Assomac, the Indian maker of globally appraised wire drawing machinery, has come a long way since its modest inception in 1989. Known for its cost-effective and robust wire machinery, the company in time has come to corner the largest customer base in India with its footprints spreading beyond.
“India proved to the world that the products and machinery manufactured in India are acceptable in the world market and the technology also suited them. We recognized globalization is both a reality and an opportunity. We are convinced that nations cannot prosper in isolation,” said Mr. R. K. Tyagi, Founder and Chairman, Assomac Machines Ltd in an interview with Wire & Cable India.
Wire & Cable India: Please brief us about Assomac Group.
R. K. Tyagi: Assomac Machines Ltd., a parent company of the ASSOMAC Group, commenced production of quality wire drawing machinery in the year 1989. Since the time of starting the company, Assomac has never looked back and is seeking ways to revolutionize the wire industry by offering its customers the sophisticated state-of-the-art technology. Assomac has got largest customer base in the country and is manufacturing the best equipment at the most competitive price.
WCI: Share more information about the product portfolio along with markets served.
RKT: Our manufacturing portfolio consists of – high speed straight line (SLM) wire drawing machines; OTO type continuous wire drawing machines; rod break down and heavy duty bull blocks; wet wire drawing machines; wire galvanizing lines (hot dip and electro galvanizing type); patenting, stress relieving and wire annealing (normal and controlled atmosphere type); copper coating and CO2 welding MIG TIG wire plants; spoolers, tubular/cage stranding machinesl; handling machines such as electric hoist and E.O.T. cranes; wire ribbing plants; dead block coiler (DBC)/vertical drop coilers; new acid free technology for wire rod cleaning; un-coilers; and, total automation of wire machines through a. c. flux vector drives/direct torque control drives.
The ASSOMAC group successfully completed various projects and supplied machines to various countries namely France, U.K., Ethiopia, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana, Uganda, Algeria, Zambia, Libya, U.A.E., Saudi Arabia, Oman, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal and many more countries. There are various serious negotiations in hand with the group for some ensuing projects in the Middle East and also some East African Countries.
WCI: Which are various the factors that led to the growth of Assomac Group?
RKT: This growth has been possible due to various factors adopted by our group. The first one is technical information. We not only provide the machines but also the updated information of the technology to the customer. This helps the customer choose the technology according to his suitability.
Another thing is the finance syndication. In some cases, we take up project appraisal, and depending upon the cost of the project along with nature and quantum of assistance required, we undertake financial syndication through various Indian and foreign financial Institutions. This has been particularly good especially when exporting the turnkey projects to the third world countries.
Market study, consultancy services, visits of overseas buyers the in-plant counseling, co-ordinate buyer sellers meet for specific products have also helped us to a great extent in exporting our machines. This is about our support service.
WCI: What are the advantages of your machines? How are you promoting your machines globally? What factors do you think inhibiting Indian exports?
RKT: About the advantages I would say, our machines are cost-competitive, and they can easily adapt to various levels of sophistication as desired. There are various institutions that have been the backbone for promoting our machines: Engineering Export Promotion Council (EEPC); Asian & Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology (APCTT), which is active since 1977, has transferred technology to almost 70 countries in various field; Foundation for Innovation & Technology Transfer, IIT New Delhi; The National Small Industries Corp. Ltd., who have helped in promoting Indian machines to a great extent in African Countries. Then, there are organizations like World Association for Small & Medium Enterprises (WASME), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), and Wire Association International Inc., U.S.A., who has helped us immensely in promoting our machines.
Although India is just a small player in the world trade of wire machinery, it has a huge potential to grow further. The country has deep interest in further liberalization of the international trade through the removal of the trade barriers, which inhibits the exports from our country. All this would further consolidate the Indian position to become a major player of wire machinery in the world like Germany, U.K., Japan, and the USA. The Indian machinery manufacturer has to learn to cope up with the multiple demands of quality, cost-conscious users of rapid technological change, and competition from imports.
With the globalization of markets and shrinking of economic boundaries, exports have taken a center stage in the last couple of years. There is a constant and continuous activity among the Indian wire industry. The stainless steel wire drawn on Indian machines has virtually flooded the developed country. In a bid to win over the international customers, it becomes imperative for organizations to focus policies on quality. The wire machinery manufacturers hence strived hard for entry into competitive global markets
India proved to the world that the products and machinery manufactured in India are acceptable in the world market and the technology also suited them. We recognized globalization is both a reality and an opportunity. We are convinced that nations cannot prosper in isolation.
WCI: Tell us about your technical infrastructure (facility, machine installed, R&D, QC capabilities etc).
RKT: Assomac Machines engages with the latest and state-of-the-art technology to design and fabricate the truly next-generation machines. The company is equipped with latest machines, both Indian and European, which help attaining the perfection to produce world-class plants.
The Design Department comprises of latest computers and sophisticated design software like Auto CAD, Solid Works, Pro–V, Autodesk, etc. to design machines, which are the latest and user-friendly. Our designed machines attract less maintenance and are durable, meeting the toughest requirement of the wire and cable industry. The company’s workforce comprises of many skilled and non-skilled workers, engineers, and highly acclaimed engineering and management experts. Assomac believes in nurturing its professionals; on the job training is provided on a regular interval to upgrade them to latest technology and manufacturing procedures.
WCI: Share your views on the Indian steel wire industry.
RKT: Engineering has changed the world we live in today. We lead a high-quality life that used to be the dream of our ancestors. Discovery of metals gave birth to civilization, and the race for growth and development began. From Stone Age to 21st century, the focal point of any civilization was growth and development of mankind. Modern machines and technology are giving newer dimension to human lives. Industrial revolution propelled the growth of industry and engineering companies formed the backbone of the modern economy and our country India is no exception.
With the changing economic condition of the world, India is being targeted as a high growth area of the world and lots of foreign players are making India a base for their activity. There is a spurt in the growth of steel wire sector as well as Indian cable sector. The Indian cable sector clocked an unprecedented growth of 60 percent due to a 200 percent growth in the control cable segment. There is a huge opportunity presented by the mandated ‘Electricity for all’ in India. Yet there is a challenge of meeting this inspiring goal.
Assomac’s thrust is upon sharing this added responsibility for supplying the plant and machinery under the targeted time frame. Besides handling a large customer base, we have big projects and orders in our hand from big names such as Tata Steel. There are other projects in the African continent and SAARC countries.
