Arcraft although a name linked as a peripheral of fabrication industry, it has emerged as one of the most admired name in the field of Hardfacing & Cladding. With many firsts and import substitutes, Arcraft is well recognised as a Solutions Provider then just a manufacturer.

Any field where there is a challenging environment for the metal to sustain in service life, the name of Arcraft enters by default. There is hardly any industry where Arcraft has not provided services. Most prominently recognised sectors like oil & gas, automobiles, aviation to name a few where Arcraft has strong foothold be it India or overseas. We have a significant presence in Middle East, African continent, Asia-Pacific region with good presence in Latin America as well.

To mention honestly welding or fabrication industry is not part of the group of sectors recognised as the vital assets of the country. Let us not discourage ourselves but India does not have its own code/standards of fabrication (not to mention Boiler Code 1950). Being 5th largest economy with largest scope of Infrastructural and Industrial grown we still depend upon American or European codes/standards instead of our own. Mining is a sector where the origin of all fabrication is, however mining is well recognised but fabrication is not. It is very difficult to comment on how fabrication and welding industry will contribute to the growth of Indian manufacturing industry unless the sector comes in category A from its present level of C or D.

My sincere apologies but ‘Rat Race’ is an emerging trend. As a part of Global Village what is our standard of quality is a matter of dispute. From the core of our studies in school we have been taught to be book worms and work on papers more than hands on experience. We can make best of the documents but we fail to make best of implementation. What emerging trends India has developed on its own is a big question mark. We need to be first in making trends instead of looking at the west. Automation, AI, green energy, zero carbon etc is present trends the world wish to work with. With 1.5 billion population to feed and limited resources can India walk on the same path of developed countries? 

Lack of basic educational facilities to the deepest part of the country is evident due to average literacy rate lower than that of the world. The growth, trends are glorified terms limited to metro cities and II tier towns. Lower the tier and the villages, we lack even basic electricity and even if it is there its availability 24x7 is questionable.

Developed country is not only the per capita income but relates to education to all and to the choice, sense of country first, discipline but many more factors play a very important role in setting trends.

The field of metal surface treatment has a very limited scope of sustainability. However, there is a large amount of waste generated during or after fabrication and welding process. It starts with the smoke, dust etc and ends with lot of junk or scrap in form of metals. Waste management is a vital factor we need to focus upon. Lean management addresses minimum waste however this is applicable in case of mass production. 

Consider making metal structures used in infrastructural systems like bridges, airports, railway etc where major focus is on the convenience of the common citizen but at what cost. Lean management and sustainability fails here. Focus on health hazards is something we are neglecting. Humans are being treated as robots be it any industry. Healthy individual makes healthy country. Sustainability is relative and cannot be applied randomly to every industry. It needs tobe balanced with the employment and growth.

Let us take an example of battery operated car which is today’s most prominent ‘Green Engineering.’ A time will come where millions of batteries will become nonfunctional once their service life is over. What plans do we have in place to address this issue? At least today, nothing. A major concern a few decades ago was of e-waste management.

Still we do not have good policies in place to handle this. And even if it is there is our population disciplined enough to follow it. Our contribution to green engineering is reducing the power consumption, something we are focusing on be it production, products, services etc. Eco-friendly paints, replacing plastic packaging, economising on usage of consumables are a few steps we have worked upon as our micro contribution to the green engineering.

Yes, as well as no. As mentioned, there are few cases where sustainability and green engineering may not give the expected results. And even if it gives the cost of maintaining it, is so high that the product made out of it becomes commercially unviable. When it comes to our industry especially hardfacing where if compromises are done on quality it may lead to a disaster while using products loke flow control valves, safety devices etc. Yes, customers do insist on environmental friendly products and we do implement it as and where possible without compromises on standards and quality.

Again, fabrication is all about metals. What kind of carbon footprint is applicable there. Mining, foundries, steel mills cannot really function if they try to reduce carbon footprint. However when it comes to management of assets there is a large scope of reduction in CFp with office automation, ERP etc.

For a few sectors, absolutely yes. Let’s take simple example of power generation. Nuclear, thermal, hydro, gas, solar, wind are sources. Each process has its pros and cons. So which is the best? This will depend upon the geographical location, resources, atmosphere etc. Policies and consumption shall decide which country uses what source of energy generation and management. There cannot be blanket green or sustainability all over the world.

Scaling up may have different dimensions from product to product. Every product has its phases of ups but eventually it will be out of relevance one day. Novelty, improvisation, efficiency, quality, service these are few pillars of strong business. However, R&D is something we cannot really claim as our genes.