-CENTRICITY AT THE CORE

Ashish Chandra Varma, CEO, Prime Graphite Pvt Ltd, reflects on the company’s journey to its current stature in this insightful conversation with MMI’s Editor-in-Chief Soumi Mitra. He also sheds light on Prime Graphite’s association with Tokai Carbon, its pioneering role in the introduction of machined graphite electrodes in the Indian market, commitment to minimally impacting the environment, and mantra to stay ahead of its competitors.

BEING LIMITLESS

RV Gumaste, Managing Director, Kirloskar Ferrous Industries Ltd (KFIL), in the following interview with Soumi Mitra, Editor-in-Chief, MMI, offers an interesting insight into the company’s strengths, its position in the world market, future plans, and sustainability practices.

PRESERVING LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE

Mayank Varma, Business Head – Tooling & Technology, JBM Group, reveals the company’s important milestones marking its successful journey and shares his observations on the manufacturing technologies showcased at EMO, views on Indian machine tool makers, with insights into the trends, challenges, and opportunities prevalent in the machine tools manufacturing landscape in the following interview.

HELPING BUILD THE NATION

Chirag Doshi, Managing Director & CEO, Walchandnagar Industries Ltd (WIL), in a highly insightful interview with MMI’s Editor-in-Chief Soumi Mitra, shares an overview of the company, its pioneering achievements in the Indian Engineering industry, contribution to nation-building activities, journey of the company’s involvement in the moon missions, and the interesting initiative of building an industrial township for its personnel.

FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH

Dr Jairam Varadaraj, Managing Director, Elgi Equipments Ltd, in this thoroughly insightful interview with MMI’s Editor-in-Chief Soumi Mitra, shares the company’s evolution, highlights its key milestones and expanding global footprint, underlines the importance of innovation, R&D, and sustainability, and applauds the technology team, helping us gain a deeper understanding of the company and its trajectory.

COMMITTED TO ‘MATERIAL LEADERSHIP'

In the following interview with Soumi Mitra, Editor-in-Chief of MMI, Ananthaseshan Narayanan, Managing Director, Carborundum Universal Ltd (CUMI), a leading materials science solutions provider, discusses the company's vision and mission, its strengths, competitive strategies, growth partners, his perspective on the capabilities of Indian machine tool builders, and the necessary measures they should take to enhance their game.

BREAKING THROUGH THE GLASS CEILING

Dr Nandini Chakravorti, Associate Director, Technology Strategy, Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), shares her experience on the adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies and how, as a woman in engineering, she has overcome challenges, identified opportunities, and paved the way for other women to follow.

CHANGING THE GAME

Gopichand Katragadda, Founder & CEO, Myelin Foundry, shares with MMI’s Editor-in-Chief Soumi Mitra the thought behind the intriguing ‘Foundry’...

CREATING NEW AVENUES

In this exclusive interview with Soumi Mitra, Editor-in-Chief, MMI, Dr John W Mitchell, President & CEO, IPC, talks about the association and its support to the Indian electronics manufacturing industry, how he views our industry’s growth, IPC India’s 10-year celebration, supply chain challenges, and ways to turn them into opportunities.

Semiconductors: Tapping Sunrise Opportunities

Semiconductors are the heart and brain of all modern electronics and information and communications technology products. They are critical for almost all sectors of the economy now, ranging from automobiles, consumer electronics, communications, clean energy, defense, IT, etc.

With the Right Tools to Grow

Over the years, Godrej’s Tooling business has retained its position as a key player in the design and manufacture of tools and tooling equipment. Pankaj Abhyankar, Senior Vice President & Business Head, Godrej Tooling, Godrej & Boyce Manufacturing Company Ltd, shares with MMI’s Editor-in-Chief, Soumi Mitra the company’s current focus on the EV industry, its innovative offerings, the strategy to adopt Industry 4.0 technologies for sustainable manufacturing, and much more…

On a High Growth Path

Tarun Sawhney, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Triveni Engineering & Industries Ltd (TEIL), in this free-wheeling interview with MMI’s Editor- in-Chief, Soumi Mitra, offers us a peek into the company’s current happenings and shares the challenges faced and tided over during the pandemic lockdowns, the impact of the Government’s Atmanirbhar initiatives on its portfolio, and the benefits derived out of automation.

FOCUSED ON GROWTH

Manish Bhatnagar, Managing Director, SKF India Ltd, in this insightful interview with MMI’s Editor-in-Chief Soumi Mitra, talks on SKF India’s unwavering growth strategy, the impact of the growing market of electric and connected vehicles on the company’s auto business, its online store that offers automotive and industrial business products for retail and industrial buyers, and much more…

Innovations in the Sky

Parag Wadhawan, Managing Director & Site Lead, Collins Aerospace, in the following interview with Soumi Mitra, Editor-in-Chief, MMI talks about the company’s technologically advanced and intelligent solutions for the global aerospace and defense industry, the crucial role it has played in shaping India as a major aerospace manufacturing hub, its roadmap to expand its presence in the civil aviation industry, and the innovations in the offing…

Unleashing the Woman Power

Rashmi Urdhwareshe, President, Society of Automotive Engineers India (SAE India), in this free-wheeling interview with Soumi Mitra, Editor-in-Chief, MMI, talks about how is it being a woman leader in a primarily male-occupied industry, the challenges encountered and overcome with uncommon élan, SAE India’s vision, the future of green mobility in India and our machine tool players’ readiness towards catering to it…

Steering the Ship

In the following insightful conversation with MMI’s Editor-in-Chief Soumi Mitra, Dr Reji Mathai, Director, ARAI, talks on the institute’s focus, the expected rise in the demand of EVs, India as a hot bed of opportunities for global OEMs, and a lot more…

Embracing Change

At the recently held National Productivity Summit organized by Indian Machine Tool Manufacturers’ Association (IMTMA), Dr Gregory Watson, Chairman, Business Excellence Solutions, delivered his keynote talk on Managing Breakthrough Change for Productivity and Profit. Past President and Honorary Member of both International Academy for Quality and American Society for Quality, he is the only westerner to have received the W. Edwards Deming Medal from the Union of Japanese Scientists. Highlights from his presentation…

SOARING HIGH

Dr Udayant Malhoutra, CEO & Managing Director, Dynamatic Technologies Ltd, takes us through the journey of the company from its initial days to the current coveted position, and presents his view on advanced manufacturing technologies and trends, and what can A&D companies do to achieve digital transformation…

THRIVING DURING CRISIS

Pravin Saraf, President, Operations, Endurance Technologies Ltd (ETL), in this interview with MMI's Editor-in-Chief Soumi Mitra, talks about the importance of maintaining quality in manufacturing, the significant changes in the current market scenario, Covid-19 impact on the Electric Vehicle goals, and how the Indian machine tool manufacturers should up their game…

PUSHING BOUNDARIES

Dr Susanne Bieller, General Secretary, International Federation of Robotics (IFR), in this interview with Soumi Mitra, Editor in Chief, MMI, sheds light on the changes she has been observing in the manufacturing sector's acceptance of robotics over the years, the spurred interest in it due to Covid-19, India's current position in the adoption of the technology and its promising prospects

SEEING THE BIG PICTURE

In this free-wheeling interview with MMI's Editor-in-Chief Soumi Mitra, Rajiv Gandhi, Senior Executive Director, Productions & Member of Executive Board, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd (MSIL), offers his expert take on the impact of Covid-19 on the Auto sector, the expected changes in the EV plan, supply chain dependencies, and shares the experience of producing ventilators and the challenges encountered amid the lockdown…

Breaking New Ground

MV Gowtama, Chairman & Managing Director, Bharat Electronics Ltd, in this insightful interview with MMI's Chief Editor Soumi Mitra, shares the company's continuous strive for exploring diversification opportunities in Defence and allied non-defence areas and the reasons PSUs show stability in growth

Towards a Secure Future

In an earnest interview with Team MMI, Baba Kalyani, CMD, Bharat Forge, Kalyani Group, shares how the company has always focused on portfolio diversification for its growth...

Carrying the Torch

Dr. Roland Feichtl, President, CECIMO, the European Association of the Machine Tool Industry and related Manufacturing Technologies, interacts with MMI on a wide range of topics including the importance of free trade agreements for machine tool companies, India's significance as a promising country to start new businesses, and the opportunities that digitization offers. Highlights……

Driving Innovations

In an exclusive interview with MMI's Chief Editor Soumi Mitra, Dr Heinz-Jürgen Prokop, Chairman, VDW (German Machine Tool Builders' Association), sheds light on Asia's growing presence in EMO Hannover; the show's focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technologies and Additive Manufacturing; VDW's initiative to support start-up companies; and umati, a quantum leap in the world of manufacturing. Excerpts…

Evolving Through Change

With the auto industry undergoing an unprecedented and colossal change, thought leaders recently got together at a symposium organized by VDMA India titled 'Robotomation – for Robotic Automation Trends in the Automotive Industry' to reflect on the industry's evolution, offer their take on the shift towards electric powertrain and shed light on the current and the upcoming robotic automation trends in the industry. An excerpt from the valuable insight presented by Dr Abhay Firodia, Chairman, Force Motors Ltd...

Boosting India's Defence

In an exclusive interview with Team MMI, Saurabh Kumar, I.O.F.S., Director General, Ordnance Factories & Chairman, Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), Ministry of Defence, Government of India, shares how it is to shoulder a mammoth responsibility of his position, the board's contribution to the growth of the machine tool industry, indigenization of defence manufacture and India's gradual rising as a defence export hub.

All the Right Moves

In a conversation with Team MMI, Kamal Bali, Managing Director, Volvo India Pvt Ltd, points out to the need of the hour...

Making a Fair Point

Dr. V Sumantran, Chairman, Celeris Technologies, shares his insightful views on many a topic ranging from India's manufacturing goal, mass manufacturing, lean manufacturing, Industry 4.0 to his book in this free-wheeling interview with MMI. An excerpt…

Exploring a Holistic Perspective

At the recently held National Productivity Summit organized by Indian Machine Tool Manufacturers' Association (IMTMA), AK Taneja, Managing Director & CEO, Shriram Pistons & Rings, offered his 360 degree take on manufacturing competitiveness.

Leading by Example

As the recently appointed Director of Central Manufacturing Technology Institute (CMTI), an autonomous R&D Institute under Department of Heavy Industry, Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, Dr Nagahanumaiah has some plans laid out to take the institute up a notch. The new leader shares them and his take on the machine tools industry in this earnest interview with the team MMI.

Revolutionizing the Craft of Creating

Additive Manufacturing has ushered in a revolutionary wave in the world of manufacturing. Dr Sanjay Joshi, Professor, Harold & Inge Marcus Department of Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering, PennState, offers an expert insight into the technology that has made traditionally used methods of making things seem a far cry from it.

Towards a Bright Future

Nirmal K Minda, President, Automotive Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA), and Chairman & Managing Director, Minda Industries, sheds light on the highly upbeat Indian Automobile and Auto Component sector which is making its mark globally. He supports the case with heartening figures and stresses on the need to harness the opportunities around electric vehicles and associated technologies. A highly edifying read…

Leading for Growth

The Indian manufacturing sector is riding on a high growth trajectory. While it is busy setting benchmarks in the international sphere with regard to its manufacturing quality, we take the opportunity to speak to the industry doyen, Jamshyd Godrej, Chairman, Board of Godrej & Boyce Mfg Co Ltd and Chairman – Exhibitions, Indian Machine Tool Manufacturers' Association for an expert view on the present scheme of things.

“Hold the Vision, Trust the Process”

Hon'ble Minister of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, Shri Suresh Prabhu, recently addressed an august audience of distinguished leaders from the manufacturing industry, shedding light on the current economic and industrial scene of the country along with the urge to collaborate to propel towards the shared vision of a greater India. An excerpt of the interaction...

Creating Ripples in the Manufacturing Space

As we come close to witnessing the latest in manufacturing trends at EMO Hannover 2017, Luigi Galdabini, President, CECIMO, the European Association of the Machine Tool Industries & Managing Director, Galdabini SPA, helps us do our homework on the emerging technologies poised to transform the ways of doing business in the machine tool space.

Production Technology @ its Best!

The EMO Press Preview, held a few weeks ago, presented Modern Manufacturing India the opportunity of an exclusive interaction with Carl Martin Welcker, General Commissioner, EMO Hannover 2017. An insightful read on the bandwidth of the latest production technologies in metal-cutting and -forming machine tools to be displayed in the fair.

Implications of GST

India's biggest tax reform has finally arrived. Hailed as a potential game-changer for India Inc, Goods & Services Tax (GST) has evoked a mixed bag of responses from businesses. While some are all praises for the favorable changes in the system, others view differently. An insightful read...

On the Growth Path

A lot is in progress to elevate the nation from its current position. Shri Anant G Geete, Hon’ble Minister, Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, Government of India gives a glimpse of the state of affairs to Soumi Mitra. An insightful read...
  Facebook   Twitter   Linkedin   Subscribe