The AMTEX series of exhibitions has carved a niche in the world of engineering and manufacturing technologies.

When the 9th edition of AMTEX opens at Pragati Maidan on 25th July 2014 in a glittering ceremony, it will be a convergence of exciting business opportunities, world-class technologies and enthusiastic participants from across the globe on a single platform. Spread over four days from 25th to 28th July 2014, it will undoubtedly be a gateway to the world of opportunities, a show for the industry veterans and a prospect for the new entries. Amid growing pressure for reinventing businesses in order to remain competitive, the quest for newer and more efficient products and technologies is growing. Standing at the crossroads, the question is whether one can successfully make the transition?

"The AMTEX series of exhibitions is an attempt to create a platform for all the technology providers to interact with vital industry segments like aerospace, automobiles, defence, electrical and electronics instrument, machine tools, and material handling, etc.," says Cyril Pereira, Managing Director, Triune Exhibitors Pvt Ltd, the organisers of the show. The opportunity for exhibitors is enormous and the testimonies are assuring. To quote Suresh Patil, a veteran of trade shows, representing Accurate Engineering Company Pvt Ltd, "We came to AMTEX with high expectations. The market is picking up; our sales have increased by 62 per cent. For us as a company, AMTEX is a key trade fair, a real highlight. All the machines on display at our stand have prospective buyers and will be shipped to our customers immediately after the show."

Patil was talking about his participation in the previous edition. Echoing him, Nilesh Patil of Darshana Industries Pvt Ltd asserts, "My objective in coming to AMTEX exhibition was to find out about new process technologies, which has been achieved as there are several companies with their latest products on display here. Besides, everything here is well organised and laid out very clearly."

As preparations for the 2014 edition are in the final stages, the organisers are busy promoting the show across the print media and through hoardings at strategic locations. Claiming this to be the largest show of machine tools, machineries and manufacturing technologies in the Asian continent to be held in New Delhi at the prestigious venue of Pragati Maidan, the organisers stress that this will undoubtedly be the gateway to the world of opportunities, especially since it is also the first major show in the capital just as the new government is at the helm of the country.

The 4-day show, a bellwether event of India's most proactive players in machine tools and other engineering segments like fluid power, electrical/electronics, automation, materials handling and test and measuring instruments, AMTEX is supported by the National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC). A PSU established by the Government of India in 1955, NSIC provides subsidy to companies that are coming under the MSME sector to participate in the exhibition. Besides the who's who of the domestic companies, AMTEX 2014 has attracted participation from overseas players in the form of separate pavilions from Taiwan, China and Korea, lending further credibility to the show. There is also a sizeable participation from countries like Germany, Turkey, Singapore, Japan, etc.

The Indian Machine Tool Industry India stands 13th in production and 6th in the consumption of machine tools in the world as per a recent industry survey. The country is all set and about to become a key player in the global machine tools industry and is likely to see substantial high-end machine tool manufacturing. Industry experts say that the phenomenon is linked to the spurt in manufacturing, for which the machine tools sector serves as the mother industry. However, the slowdown in the Indian economy in general, and the manufacturing industry is particular during the last three years has hit the industry very hard, with a pile up of inventory and drying up of orders.

The Indian machine tool industry has around 1,000 units engaged in the production of machine tools, accessories/attachments, subsystems and parts. Of these, around 20 in the large scale sector account for 70 per cent of the turnover and the rest are in the SME sector of the industry. Approximately, 75 per cent of the Indian machine tool producers are ISO certified. While the large organised players cater to India's heavy and medium industries, the small-scale sector meets the demand of ancillary and other units. Many machine tool manufacturers have also obtained CE Marking certification, in keeping with the requirements of the European markets.

The Indian machine tools sector covers several opportunities for investment. Given the current gap between demand and supply, there is a clear need for adding capacities in this sector. The industry is moving towards increasingly sophisticated CNC machines, driven by demand from key user segments, such as, automobiles and consumer durables. Machine tool manufacturers need to develop capabilities to cater to this demand and investments in this area could yield long term benefits.

Although India is a net importer of machine tools, mostly for the high end units which are not manufactured domestically on account of economies of scale, the country also exports a sizable number of machine tools and not just to the developing countries. AMTEX 2014 is the ideal platform to provide the space to showcase them not only to the domestic market but also to the international market. The AMTEX series has in the previous edition witnessed the representation of 14 countries with exclusive pavilions from China, Taiwan and Korea, and participation from companies from USA, Spain, Turkey, Japan, Slovenia, Italy, Israel, Singapore, etc.

New Delhi as the venue for this prestigious show adds to the many advantages. AMTEX has now become the most significant engineering event in the National Capital Region adding to thealready premium stature of Delhi as home to some of India's oldest business houses. A large number of automobile manufacturing companies and their ancillaries are spread across the NCR, besides white goods majors and consumer electronics giants. The region is also a beehive of SME activities. At a time when the global industry is in a mode of complete expansion, NCR is proactive in showcasing its capabilities. Regions like Gurgaon and Noida have attracted MNCs who have in turn made way for R&D activities in this region.

The region also needs to build a stronger base to attract investments and make way for development. Delhi is not only an industrial hub, but also the seat of the union government and one of the fastest growing cities of the world. The city possesses the best infrastructure in India, in terms of travel, conveyance and stay with ample boarding facilities, excellent rail and road connectivity and metro rail system.

The AMTEX exhibition thus holds tremendous significance for all levels in manufacturing organisations - be it CEOs and entrepreneurs, senior executives, corporate planners and strategists, manufacturing managers and executives, shopfloor engineers and technicians, agents and dealers spanning the entire industrial spectrum.

"Since its inception in 2001, AMTEX has grown phenomenally to become one of the largest shows in machine tools, machineries and manufacturing technologies in India. In the wake of the successful shows in 2008 and 2010 at New Delhi, and the last edition in 2012 that attracted a record participation, we are confident of a very fruitful show next month at Pragati Maidan for participants and visitors too," concludes Cyril Pereira, the man behind the AMTEX show.

Exhibitor Speak

"AMTEX is the place where you'll find the highest level of innovation. This is where we can show our developments to prospective customers from the length and breadth of the country. The mood in the industry remains upbeat especially among the exhibitors."

- Satish Godbole, Head of Motion Control,

Siemens Ltd

"AMTEX exhibition is an important event for us - for meeting our existing and prospective customers for lining up new business. AMTEX is a permanent fixture in our event calendar and fully meets our expectations."

- Maulik Patel, Executive Director, 

Sahajanand Laser Technology Ltd