Wendt India is targeting high double-digit growth rate: Ninad Gadgil

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Wendt India is targeting high double-digit growth rate: Ninad Gadgil

Wendt India is targeting high double-digit growth rate: Ninad Gadgil

Interviews
Feb 21,25

In this exclusive interview with Rakesh Rao, Ninad Gadgil, Executive Director & CEO, Wendt India Ltd, elaborates on the evolving machine tools market and the company’s future plans.

Wendt India is targeting high double-digit growth rate: Ninad Gadgil

Wendt India Ltd, a joint venture between 3M and Carborundum Universal (Murugappa Group), is a manufacturer of precision components, machining tools, and super abrasives. In this exclusive interview with Rakesh Rao, Ninad Gadgil, Executive Director & CEO, Wendt India Ltd, elaborates on the evolving machine tools market and the company’s future plans.

Can you introduce Wendt India Ltd?

We are in the business of providing solutions for hard-to-grind materials, which includes super abrasives, machine tools, and a business unit that undertakes job work for high-precision components for our customers. Additionally, we manufacture vanes (for fuel pumps, hydraulic pumps, and off-road vehicles) and carbide inserts for some of our insert grinding customers.

What is the highlight of Wendt India's stall at IMTEX 2025—India's biggest exhibition for the machine tools industry?

Over the years, we have been regular participants at IMTEX. In the last couple of years, our machine tools portfolio has grown by almost 100 percent year-on-year (YoY). So, for us, IMTEX 2025 is an excellent platform to launch our newly acquired technology (through a license from 3M, the parent company of Wendt in Germany). We are introducing the QUATRO and CENTRO series of machines, which are essentially five-axis peripheral and cylindrical grinding machines for the carbide insert grinding industry. This is our key product showcase at the event.

Apart from that, we are also displaying products for other industries that we serve. A major highlight is our new high-speed vitrified CBN wheels for the crankshaft industry. We are the first India-headquartered company to develop these solutions, whereas most customers today rely on imports.

With the rise of EVs in both commercial and passenger vehicles, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are focusing on improving solutions for the entire transmission system. In the absence of an engine, OEMs are prioritising noise reduction from the transmission and bearing sides. Wendt has excellent solutions, such as our new range of vitrified CBN wheels, which offer significant benefits for crankshaft customers.

We are also launching Quantapol wheels—hybrid wheels made of metal and resin—for the round tool industry. Once again, we are the first company in India to develop and manufacture these wheels.

Another significant success for us in recent months has been in the fettling industry. We have developed electroplated wheels designed for robotic applications. Many customers today are moving away from manual grinding in fettling operations, as their clients in Europe no longer accept it due to safety and productivity concerns. Instead, they are looking for automated solutions. Our electroplated wheels are ideal for automatic or robotic fettling operations.

Last but not least, we are introducing Made-in-India wheels for the semiconductor industry. Since we are a local supplier, customers will benefit from reduced lead times and cost advantages.

From which industries are you seeing the most inquiries?

We have seen a significant increase in inquiries from the air compressor industry. Many air-conditioning (AC) companies are now looking to localise their entire value chain in India. While compressors have always been manufactured in India, the focus has now shifted toward producing the entire supply chain locally. We have already achieved good success in fuel injection vanes, and we believe we can replicate this success in compressor vanes.

Additionally, all global bearing manufacturers are expanding their focus beyond the auto industry and targeting sectors such as windmills, railways, aerospace, and metros to de-risk their operations. The non-auto sector is growing significantly.

We have also launched a new line of dressing rollers for the aerospace industry, which has been well received.

What is your growth plan?

We are targeting high double-digit growth rates for both our machine tools and super abrasives businesses. However, we are particularly bullish on the machine tools segment, thanks to our new technology acquisition from Wendt GmbH.

Previously, we were already manufacturing machines for the tungsten carbide (TC) roll grinding industry. Large and medium-sized steel mills with TC roll shops have been using our machines. Now, with this acquisition, we will also be able to serve the insert grinding industry, significantly expanding our market reach.