‘The major challenge is to tackle uncertainty post-Covid’

Indian manufacturing sector is witnessing correction post-Covid. It is evolving by the day with the sector getting a big fillip following unlock declared by the government authorities. From machine tools to cutting tools to metrology to software, the sector is getting the much-needed boost bringing in a positive sentiment.

In this context, CNCTimes.com, the gateway to the machine tool world, has been instrumental in gauging the market sentiments through a tete-a-tete with industry experts. In an informal conversation with Bhalchandra Chorghade, Editor, CNCTimes.com, the Vice President (Sales and Marketing) of Polyworks India, Mr. Amar Kulkarni shares his views on the recent developments and correction in the market.
 

Below are the excerpts:

Q. Tell us about your company? What is the product range?
A. PolyWorks India empowers manufacturers of every size to digitally transform their 3D measurement processes and maximize the value of 3D measurement data for their product engineering and manufacturing processes. Located in Pune, Maharashtra, PolyWorks India provides PolyWorks® smart 3D metrology software solutions and technical services–including technical support, training, metrology process consulting, and software customization–to industrial manufacturers in India. PolyWorks India is an InnovMetric group company, a multinational software development organization headquartered in Canada with over 500 employees dedicated to bringing 3D measurement data at the heart of enterprise manufacturing processes.

Q. According to you, what is the major change within the manufacturing sector, post-Covid?
A. In my observation, Indian manufacturing companies are gearing up investments in the technology sphere. Lot of newer investments budgeted towards upskilling and developing technical capabilities within existing manpower. There seems to be a broad acceptance that investing in new technological tools is imperative.

Q. What are the major challenges and is the industry ready to accept those?
A. The global uncertainty post-Covid is a matter of concern for many industries. Strategies are now including buffers for uncertainties from the political situation in Europe as well. But the industry will include that in their roadmaps and move along. Industries cannot stop for any such considerations. The challenge in front of all of us is how to tackle uncertainty and the best approach seems to be to take step-by-step decisions towards a defined goal. Gradual deployment of strategy is important.

Q. Which factor plays an important role while selecting a technology—quality, performance or pricing?
A. The most important factor is closeness to a company’s strategy. If the strategy is to increase quality, then selection of technology will be based on Quality. If the strategy is to improve performance, then technology adaptations will be in that direction. If a company wants to improve quality of components or products as a “Strategic Initiative” then the criteria will clearly be aimed towards “quality” of technology or product. The success of any purchase can be defined as its closeness to the company’s strategy that has defined the adaptation of technology.

Q. Where does the Indian machine tool market stand today?
A. I wouldn’t be the best person to comment on the overall machine tool market, however, from my recent experience of interacting with people during tradeshows, it looks like its poised well for captive market production at least for the next two years even under global uncertainty.

Q. Any other point you would like to highlight?
A. Nothing for now, thanks for giving me the opportunity to share my views with your audience.