Surface Modification Technologies aims for global expansion: Dr Umesh Mhatre

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Surface Modification Technologies aims for global expansion: Dr Umesh Mhatre

Surface Modification Technologies aims for global expansion: Dr Umesh Mhatre

Interviews
Jan 13,25

In this interview, Dr Umesh Mhatre, MD, Surface Modification Technologies Pvt Ltd, highlights his company’s contribution to the growth of manufacturing sector and plans for IMTEX 2025 exhibition.

Surface Modification Technologies aims for global expansion: Dr Umesh Mhatre

The Mumbai-based Surface Modification Technologies Pvt Ltd - an expert in offering surface enhancement solutions using physical vapour deposition coating processes to various industries such as automotive, machine tools, railways, defence, electronics, etc – is now gearing up for a major global expansion. In this interview, Dr Umesh Mhatre, Managing Director, Surface Modification Technologies Pvt Ltd, highlights his company’s contribution to the growth of manufacturing sector and plans for IMTEX 2025 exhibition.

How is your company serving the manufacturing & machine tools sectors?

Surface Modification Technologies Pvt Ltd (SMT) caters to the requirements of manufacturing and machine tools sectors through advanced Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) coating technologies. Our coatings play a vital role in enhancing the performance, durability, and aesthetics and electronics. With over 15 PVD machines across three manufacturing facilities and a dedicated R&D center, we offer hard, decorative, and functional coatings customized to meet diverse industrial needs. These solutions improve wear resistance, corrosion protection, and product life, helping manufacturers to achieve greater productivity and sustainability. Our new facility in Germany further demonstrates our proprietary technologies and cost-effective production capabilities to serve the European market with innovative surface engineering solutions.

How do you analyze the status of the Indian machine tools industry at present? What kind of opportunities are you looking to tap in this industry (domestic and export markets)?

India's machine tools industry is evolving rapidly, driven by the rising demand for precision manufacturing, automation, and surface enhancement solutions across sectors like automotive, aerospace, defence, and electronics. The push towards Make in India, coupled with the government's focus on local manufacturing and export promotion, has opened up significant opportunities for advanced coating technologies that improve the performance and lifespan of tools and components.

At Surface Modification Technologies, we see strong potential in providing PVD coatings and surface engineering solutions to domestic manufacturers seeking cost-effective, high-performance solutions that meet global quality standards. Additionally, the export market presents opportunities to supply precision-coated components and surface engineering services to Europe and other international markets, leveraging our German operations to position ourselves as a reliable Indian innovator on the global stage. We aim to tap into sectors where precision, durability, and aesthetics are critical, helping manufacturers to enhance their products’ performance, productivity, and sustainability.

What is driving the demand for your products/solutions & services?

The demand for SMT's PVD coatings and surface engineering solutions is driven by the growing need for high-performance, durable, and aesthetically superior components across industries like automotive, aerospace, electronics, precision tools, and luxury goods. Manufacturers are increasingly focused on improving wear resistance, corrosion protection, and product lifespan to stay competitive in both domestic and global markets. Additionally, the push for sustainability and eco-friendly solutions has further accelerated the adoption of PVD technologies, which are environmentally safe alternatives to traditional coating methods.

SMT’s USP lies in our ability to provide customised, high-quality coatings through proprietary technologies developed in-house. We offer a comprehensive range of functional, decorative, and protective coatings that deliver cost-effective performance enhancement. Our state-of-the-art R&D centre enables us to continuously innovate and provide tailored solutions to meet specific customer requirements. Our newly established German facility reinforces our global presence and showcases our cost-efficient production capabilities using advanced Indian technologies for the European market. These factors make us a trusted partner for manufacturers aiming to enhance their product performance and sustainability.

How do you intend to tap the automotive & auto component industries? Also, what are the growth prospects in these industries with increasing demand for electric vehicles?

The automotive and auto component industries are key focus areas for SMT, especially with the growing shift towards electric vehicles (EVs). We see significant opportunities in providing PVD coatings for both metal and PC-ABS plastic components used in EV interiors and exteriors, where aesthetic appeal, durability, and corrosion resistance are critical. Our decorative coatings not only enhance the appearance of interior trims, control panels, and badges, but also improve the performance and lifespan of exterior components exposed to harsh environments. For functional parts, such as battery housings and connectors, our coatings offer added protection and thermal stability, essential for EV performance and safety.

In addition, Surface Modification Technologies is expanding its portfolio to include DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) coatings for machine tools used in automotive manufacturing. DLC coatings are ideal for improving the wear resistance, friction reduction, and service life of tools, which is particularly important in precision machining applications for auto components.

With India’s growing automotive market and the global shift towards EVs, we are well-positioned to meet the rising demand for high-quality, sustainable coating solutions. Our focus is to support manufacturers by enhancing their product aesthetics, functionality, and efficiency, helping them stays competitive in a rapidly evolving market. Through customized PVD and DLC solutions, we aim to tap into the growth opportunities in both domestic and export markets.

How do you plan to tap other end-user industries (like railways, defence, electronics, etc.) for future business growth?

Tools and components are always the best candidates for PVD coatings, and industries that rely on these tools and components are natural fits for our business. This includes sectors like railways, defence, and electronics, where we see significant opportunities, even though we are not yet deeply involved in these markets. Our R&D is actively working on solutions to tap into these industries soon.

In the railway sector, we aim to provide wear resistance and corrosion protection for key components like break , discs, axles, and rail components, enhancing their longevity and reducing maintenance. In defence, we plan to offer coatings that provide durability, thermal stability, and resistance to extreme conditions, essential for aerospace parts, weapons, and engine components.

In the electronics industry, particularly with wearable electronic gadgets and EV’s, we recognize the growing demand for PVD coatings to enhance the aesthetic appeal, durability, and performance of components. While we are not yet heavily involved in these markets, we are working to develop tailored solutions for these industries as part of our future growth strategy.

By leveraging our R&D center, we aim to bring customized, high-performance coatings to these industries, offering cost-effective solutions that meet industry-specific requirements and quality standards, paving the way for expansion into both domestic and global markets.

AI, digitalization/automation and sustainability are the buzzwords today across the industries. How are you planning to tap these trends? Which other trends are visible in the industry?

At SMT, we recognize the importance of AI, digitalization/automation, and sustainability as key drivers of industry transformation, and we are committed to integrating these trends into our operations and offerings. We are exploring smart coatings and machine learning algorithms to predict performance, enhance process efficiency, and reduce waste in real-time. Additionally, our R&D center is working on incorporating data analytics and automated systems to streamline operations, improve consistency, and offer customized solutions for industries like automotive, aerospace, and electronics.

To further align with AI-dependent industrial platforms and future demands, SMT is also venturing into PVD machine manufacturing. This move allows us to have greater control over our coating processes, protect our technology, and better explore market opportunities. By developing our own PVD machines, we aim to offer integrated solutions that enhance process automation, productivity, and customization for our customers.

On the sustainability front, we are investing in eco-friendly coating technologies, including low-energy, low-emission processes that align with global environmental standards. Our PVD coatings are environmentally safe alternatives to traditional methods, contributing to sustainability by reducing the need for hazardous chemicals and minimizing waste.

Other visible trends in the machine tool and accessories industry include the push towards precision manufacturing, driven by advancements in automation and smart manufacturing. There’s also a growing demand for multi-functional coatings that offer a combination of wear resistance, corrosion protection, and aesthetic appeal.

What are your plans for IMTEX 2025?

At IMTEX 2025, Surface Modification Technologies will showcase our new range of PVD coatings designed specifically for gear cutting applications, aimed at enhancing wear resistance, tool life, and performance in industries like automotive, aerospace, and industrial machinery. We will also highlight our "QuantaMet" research center, where we continue to develop innovative coatings and advanced technologies that align with automation and sustainability trends.

Additionally, we’ll present our German venture, “SMT Beschichtung GmbH”, which brings our cost-effective PVD coating technologies to the European market, and our in-house PVD machines, designed to provide greater control, precision, and automation in coating processes.

Our focus at IMTEX 2025 will be on expanding our presence in gear cutting, automotive, and industrial machinery sectors, exploring new collaborations, and showcasing our innovative solutions to meet industry demands.

What are your growth plans for the company in the coming years?

In the coming years, SMT aims to expand our global presence by strengthening our position in key sectors like automotive, aerospace, industrial machinery, and electronics, with a focus on gear cutting applications. We plan to grow our German venture, SMT Beschichtung GmbH, to serve the European market with our cost-effective PVD solutions and continue to innovate through our QuantaMet research center. Additionally, we are entering PVD machine manufacturing, which will allow us to offer customised and automated solutions. Overall, Surface Modification Technologies is focused on expanding our technological leadership, global reach, and product offerings to serve a broader range of industries, with a clear commitment to innovation, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness.