Empire Machine Tools - Metal Cutting and Allied Technologies Division (EMT - MCAT) is a division of Empire Industries Limited, Mumbai. An organisation engaged in sales and service of high quality and high technology machine tools and allied equipment, the company has been actively offering its application knowledge on products and its services to customers in various industries. The products are mainly Metal Cutting Machines for tool rooms from world leaders like Hardinge - Bridgeport; Moore, USA; FPT - Italy; Mikromat and Kern, Germany; and Production Machines such as flexible manufacturing systems, machining centres, milling/boring machines, CNC lathes and other machines from world leaders like: Waldrich Coburg, Germany; WFL - Austria; TOS Varnsdorf - Czech Republic; Emco Maier - Austria; Reform - Germany; Goratu - Spain; Hoffmann - Germany; HNK - Koreaand; and Unisig - USA, among others. Mr P N Rao, Director, EMT - MCAT, responds to the IPF Questionnaire for an e-interview. Excerpts:

Empire Machine Tools has a long history of marketing a wide range of machine tools. So, is the company a 'one-stop solution provider'?

Yes, EMT has a long history and experience of handling of sales and service of machine tools mainly from Europe, USA and Japan. We also undertake turnkey projects such as erection and commissioning, prove out, production support and warranty services. We can be considered as a 'one-stop' solution.

What are the applications and which industry segments are you catering to?

We are mainly serving the following industrial sectors:

a. Automobile OEMs and Tier I suppliers
b. Power generation equipment manufacturers
c. Manufacturers of defence equipment (mainly ordnance factories), and
d. Aerospace and aircraft industries.

What are the current trends in machine tools industry in terms of Cost vs Features?

Especially given the fact that many features are actually rarely used but drive up the cost?

Customers are looking for the following, mainly:

a) Value of money in terms of Cost vs. Features. It is especially applicable in large and heavy-duty machines.

b) Sophisticated and state-of-the-art machines especially 5-axis machining of blades, impellers, dies and moulds; here the cost is not the problem, technology is the issue.

Does the auto sector amount to a sizeable chunk of your business? If yes, who are your customers and what are their preferences?

The major chunk for business is from power generation equipment and defence. In power generation, our customers mainly are BHEL, L&T - MHI, Alstom, Bharat Forge Ltd; and in the Defence Sector, our customers mainly are HVF - Avadi, Chennai, Ordnance Factory, Kanpur, and Field Gun factory - Kanpur. While for private customers preference is Price vs Performance, for customers from PSUs and defence establishments the preferences are strict compliance to specifications and L1 status.

What other industry sectors do you cater to?

Other industry sectors catered to are tool room, general engineering workshop and construction machinery.

How strong or effective is the after sales service?

We have a team of 18 after sales service and application engineers all over India and are trained from time to time at manufacturers works for effective and efficient servicing.

How do you compete with specialised domestic manufacturers of machine tools?

We do not compete with domestic manufacturers.

What are the company's achievements?

Achievements so far have been being the leader in supply of heavy-duty machines. We have supplied the single largest machine from Waldrich Coburg - Germany to BHEL - Hardwar, which is a Rotor Slotting Machine for slotting of electrical generator shaft. Similarly, we have supplied Millturn centres to HAL - Bangalore for manufacture of components with multiple operations in one set up (clamp once and the machine is complete).

How is the present business environment?

The present business environment is good. The customer wants focused approach rather than generalised information. Everybody is looking for more of value input than public relations.

What are the future plans?

As for the future plans, we would like to do more turnkey projects thereby adding value to our services. We would also like to focus more on technology rather than price.

(Contact: Mr Vibhash S Solanki (DGM-Marketing), Empire Machine Tools (MCAT Division), Empire House, 414, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai 400 013. Tel: 022-24937340, 24927066, 24973184. Fax: 91-22-24962380. Email: vibhash.solanki@ empiremt.com)