Every conversation around the Indian economy has a mention of ‘Make in India’. The initiative launched by the Government of India in 2014 has emerged as a significant force in taking the Indian economy to new heights.
One of the sectors that has a key focus in this initiative is automotive. And why not! India is the third largest automobile market in the world.
Consider these numbers:
- The auto sector’s share in India’s GDP is 7.1%
- The industry generates employment for 37 million people
- India’s share in global R&D is 40%
- The country’s auto exports share is 4.7%
A key factor of India’s economic growth, the automobile sector leads in product and process technologies. It is divided into four segments—two wheelers, passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, and three wheelers.
The government laid the Automotive Mission Plan 2016 to 2026 with the intention to bolster the size, technological capabilities, enhanced institutional structure, and global competitiveness of the Indian automotive industry.
Additionally, supportive policy interventions by the government have opened up new investment opportunities in the country, bringing several new players in the auto sector. This has resulted in capacity expansion in the industry.
Over the last decades, the industry has seen five large automobile manufacturing clusters emerge in the country.
India’s automobile manufacturing clusters:
Machine tool industry is at the centre of the automotive sector
Machine tool industry stands at the core of the manufacturing sector . All manufacturing processes, including automobiles, require machine tools. Thus, the machine tool industry is playing a pivotal role in the Make in India campaign.
Bharat Fritz Werner (BFW) has been making steady progress in supporting the automotive industry through its machine tool products, solutions and services. Mr. Ravi Raghvan, MD and CEO, BFW, aptly said, “For Make in India to succeed and to enable India’s transformation from a ‘consumer economy’ to a ‘producer economy’, there is a need to achieve significant progress in heavy engineering and capital goods—both of which would require a heavy influx of machine tools to manage its manufacturing activities.” (Source: MTWMag)
BFW’s contribution to the auto sector
The auto manufacturing industry is getting increasingly competitive and facing several challenges, including the demand for low cost manufacturing, automated processes, high speed and efficiency, and above all, sustainable alternatives.
As a leader in machine tool solutions, BFW is playing a leading role in supporting many Indian and global auto manufacturing brands by providing machining solutions.
Furthermore, BFW’s proficiency for customised solutions makes it a competent partner to large and mid-sized auto companies. Applying additive manufacturing technology helps BFW provide unique, one-off solutions for auto clients, for example, for prototyping.
For instance, Case in point, BFW designed and fabricated customised case transaxle machining solutions for the largest Japanese car manufacturer, showcasing its ability to deliver tailored solutions that meet the client’s requirements.
BFW’s machining solutions for the auto sector
- Vertical milling machines
- Horizontal machines
- 5-axis multi process machines
- Horizontal turning machines
- Vertical lathes
- Special Purpose Machines
Moreover, BFW has laid a strong foundation and built robust capabilities to meet the increasing needs and demands of the automotive industry. For instance, the company’s new manufacturing plant in Hosur is primed to significantly scale its capacity, from 4,000 to 10,000 units.
Some of the other objectives of the Make in India initiative are job creation and skill enhancement, both of which are also important to BFW.
Conclusion
The Make in India initiative has made a profound impact on the automobile industry, transforming it into a dynamic and competitive landscape. From fostering innovation and R&D to creating employment opportunities and addressing environmental concerns, Make in India has been instrumental in boosting the growth of the automotive sector. As the initiative continues to evolve, it is poised to further accelerate the development of the automobile industry in India, driving progress and prosperity for years to come.
With BFW’s focus and efforts on developing advanced manufacturing solutions for the automotive sector, the company is confident and well on its way in making significant contributions to the Make in India dream.
