For Parle Elizabeth, Haas is all about service, support and satisfaction, in its journey

The Indian machine tool industry is witnessing a sustained performance in recent quarters despite a slowdown in the overall economy. According to reports, the key user industries such as automobile, auto components, health, defence, aerospace and power are set to fuel the growth of the Indian machine tool industry. The industry's current market size stands at US$ 2.05 billion of which the domestic production makes for around 33 per cent of the total consumption.

Joining the bandwagon is Parle Elizabeth Tools Pvt Ltd, a leading manufacturer of tablet tooling, tablet press, tool polishing and blister change parts for the pharmaceutical sector.

Based in Vasai near Mumbai, Parle Elizabeth Tools Pvt Ltd has carved a niche for itself in the manufacturing sector with its commitment and dedication besides making the optimum use of advanced technology.

The company today successfully manufactures tablet punches and dies. While the punches are mainly of two types - D with bigger die and B with smaller die - the tablet presses determine sizes of the punches. A tablet press is a mechanical device that compresses powder into tablets of uniform size and weight. A press can be used to manufacture tablets of a wide variety of materials and to form a tablet, the granulated material must be metered into a cavity formed by two punches and a die.

The company also manufactures blister changing parts that help put tablets into wrappers. The two types of blister changing parts - Alu-PVC and Alu-Alu - are made based on the drawing. The Haas machining centres used by the company to manufacture blister changing parts and tablet tooling has helped the Vasai-based unit pose a stiff challenge to its competitors.

But the journey for Parle Elizabeth Tools Pvt Ltd was not always that easy and comfortable. The company commenced production in the year 1974 with the help of a conventional lathe machine. One of the primary problems with traditional lathes was that it required significant manpower. Additionally, due to the fact that the work was performed by hand, accuracy could not be guaranteed from the production of one part to another. They also lacked high end technology and competing on a global platform with a conventional lathe was rather tough.

"The conventional machine was able to give us the results but the consistency and volume was something that we were not able to achieve. Besides this, certain teething problems such as transformation of engineering processes, skilled labour to operate the machines, programmes to run the machines, appropriate cutting tools, environment conditions, and machine application options were yet to be addressed," Surti added.

"The journey was not very easy since the challenges before us were not only to introduce the latest technology backed by experienced manpower but also to stabilise and balance the output with other conventional machines. The demand from the market was on the rise and it was open for those who could support this demand with quality supplies backed with shorter lead time," said Mr Snehal Surti, General Manager (Operations) of Parle Elizabeth Tools Pvt Ltd.

The company thus eventually decided to invest in a CNC machine in 2001 and purchased its first Haas vertical machining centre (VMC) in order to do so.

Since then, the company has never felt the need to look towards an alternative machine tool builder. As of date, the company owns nine Haas VMCs and five Haas turning centres.

Mr Surti felt no short of thanking Haas Automation for being a perfect solution provider to all their problems "The people not only helped us in explaining the technology, but also provided us with application support at a much better level than any of their competitors. A cost effective solution along with speed was the need of the hour and Haas lived up to all of our expectations," Mr Surti quipped.

"We manufacture parts that require accuracy and repeatability. In fact, repeatability is emphasised more on our kind of parts than accuracy. When we decided to purchase a CNC machine, it was like a black box to us. It was not only a complicated matter for us but for many in the industry. One of the aspects that we were concerned about was the after-sales service of the machines. Indian brands were yet to establish and we were looking for a cost effective solution to our problems and thus turned to Haas," Mr Surti said, adding, "The most important thing about Haas machines is their structural rigidity and adequate power output at the spindle. Even at 60-80 per cent continuous loading, the machines never make abnormal sound and vibration."

"Our product moves at 54 different work stations and the consistency depends on the skill of the operator. Each process has to be balanced well in order to get the batch ready as per our requirement while maintaining the overall lead time. It was difficult to balance the capacity earlier, but now with the help of Haas machines the output has been consistent and is well balanced, thus making the planning and expansion projects easy to handle no matter how big the volume is," he explained.

Stressing on the excellent service back-up that Haas Factory Outlet - CNCSSIPL has continuously been providing Parle Elizabeth with, Mr Surti said, "The approach of Mr Terrence Miranda, the Managing Director, was service-based which suited our requirement since we are known among our customers for after-sales services. Their maintenance support is also unique. Besides, the Haas application engineers worked with us on the machine, tools, fixtures and CAM software that helped us reduce our cycle time. As a result, our productivity increased by 25-45 per cent."

Echoing similar feelings, Mr Rajmal Mehta said, "We always wanted to be a step ahead of others. We strive to create monopoly in the market through excellent products, dedicated service and prompt delivery since maximum customer satisfaction is what matters the most to us. We can't reach the top without these values. Achieving our goal is one thing, but adhering to these values is the reason why we are able to maintain our position at the top."

Other than the service support mechanism, the local Haas Factory Outlet - CNC SSIPL, has been instrumental in providing excellent spare part support and guidance to Parle Elizabeth, which has helped the Vasai-based company carve a niche for itself in the global market.

"We believe that our journey with Haas has just begun. Our management's vision is to achieve the leadership position universally by focusing on maintaining quality, committed delivery, cost effective products, innovation and continual improvement. Alignment of the team supported by technology is helping us reduce the gap rapidly in our quest to attain the leadership position. Our journey with Haas so far has been very good. Haas and Parle Elizabeth have been partners in growth, and this will continue further too," concludes Mr Surti.

For further information please contact - Melita Furtado, Haas Factory Outlet - A division of CNC Servicing and Solutions India Pvt Ltd. Email: melitaf@phillipscorp.com