Numerous possibilities for plate management with Messer Intelligent Solutions

April 1, 2023 7:05 pm

In a recent interview with Mani Narayanan, CEO of Messer Cutting Systems India Private Limited, he discussed the evolving Indian industry,  growth opportunities, and the key drivers of growth in the manufacturing sector. Narayanan also shared insights on potential opportunities for growth in the thermal cutting industry and how organisations can stay ahead of the competition through innovation and process automation.

How do you see the Indian industry evolving in the next decade, and what are some of the major opportunities for growth that you foresee?
The Indian industry has witnessed tremendous changes over the past two decades, and it is imperative to adopt these changes in order to stay competitive. With the Indian economy ranking as the 5th largest in the world, there are enormous opportunities for growth in various sectors. The 2023-24 budget has allocated significant investment capital for infrastructure development, particularly in railways. As a result, we foresee many opportunities for growth in infrastructure and related sectors.

What are some key drivers of growth in the Indian manufacturing sector, and how can organisations stay competitive in an increasingly digitised and automated environment?
The Indian industry has significantly improved over the last decade, especially in manufacturing. Productivity has significantly increased with advancements in process automation, digitalisation, and robotics. Industry 4.0 has played a crucial role in making organisations more data-driven, and technology-based startups have emerged to cater to the growing demand for innovation.

What are some potential opportunities for growth in the thermal cutting industry, and how can organisations stay ahead of the competition in terms of innovation and process automation?
The thermal cutting industry has seen significant developments in the last five years, with laser technology playing a major role in sheet metal cutting. We are witnessing more aggressive developments towards cutting thick metal plates with lasers, and there is a potential opportunity for advanced systems and attachments to CNC in mechanised plasma systems. Bevel attachments have become more affordable, and there is potential to offer bevel-attached machines to meet the upcoming market demands. With the need for process automation on the rise, we have prepared ourselves with modular products that can be customised to meet customer demands.

Can you describe a specific example of how your company has helped a customer achieve cost savings by adopting IoT and process automation?
Every customer has unique needs and requirements when adopting new technologies or features. At our company, we take the time to understand each customer’s specific applications and suggest the best products to suit their environment. We have observed that customers can benefit in many ways from adopting IoT and process automation, including increased effectiveness through data analytics, improved quality and consistency in production, and significant cost savings through automated material handling solutions. Our modular design allows us to customise solutions to meet our customer’s needs and optimise their supply chain practices.

Can you tell me more about the Messer Intelligent Solution and how it differs from other plate management solutions in the market?
Our company provides several products in different segments of the market. One of our products is OmniWin, an advanced nesting software capable of handling various nesting jobs and optimising plate utilisation. Another product we offer is OmniFab, which integrates all the data from OmniWin, Production, Machine and ERP systems into one solution for plate management. Additionally, we provide bevel attachments for applications in Oxyfuel, Plasma, and Laser systems, which serve various welding preparations. Lastly, we offer Messer Intelligent Solution, a completely customised solution for plate management, including loading and unloading sheets, auto storage and retrieval of plates, sorting of parts, and many other solutions for plate handling.

How does your extensive experience and application knowledge in the thermal cutting industry help in providing solutions to complex issues faced by your customers?
Messer Cutting Systems is a leading partner in the thermal cutting industry, having served customers for 125 years in the global market. We have extensive experience and application knowledge in this industry, enabling us to provide solutions to complex customer issues. Our innovative products feature state-of-the-art technology and cater to all three energy sources: Oxyfuel, Plasma, and Laser. Additionally, we offer after-sales support for infrastructure and personalised service support. We also provide material handling and automation solutions throughout India, making us the partner of choice for our customers.