MTEX FORMING 2024: A SHOWCASE OF INDIA’S MANUFACTURING PROWESS

IMTEX FORMING 2024 presented itself as a comprehensive display of the advancements in metal forming and manufacturing technologies. While the groundbreaking indigenous innovations served as a confirmation that we are nearing the goal of becoming a coveted manufacturing hub, the enthusiastic international participation proved us as a market with immense potential.

IMTEX FORMING 2024 & Tooltech 2024 stand as a crucial platform to showcase our strengths in manufacturing for the Indian Machine Tools sector to grow and contribute to our holistic progress. Asia’s largest exhibition on metal forming technologies, organized by Indian Machine Tools Manufacturers’ Association (IMTMA), held from January 19-23, 2024, at Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC), concluded successfully.

The exhibition featured over 625 exhibitors from 20 countries in an exhibition space of around 45,000 sq mt, covering 5 exhibition halls.

Around 1,000 trade delegation members and 40,000 visitors attended IMTEX FORMING 2024. The exhibition portfolio has enlarged with the entry of Weldexpo, an exhibition for welding, cutting, and joining in association with the Indian Institute of Welding (IIW) as a concurrent show alongside Tooltech and Digital Manufacturing.

The event concluded with 80 percent growth in size and business orders worth `550 Cr and enquiries of `5,000 Cr.

Opening ceremony

Set against the backdrop of state-of-the-art machinery and visionary insights, the inaugural ceremony of IMTEX FORMING 2024 & Tooltech 2024 instilled a sense of optimism as industry experts supported their insightful deliberations on the trends and technologies within the metal forming sector with awe-inspiring numbers, echoing the industry's unwavering commitment to progress.

The eighth edition of IMTMA’s flagship event and Asia’s largest exhibition on metal forming and manufacturing technologies, IMTEX FORMING & Tooltech, was inaugurated with the traditional lamp lighting ceremony by the Guest of Honor CK Venkataraman, Managing Director, Titan Company Ltd and Chief Guest Geetanjali Kirloskar, Chairperson & Managing Director, Kirloskar Systems Pvt Ltd. Other dignitaries present included Jamshyd N Godrej, Chairman, Exhibitions – IMTMA; Rajendra S Rajamane, President, IMTMA; Mohini Kelkar, Vice President, IMTMA; and Jibak Dasgupta, DG & CEO, IMTMA.

Rajamane emphasized the need for the Machine Tool industry to diversify beyond serving traditional sectors like automobiles. “The focus should be on producing highquality, reliable products that can compete globally and encouraging innovation to gain a competitive edge. The industry is urged to develop energy-efficient, multitasking machines with an eye on exporting to global markets,” he added.

Making the right connect

Beefing up industry-academia bond 

Organized by Indian Machine Tool Manufacturers’ Association, the manufacturing technology quiz was focused on emerging technologies. The quiz was woven around the theme of the future of manufacturing. Participants from several engineering colleges took part in the competition. M. S. Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, Bangalore, bagged the first position and a cash prize of `10,000 and Chennai Institute of Technology, second position and a cash prize of `5,000 respectively.

In a momentous celebration at IMTEX FORMING 2024, the i2 Academia Square witnessed the acknowledgment of outstanding students, marking an inspiring chapter in IMTMA’s commitment to nurturing future talent. The winning colleges included: SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur (First Prize); KLS Gogte Institute of Technology, Belagavi, Karnataka (Second Prize); Chennai Institute of Technology, Chennai (Third Prize); Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amritapuri (Consolation Prize First); and Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (Consolation Prize Second).

The i2 Academia Square is a flagship initiative of IMTMA to promote collaboration between industries and academia, develop transformative new technologies, and understand each other’s contexts and challenges.

Jagruti, raising awareness is key

The Jagruti – IMTMA Youth Program, held during IMTEX, is to familiarize the engineering students with the machine tool industry and the technological developments in the industry segment. The two-day program during IMTEX FORMING 2024 attracted 26 engineering college students from different parts of India.

Rewards and recognition

In a grand ceremony at the event, IMTMA announced two prestigious awards: IMTMA Export Performance Award and IMTMA Best Design Award. These awards, instituted in 2023, honor member companies that have excelled in machine tool exports and demonstrated excellent indigenously designed products. While ISGEC Heavy Engineering Ltd received the award in the Metal Forming Manufacturer Category, Jyoti CNC Automation Ltd bagged the award in the Metal Cutting Manufacturer Category. Electropneumatics & Hydraulics (I) Pvt Ltd was presented with the award for the CNC hybrid bender model 50CNC5X3. IND-SPHINX Precision Ltd received the award in the Sub-System/Accessories Manufacturer Category. ITL Industries Ltd received the Jury Appreciation Award. Valgro India Ltd received the award for the Deburring edge rounding and scale removal machine: SLR2BD.

Encouraging self-reliance in India’s forming technology

Held a day prior to the show, the International Seminar on Forming Technology (ISFT) 2024 laid the foundation for a comprehensive exploration of forming technology innovations and applications. The sessions highlighted the Metal Forming industry’s challenges and potential, particularly in light of the indigenization of India’s defence.

Exhibitors’ POV

Reflecting on the success of IMTEX FORMING 2024, Niraj Seth, President, AMADA India Pvt Ltd, noted that there was a considerable increase in the visitors’ footfall as compared to the previous edition.

This time the company, under the theme ‘Future Technologies with AMADA’, exhibited several innovations for the Indian sheet metal market. “Our machinery, offering higher productivity but also conforming to sustainability standards, drew considerable attention from customers. Notably, VENTIS with LBC technology and Bending with automation were the highlights of our display.”

Seth pointed out that although it’s customary to measure the business results from trade events after 6 months, they have already closed orders worth `500 million.

Talking about his experience at the show, Siddhu Jolad, Managing Director, RadCAM Technologies Pvt Ltd, shared that they received a substantial number of visitors in the event’s five days. “We met around 1,000 prospects/customers comprising about 15 percent of potential customers and around 20 percent of existing customers. This promises a good amount of conversion,” he stressed. 

Tushar Pawar, National Head, AMPCO METAL India Pvt Ltd, remarked, “IMTEX FORMING 2024 attracted a diverse range of professionals from various sectors, all eager to   explore the latest innovations and solutions in the manufacturing sector. The sheer magnitude of the visitor footfall at IMTEX 2024 spoke volumes about the exhibition’s impact and relevance within the industry.”

“Our primary expertise lies in the production of wiper dies and mandrels, which garnered substantial interest and interaction from visitors during the exhibition," he explained.

For Pankti Agarwal, Director, Laser Technologies Pvt Ltd (LTPL), IMTEX FORMING 2024 was a phenomenal success in terms of visitor engagement and interest. “We are proud to report a substantial footfall at our state-of-the-art booth, which was notably the largest at the event. The influx of visitors translated into a satisfying conversion rate, striking a healthy balance between potential and existing customers. Our commitment to innovation and quality was met with an enthusiastic response,” she noted.

“The business prospects generated at IMTEX FORMING 2024 have been remarkable, with over 800 leads, indicating strong future partnerships and sales potential. Our team at LTPL is thrilled with the outcomes of our participation and the opportunities it has unlocked for the future,” she added.

Success stories galore

IMTEX FORMING 2024 was a significant success for SLTL Group too. The company witnessed a substantial increase in visitor footfall compared to previous years. Sharing the experience at the event, Maulik Patel, Executive Director, Sahajanand Laser Technology Ltd, said that the Ultra-high power 2D laser cutting machine – Infinity F1 and the tube cutting machine – T6200, both launched with intelligent features and automation, garnered significant attention and were quickly adopted by their clients due to the machines advanced features, precision, and efficiency.

Patel expressed satisfaction with the remarkable surge in activity. “IMTEX FORMING 2024 resulted in a notable increase in inquiries, orders, and partnerships for SLTL," he noted. “The tune of business produced at the event showed a notable increase, indicating strong growth and consumer trust in our innovative solutions. This event served as one of the best platforms to showcase our innovative products and technologies to a diverse audience, resulting in effective interactions and genuine business opportunities. It proved to be crucial in growing our market presence and propelling SLTL forward, both in terms of gaining new clients and fortifying ties with current ones.”

Mani Narayanan, Managing Director, Messer Cutting Systems India Pvt Ltd, expressed satisfaction with the level of interest and engagement received at IMTEX FORMING 2024. He shared, “As the sole provider of thermal plate cutting solutions, including Oxyfuel, Plasma, and Laser technologies, we showcased our cutting-edge offerings, notably the ELEMENT 400 laser machine with an  IPG 20kW laser power source and the FiberLight 3kW laser machine equipped with an Automated Plate Handling Solution for thermal cutting.”

The company received a significant number of inquiries for the bevel machine ELEMENT 400, featuring an IPG 20kW laser power source, along with the FiberLight 3kW laser machine equipped with a compact material handling solution. “We received positive feedback for both of these machines, reflecting their performance. Additionally, our Oxyfuel equipment was prominently featured at the entrance. We have received a substantial volume of feedback regarding ELEMENT 400.”

TV Mohan, Country Head & MD – India, ANDREAS MAIER Workholding Technology Pvt Ltd, noted an increase in the quality and seriousness of the visitors as compared to the previous editions of the event. He also observed a shift in the approach to CAPEX and OPEX requirements among attendees.

The company had around 20 to 25 customers per day enquiring about its Guethle product programs and solutions for better shop productivity.

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

---

---