“There’s an exponential demand for high-end power sources that enables better welding with lower welding skills,” says Nimesh Chinoy, Marketing Director, Sigmaweld Electronic Devices Worldwide Ltd. 

How are the present industrial trends impacting growth in the welding sector? 

Increase in government spending on infra project organisation and economic reforms, growth in auto sector, metal industry etc. has registered negative growth due to poor demand. Government efforts in controlling pandemic COVID-19 will result in increase in industrial production. The government’s encouragement for MSME start-ups and export incentives, that is likely to boost demand. Also, in the next 5 years our GDP is likely to go up to the expected level and inflation will be largely under control.

With increase in urbanisation and industrialisation, what kind of opportunities do you foresee in the welding sector? 

Employment will have an increase in trends and will also result in boosting infraproject activities and employment will increase. The overall improvement in the environment will generate additional customer demand. Automation and IoT will be more in demand, and easy availability of internet will help in monitoring the welding parameters with ease. 

It will further ensure better control and quality for both domestic and export jobs. There will be good demand for high end power sources which enable better welding with lower welding skills.

How is Automation, AI and robotics helping you attain maximum precision while maintaining energy efficiency in your products and operations? 

Automation is going to be the key developmental factor in the coming month . Automation results in improved productivity, consistent quality and substantial cost reduction, and therefore the welding industry will also need to focus more on automation products for TIG, MIG, SAW etc., for automation. 

We are the machine builders, however, end application of Robotics, A.I & Automation is important to upgrade welders to operators so that they can produce repetitive and high quality jobs with enhanced productivity.

With the government’s aim to increase domestic manufacturing and have more localisation, what are the present challenges in adopting the same? 

Vocal for Local is the most important developmental plan by the government and large number of start-ups and MSME industry is encouraged for manufacturing import substitute products which can also result in substantial increase in timely exports as most of the countries have successfully controlled the pandemic. This further is expected to boost demand internationally.

What kind of policy/regulations/ investments support is required for the market revival? 

Different industries have different incentive plans including PLI scheme among the others that will go a long way in boosting demand.

How do you assess the growth prospects for the next 5 years in the mining and construction equipment market? 

It primarily depends on the future recovery trends of COVID-19; if it continues then very soon the country will grow and reach 12-15 percent every year.