CII's tool and hardware exhibition starts in Pune

For a developing economy which is building itself to lead the world into the future, there is no better companion than tools and hardware. Used in construction, development, manufacture, repair and maintenance of most products, tools and hardware is an often taken-for-granted, yet indispensable industry. To give the industry its recognition and help its integration, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has organized a three-day Tools & Hardware India Expo 2013 that began in Pune on 25th April.

The exhibition, held at the Auto Cluster Exhibition Center in Pune, provides a platform for leaders in the tools and hardware industry to come under one roof, share knowledge, showcase their latest products and also conduct business meetings.

The exhibition started along with a concurrent Tools and Hardware Summit based on the theme of ‘Tooling: Key to the growth of manufacturing sector'. The summit highlighted the importance, challenges and opportunities before the tools and hardware industry. The industry is on a growth path with the emphasis on capital investment by the government. However, it is faced the typical problem of disintegration in the emerging globalization scenario. Alongside, another discussion focused on the importance of new techniques for the machine industry and on enacting flexible labour laws in India.

Mr Angala Srinivasan, President - Tools Division, Sandvik Asia, who spoke of the opportunities and challenges of tools sector in India, emphasized on the importance of redefining labour laws to bring efficiency to the industry. "The issues and problems faced by the tools and hardware industry are similar to the similar to those faced by the other sections of the manufacturing industry. We have opportunities in all aspects of the business, product design, positioning, sales and distribution, etc."

Sanjay Bhondekar, Deputy General Manager, National Small Industries Corporation, explained the steps being taken by the Corporation for the benefit of the tools and hardware industry and also the benefits of the registering with the Corporation.

Rajeev Bhide, Chairman, CII Pune Zonal Council &Managing Director, ELANTAS Beck India Ltd said that it was necessary to pay attention to bettering tools as it was a key to enhancing efficiency and productivity in the industry. "Imagine the situation of a shop floor worker without proper tools or tools that are not well designed. Such is the importance of the tools and hardware industry where the productivity of workers, their fatigue, and output of manufacturing organizations depends on the research, and technology of the tool making companies."

The second day of the exhibition will see B2B meetings involving companies like Tata Auto Components, Alfa Laval, Finolex, PARI Robotics, Tata Blue Scope Steel, Panchshil Realty etc. Major companies showcasing their products are Akar Tools Ltd, Bhaigora Enterprises, Carborundum Universal Limited, Deeps Tools Pvt Ltd, Eastman Cast & Forge Limited, Fame Toolings Private Limited, G B Tools & Forgings Ltd, Ganatra Tools And And Technical Supply, Groz Engineering Tools (P) Ltd, Hilti India Pvt Ltd, Ingersoll Rand, Jhalani Impex, Masarovar Forgings, Oaykay Forgings Pvt Ltd, Osho Tools Pvt Ltd, Pneutech Engineers, Safexpress, Sharang Corporation, Standard Chartered, State Bank of India, Central Bank of India, Elgi Equipments, Taparia Tools Ltd, Dayton Tools (Techno Perfecto Engg) to name a few. With the manufacturing capacity and growth rate of the tools industry stagnating and declining in developed economies, shifting capacity to low-cost high skill geographies like India has become crucial, which is what this exhibition aims to achieve.

The exhibition on its first day attracted CEO's & entrepreneurs, senior executives, corporate planners & strategists, manufacturing managers & executives spanning industries such as Aerospace, Aluminum Extrusion, Auto Components, Automobiles, Capital Goods, Defence, Energy, Food processing & dairy equipment, Infrastructure Sector, Material Handling, Pharma equipment, Process plant & machinery, Railways, Research & development organizations, Telecom equipment, Tractors & farm equipment, White & brown goods, Windmill, power & thermal.

25 April 2013 Pune.