05/03/2010
The economic crisis as an opportunity: carbide specialist CERATIZIT expands in India
Member of the Board Wolter inaugurates new production facility in Kolkata and explains the strategy of success |
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CERATIZIT S. A., Mamer, Luxembourg (headquarters), March 2010
Simply ignore the economic crisis – is this something a business leader can do? “Of course not,“ ensures CERATIZIT member of the Board Thierry Wolter, ”but being a global player in the field of sophisticated hard material solutions, CERATIZIT sees this situation as an opportunity. We want to emerge invigorated from the crisis and be more than a hair’s breadth ahead with our company strategy Focus Future. Naturally when doing so, above all we take our customers into account, for example with the successful extension of our production plant in Kolkata. The goal is: “In India we will continue to be among one of the top three tool suppliers as we are not only full-range suppliers, but also produce directly in the sales market.”
Up to now the carbide specialist has focused on mere carbide production, the tools for the Indian market and the Tiger States being manufactured at the Bulgaria plant. Wolter: “Bulgaria fortunately can boast of a considerable workload – for us an additional argument to strengthen further our India site by involving it in tool production. For our customers there and in the Tiger States this means above all shorter lead times even for larger quantities.“ The Board was deeply impressed by the quality of the tools which are produced in India. “It is really not so easy to meet the extremely high quality standards which CERATIZIT offers its customers. This is why I’m particularly proud of our Indian colleagues, as they were able to fulfil the quality demands in no time at all and - even more important - they were able to keep to them.”
Thanks to the more economic production this of course allows CERATIZIT in India to consolidate its positions in the competitive environment.
After a test phase of several months during which the Indian plant will produce simple turning tools, more complex tools such as milling cutters will be added.
What do those responsible in India think about the important plant extension in Kolkata?
Interview with managing director A. K. Sareen, head of manufacturing, Saranath Bhaduri and project leader Somnath Chakraborty.
Why and how was the project brought into being?
Sareen: The decision to start the tool holder project was mainly to cater to our local demand. Numerous options including various established toolmakers were considered and evaluated. The main criteria were meeting CERATIZIT quality standards as well as competitive prices. Our qualified skilled workforce, the documented quality and performance records of CERATIZIT India and above all the enthusiasm of the team for the new project tilted the decision in our favour.
How important is this project for India?
Sareen: This additional output will be decisive in boosting the sales of cutting tools in India, and the project will reinforce the position of CERATIZIT India within the CERATIZIT group.
Which tool holders are involved in the project?
Bhaduri: We mainly produce several different types of tool holders for external machining and boring bars for the MaxiLock S, P and D. We are also planning to increase the capacity by 200% in the near future.
What are the future plans for this project?
Chakraborty: We are planning to manufacture external ISO tool holders and boring bars in the first phase. Other more complex tools such as milling cutters and special tools will be included in the following project phase.
The carbide specialist CERATIZIT is synonymous with “hard material matters”
CERATIZIT S.A. is a pioneer and global player in sophisticated hard material solutions. The company operates from Mamer, Luxembourg. CERATIZIT is the world market leader in unique and consistently innovative hard material products for wear protection and cutting tools and is present in more than 50 countries. In the automotive industry, mechanical engineering, oil industry, medical systems, electronics as well as mould and die making customers benefit from this fact. With more than 400 active patents and 4,000 employees, CERATIZIT is your high-powered partner worldwide.
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