Meiban Engineering Technologies Pvt Ltd is a solution provider in the field of automation and turnkey projects for manufacturing automobile and sheet metal components. In this interview, A V Srinivasan, Meiban Technologies Pvt Ltd, elaborates on trends in the industry and how Meiban Engineering is tapping these trends

How has Meiban Engineering evolved since its inception?  

Started in 2004, Meiban has come a long way, achieving consistent growth and accolades from its customers. Meiban Engineering Technologies Pvt Ltd is a solution provider in the field of automation and turnkey projects for manufacturing automobile and sheet metal components. We supply and service sheet metal machines which include CNC servo turret punch presses of various capacities, press brakes and machines with automation. In the metal cutting division, we supply Muratec high end twin spindle chuckers with automation for manufacturing automotive components, hydraulic components and bearing components. Meiban Engineering provides solutions for both sheet metal and turned parts from simple to sophisticated automation.  

What kind of changes are you witnessing in automotive and sheet metal components industries in India?

Last one year, we are witnessing a positive trend in automation in manufacturing of sheet metal components. Many sectors are being greatly benefitted by the government’s PLI Scheme, and that is helping the manufacturers to make the capital expenditure on high quality machines. Certain segments related to automotive components like exports & electric vehicles (EV) are showing a robust demand, and Indian companies are being identified as a probable supplier of quality parts worldwide. 

In sheet metal components, sector like white goods, air conditioning, electronic component manufacturing and telecommunication are showing upward trend. This is mainly for domestic demand.

How is the demand for automation from the automobile and sheet metal working industry? Is the demand for automation increasing?

Certainly, the demand for automation is increasing in automobile industry. In the sheet metal component manufacturing, the demand is slowly catching up. But, with the increasing labour cost and more standardisation of the products, more customers are expected to go for automation of the processes. 

What are the key challenges before the Indian sheet metal fabrication industry? How is your company helping them overcome some of these challenges?

Some of the key challenges are skilled labour, high fluctuation in the raw material prices, and supplier side issue because of logistics. To support our customers in skilling up, we are trying to organise proper training for the operators of our users, either at our Tech Centre or their facility.

How do you intend to take your partnership with Murata Machinery forward?

We are an Associate Company of Murata Machinery Ltd and we are in the next 3-Year Plan starting from this year. We intend skilling up our local staff to become fully self-sufficient.

What are the emerging trends in the industry?

The customers are now more quality conscious and they would like to finish the product with minimum handling. More and more customers are trying to offer end-to-end solutions. Manufacturing segments are looking for a high-capital investments in this year and coming year, mainly because of local demand and China Plus One Policy. 

What kind of new opportunities are you looking to tap? 

We are now adding non-automotive industries by offering them multitasking and process integration solutions. We continue to offer similar solutions to automotive industries. We are now more focused on promoting automation in sheet metal, and high precision environment friendly bending machine. We are expanding our activities on pan-India basis, and have our customer support team available at the nearest location to the customer.