The gears, gearbox and power trans-mission equipment industry in India is in good health thanks to the ever-growing needs of power components for various industries particularly automotive, feel most of the industry experts who participated at the recently-concluded IPTEX 2012. Any mention of recession, if at all it punctuates during the informal talks among the pundits of this industry, is far and few between or none. Even for a new entrant like MGM-Varavel Power Transmission Pvt Ltd, the market has brought only cheers. "Power transmission equipment for industries including cement, phrmaceuticals, food and automotives is facing an upmarket. We are catering to these markets," said Mr Krishnamurthy Ravi, MGM-Varavel's General Manager. This Chennai-based company, formed out of an alliance of two Italian firms collaboration in India, is only 10 months old.

German technology seems to dominate the power transmission equipment segment. Saacke Machines & Tools Pvt Ltd, a precision tools and tool cutter grinding machines company, is a 100% subsidiary of the Gebr Saacke GmbH & Co KG, Germany. This 5-year-old company's speciality is high tolerance hobbing machines, said Mr Uday Sahgal, Operating Director.

IPTEX 2012 attracted companies such as EMAG, Shanthi Gears, Bonfiglioli, Gleason, KTR Coupling, Bevel Gears (India) and Gears & Gear Drives. "IPTEX 2012 gives us good reference in India which is one of the top ten countries in the industrial production. Bombay is the economical capital of India and we are expecting to meet many important international visitors and potential customers," said Ms Andrea Genuini, Country Manager, India, industrial solutions business unit at Bonfiglioli.

Bonfiglioli is a multinational company in the field of power control and green energy solutions, since 1956 to meet the global market needs. The Indian production centre of Bonfiglioli in Chennai has crossed 12 successful years of operations. About 50% of the products manufactured in India are exported.

The American Gear Manufacturers Association (AGMA) and some of its members have extended their active support for IPTEX 2012 and its President, Mr Joe Franklin was happy that it attracted a diverse group of gear/power transmission manufacturers as well as equipment suppliers as exhibitors.

The used gear and power transmission equipment industry has also a big demand in the Indian market. Mr Joe Gibbs and Mr Herb Kaiser of GIBBS Machinery Co, USA, were all upbeat about the market. "Though we do business in China, the Indian industry is more quality conscious, knowledgeable and are willing to negotiate directly," they said. GIBBS has been in India for the last 10 years, and their interest is unflagging all these years.

The displayed products at IPTEX 2012 included gears and gearboxes, gear machines and tools, linear transmission and drive systems, metrology products, software, bearings, transmission belts and other mechanical transmission products. This market just reflects the well-being of the general industry in India, say many experts, who came to present papers at the seminars held concurrently during the exhibition. Their opinions focused on one aspect, ie: India is rapidly turning into a global manufacturing hub, thanks to the country's manufacturing and engineering capabilities, vast pool of skilled expertise and its size. These qualities offer it a strategic advantage for the manufacturing segment. A large number of international companies in varied segments have already set up a manufacturing base in India and others are following suit. So, the power transmission equipment sector is also going the same way. Other allied industries to transmission equipment were also present at IPTEX. Carl Zeiss, which has its Indian base in Bangalore, is the world leader in high precision optics. Carl Zeiss in India recognising the importance of the emerging India market and the need to get in close contact with its customers. Carl Zeiss started direct operations in India in January 1988. With over 150 employs around the country, Carl Zeiss India is strongly positioned today with the national headquarter at Bangalore and many branch offices all over the country.

India's growing economy needs quality products and suppliers for Gears and Power Transmission equipment and components. IPTEX provided a comprehensive platform for showcasing their product range, networking, exchanging knowledge, increasing their business footprint and transacting business.

Over the past editions, IPTEX has become the leading event for the gear and power transmission industry. As a logical extension of this position and the growth of digital media and marketing in business, IPTEX will now have a dedicated website with latest updates and news the year round, providing constant support, features and services to members of the gear and power transmission industry and other related disciplines. Its focus is on products and services in Gear and Power Transmission sector, to bring together knowledge, community participation and events that will help maintain a continuous interaction in the industry and help enhance opportunities for business and knowledge exchange.

Gearboxes are among the most widely used types of industrial equipment in the world. They are used as vital power transmission sources for nearly every kind of business operating in the broader industrial market sector. Today, as industrial gearbox applications continue to become more advanced, manufacturers are responding by producing an increasingly wide range of gearbox designs to meet their customers' evolving needs. Advancements in gearbox technology, especially enclosed gearboxes, have allowed designers to decrease the overall size of a gearbox while maintaining the same amount of power transmission capability Without power, there is no industry in India. In addition, with automobile industry leading the progress of India, the gear and transmission equipment industry is poised for a leap. Backed by stability and reliability of existing players in the global arena, the Indian industry has nothing to lose as most of the industry are net exporters too.

Meanwhile, the Indian gearboxes and geared motors market is poised to grow at a compound annual growth rate of (CAGR) of 17.3 per cent over 2010-11 to 2017-18. India's GDP growth of 8 to 9 per cent and continued government's thrust on infrastructure and urban development projects are expected to translate to a high growth in the end user industries including metals and mining, cement, power, water supply, and wastewater treatment. The Indian gearboxes and geared motors market earned revenues of about Rs 17,087.0 million during 2010-11 and is expected to touch Rs 52,076.0 million market by 2017-18.