Team Pro MFG

IMTEX 2022 will give a holistic view of all facets of cutting and forming technologies including machine tool ancillaries. With all key exhibitors from the machine tool industry participating, IMTMA expects a good visitor turnout and B2B dealings as is the norm in any IMTEX show.

November 2021: Anbu Varathan, Director General & CEO, Indian Machine Tool Manufacturers’ Association (IMTMA), shares that IMTEX 2022 will have more than 600 exhibitors with country pavilions from Germany, Taiwan and Spain, in this exclusive interview with Niranjan Mudholkar, Editorial Director, Pro MFG Media

How is the overall Indian machine tool industry emerging in the post pandemic scenario?

With the government fast-tracking developments through various PLI schemes, Indian machine tool industry is exploring avenues in new and emerging sectors besides continuing to work with the auto industry which has been its traditional customer. Industry is also becoming flexible in adopting technologies which will augur well for growth.

Which are the key industry sectors that will drive the growth, particularly, for the machine tools industry in the year 2022?

The opening up of opportunities has given confidence for the machine tool industry to delve into doing business with various manufacturing sectors that have been identified as champion sectors by the central government. In addition to auto component and automobile industries, sectors such as aerospace, defence, railways, power, electronics, toys, earthmoving, furniture, medical equipment, new and renewable energy, construction, agriculture machinery, and so on are expected to drive growth for the machine tool industry in 2022.

What are your views about the Government of India’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative in the context of the Indian machine tools industry?

Government’s “vocal for local” call through Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative has brought positive sentiments. The initiative is expected to pave way for growth of domestic market through localization of imports and self-reliance on home-grown products. It will also be instrumental in leading to joint ventures, technology transfer and companies setting up operating base in India which will bode well for machine tool industry’s business. The notification by central government disallowing tenders for government procurement upto Rs. 200 crore will benefit MSMEs. Moreover, this is also expected to trigger the development of technology and provide solutions to public and private sector requirements. The industry is tuning itself to meet the requirements and deliver quality products and solutions.

How is IMTMA gearing up for IMTEX 2022 in the new normal?

IMTMA is conducting IMTEX, IMTEX FORMING, Tooltech & Digital Manufacturing 2022 as a completely Safe Exhibition by adhering to all the protocols and safety standards elaborated by the government. There are no “spot registrations” and pre-registration (online) is mandatory for visitors. Only those having taken both doses of the vaccine will be allowed entry and it is mandatory to upload vaccination certificates while registering online and social distancing in the halls will be practiced.

What can the manufacturing industry expect from the 2022 edition in terms of technological trends and innovations?

Companies will switch to using robots judiciously, automation, IoT and Industry 4.0, and adoption of digital twin in the machine tool manufacturing ecosystem. Sensorising devices, capturing, monitoring and analysing data for enhanced productivity will also continue to make inroads in everyday manufacturing.

What kind of exhibitor participation and visitor turnout is expected for the 2022 show?

The forthcoming edition of IMTEX will give a holistic view of all facets of cutting and forming technologies including machine tool ancillaries. At the moment, we have around 600+ exhibitors with country pavilions from Germany, Taiwan and Spain. The overall exhibitor response to IMTEX has been very encouraging although international participation is subdued due to travel restrictions and the spike in pandemic cases in non-Asian countries. The exhibition otherwise is in full swing. All key exhibitors from the machine tool industry are participating.

We expect a large footfall of visitors to the exhibition which is being showcased in an area of around 70,000 square metres. Visitors from automobile, auto components, aerospace, railways, defence, medical equipment, general engineering, infrastructure, earth moving, farm equipment, capital goods, computer peripherals, and many more are expected to throng the venue in large numbers. Overall, we expect a good visitor turnout and B2B dealings as is the norm in any IMTEX show.

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