"Pumps use 10% of the world's energy; and it is possible to achieve a 40% saving in the energy used by the pumps, and thus reduce the global energy consumption by 4%," said N K Ranganath, Chairman and Managing Director, Grundfos Pumps India Pvt Ltd, while delivering his theme address on pumps at the Pumps, Valves, and Compressors expo held at the Chennai Trade Centre in Chennai recently. He also observed that water, power, and consequently food would be the major issues for the world in future.

Organised by the CII, the show, and an concurrent event Surface & Coating, was inaugurated by Dr Baldev Raj, President - Research, PSG Institutions, Dr U Kamachi Mudali, Associate Director, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, and Ravi Sam, Chairman, CII Tamil Nadu State Council, and Managing Director, Adwaith Textiles.

In the theme address on valves, N V Venkatasubramanian, Chief Executive, L&T Valves Ltd, highlighted that 40% of the Indian valve industry's production is exported. "The global demand for valves is $60 billion, whereas our exports are only $800 million. With more than a thousand valve manufacturers in the country, there is an immense opportunity for growth to cater to the market," he underlined. Though we have the technology and expertise in the country, it is essential to pay attention to the supply chain. "Foundries are doing well in the country. We have to work with them to improve their efficiency. However, the forging industry to support the exports is not well developed. What is needed is to work together and deliver to the global market on quality," he said.

IPF brings a pictorial representation of some of the stalls at the show.