Solitaire : Centrestage with Centerless Grinders
Solitaire Machine Tools Ltd., based in Vadodara, is an undisputed leader in centerless grinders. The company which celebrated its Silver Jubilee recently, focuses on designing and manufacturing Precision Centerless Grinding Machines of superior quality, high accuracy and peak performance. It is known for its timely delivery, eminent installation services, training and after-sales support. Soliaire caters to the requirements of a wide array of customers from large auto ancillary MNCs to small precision job shops. The company is the exclusive licensee of Cincinnati Milacron, USA for manufacturing precision centerless grinders in India. Mr. P.K. Balasubbramaniian speaks to Mr. Ashok Sheth, Chairman & Managing Director, Solitaire to know the latest developments in the machine tool industry and the capabilities and initiatives of the company to serve the niche market for these highly engiuneered products. Excerpts:
Q. What is the scenario of the machine tool industry in India?
Indian economy is growing and the rate of growth would accelerate as the government becomes active in Infrastructure, Defence and Energy sector. Engineering and Auto sector would benefit with higher disposable income in the economy. Machine Tools would thus benefit to a large extent. The question is whether Indian Machine Tools Industry would gain in short term or would imports play major supplier role.
Q. What are the drivers for industrial growth, according to you? And what are your expectations from the new Govt. at the Centre?
The growth will come automatically as Global Industrial Leaders see the high potential of domestic market and India’s capability to produce Quality Goods. The expectations from new Government would be to remain active and not get dragged in controversial political issues. The reforms in industrial regulation regime, labour laws and control of corruption would be the key to growth in MSME segment of industry. It’s the time to act and move forward.
Q. What’s Solitaire’s niche and contribution to the industry?
Solitaire is a niche market manufacturer of Centerless grinders. It has serviced this market demand for over 26 years in India. Solitaire brought technology from USA and Italy and made the Centerless grinders with the same quality and capability to meet Indian market demands at Indian cost. Solitaire also developed newer models to meet the specific requirement of different segments of industry.
Q. What’s your present range of manufacture?
Solitaire Manufactures Centerless grinders to grind components from the diameter range of 0.1 mm to 300 mm. This is the largest range of Centerless Grinders being manufactured in India and among few in the world. The New Micro Centerless grinder would grind components thinner than thread and would focus on Medical Implements industry and precise engineering and auto components. It would be 6 axes, controlled by CNC and would be automated for loading, unloading and gauging, if necessary. The Bocca, Italy range of grinders produced in India have Hydrostatic Slides for Precise movement of slides. This was done for the first time in a commercialway in India by Solitaire in 2008.
Q. Could you give some idea of your manufacturing capabilities / marketing & service set-up?
Solitaire has two plants in Vadodara for manufacturing of 8 models of grinders and over 75 variants depending on component requirements. Solitaire is fully equipped with CNC Slideway Grinders, a number of HMC, VMC, Boring Mills, Surface grinders and all other required mother machines. The marketing and service set up is being done from plant with expert engineers and technicians.
Q. Who are your major customers? Is export a thrust area for you?
The major customers are in Auto Ancillary field and Engineering. Solitaire has a wide customer base in India and overseas. Export has been the major business of Solitaire from its inception. Almost 50 % of the grinders produced are exported to countries like USA, Italy, Australia, Turkey, China, Brazil, Argentina, New Zealand, Mexico, UK and others. Solitaire is of a strong opinion that Brand India must get necessary push from all Industrial and Government bodies to make the “Make In India” campaign a reality for the country.
Q. Do you implement value engineering / lean manufacturing to pass on the benefits to the customer?
Value engineering is continuously practiced by implementing better technology and finding new resources to improve productivity and enhance quality. The cost benefits are always passed on to customers as most of the development takes place in close participation between customers and Solitaire.
Q. What have to say on the technological innovations in your field? Do you keep in step with them?
Technological development is an on-going exercise. It is essential to tap new resources available around the world. Solitaire with its associates in USA has been able to keep up with the new developments in USA and Europe. The main driver for development growth comes from customers’ need for higher productivity while improving the quality and consistency.
Q. What are your benchmarks for quality and reliability?
Our benchmarks for Quality and Reliability are manufacturers in Europe and Japan. However, the cost has to be maintained at Real Cost + Profit. This is what has created demand for Solitaire around the world in industrialized countries.
Q. How do you look at the future of machine tool industry vis-à-vis of Solitaire?
Solitaire has a great future and may grow bit faster than Machine Tool Industry. However, Solitaire will continue to operate in its niche market where challenge gets more thrust than numbers. It is the passion to do something new, which drives Solitaire.
For more information
Web: www.smtgrinders.com
