Kemppi – The pioneer who brought digital technology to the welding world
The Finnish welding equipment manufacturer, Kemppi, has the distinction of having introduced the world’s first multi?process inverter welding machine in 1977. An innovator all the way, Kemppi introduced the digital technology in welding equipment in 1993. In 1997 it came up with software embedded welding equipment. Hardly five years later, it brought specialized softwares for weld quality management. A company that creates standards, Kemppi developed its own Welding Procedure Specifications(WPS) for on?site welding that comply with EN 1090-2
standard – yet another world record. Kemppi’s WPS are not machine specific. The company’s innovative designs developed keeping user?friendliness, ergonomics and energy saving in view, have won a number of awards. Kemppi’s presence in India got a new dimension with its plant in Chennai becoming operational and commencing production in 2011. Mr. P.K. Balasubbramaniian speaks to the managing director, Mr. Rashmi Ranjan Mohapatra to know more about this innovator and and the difference it makes to the welding world. Excerpts:
Q. Kemppi is known as an innovator in the welding world. What are the innovations you have showcased in the recent years?
KAS-3 has been again a first from KEMPPI to the welding world. Kemppi has been a pioneer in bringing digital technology to the welding world in 1993. We have brought in a comprehensive Welding Management for the Customers. It is modular in nature. We address the customers’ concern to get the best out of their system. This system is universal. The customer can work on this software with any welding machine.
Q. What is your standing today as a solutions provider?
Kemppi is a solution provider. Our solution consists of equipment, services and software. This makes our offering unique and our customers experience KEMPPI as a partner to their growth. Kemppi would like to partner with its customers to impact their P&L in a healthy manner and on a sustainable basis.
Q. ‘Weld quality’ has always been your prime focus area. What’s your contribution towards enhancing weld quality at customer’s end?
Weld Quality is a broad issue and has always been a concern for the customer. With KEMPPI they are at safe hands. Our WISE software addresses the challenges of the welders. The existing versions of WISE software are as given below:
- WISE FUSION : For controlled arc.
- WISE PENETRATION: For uniform penetration.
- WISE THIN : For thin sheet welding.
- WISE ROOT : For root pass welding in MIG process.
All these supported with KAS 3 will give the customer a complete management of its welding process – not just monitoring but real management and get the best out of the system. It will go on to add “weld quality’ for the customer.
Q. What’s your range of manufacture today & covering which all processes?
KEMPPI is focused on open arc welding process, namely MMA, MIG and TIG. Besides these we have power sources for Robotics. Our software namely KAS 3 covers all the processes too. It is quite unique as it can work seamlessly with all the machines.
Q. Any new products in the anvil?
There are many to come. Let’s reserve this space for the future.
1. Now that you have a manufacturing facility in India, any move to indigenize production of welding equipment here?
We have started producing the HiArc range from April 2011 in the Chennai plant. Today HiArcMig is the market leader in its category. The whole HiArc range is quite indigenous.
Q. What is the welding scenario in India, and what is the difference you have made with your presence?
The welding scenario in India is getting more informed. Customers and sellers are getting into more details – the knowledge and the demand is growing hand –in- hand. This shows that the competition is really good. Kemppi started educating customers about the inverter machines and the impact of that in their operations. Today we find more and more inverter machines in the Indian landscape. KEMPPI has taken the lead role in bringing this sea change in the Indian welding industry.
Q. What’s your recall value in the customer’s mind?
Once a KEMPPI customer, always a KEMPPI customer. The reliability and the fast response from us make our customer feel safe and secured.
Q. Now that you have taken charge as the Managing Director of Kemppi India, what are your renewed action plans to accelerate the growth of Kemppi in consonance with the market growth?
We have several plans to make the growth quantum in nature. Making the industry adopt Welding Quality Management will be the key thing. That will change the way we work and document in Indian conditions. Also, it will open up a lot of possibilities for green field projects like defence and aerospace. I, for one won’t look to impact the growth of KEMPPI against the market. Would steer KEMPPI INDIA to the blue ocean zone of ‘TOTAL WELDING MANAGEMENT’.
Q. What is the mark you have made in enhancing welding education in India?
We have several tie-ups with institutes and universities. These institutes/cells are known as ‘ADVANCED WELDING CENTRES’. We are in a strong position to impart welding knowledge in India.
