MMC Hardmetal India is a subsidiary of the Japanese conglomerate, Mitsubishi Materials Corporation. The company has been delivering cutting tools and integrated solutions that meet the customer needs, keeping with the latest market trends. Its portfolio includes a great variety of cutting tools for drilling, milling and turning developed to serve diverse industry segments like automotive, aerospace, medical, die & mould and general machining. Machine Tools World speaks to Prashant Sardeshmukh, Managing Director, MMC Hardmetal India, to get a ringside view of the company’s engineering prowess and cutting-edge products and technology solutions to meet demanding applications of critical industries. Excerpts:
Q. How would you introduce MMC Hardmetal to a new audience?
MMC Hardmetal India Pvt. Ltd. is a subsidiary company of the world-famous Mitsubishi Materials Corporation (MMC). MMC is one of the most trusted and globally acclaimed brands in Metal Working Solutions. We represent MMC in the Indian market and also operate for overseas markets like Gulf Region, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The company has completed 16 years of operation in the Indian market. It has its registered office & warehouse at Bangalore, and regional offices at Pune, Gurgaon, Ahmedabad and Chennai. We have a very strong distributor network across India. We are a powerful team of technical people committed to establish and excel in the competitive market through the best and innovative solutions, evolving means and mechanism for effective service.
Over the last 16 years, the company has successfully ventured into new segments and achieved significant milestones like:
- Setting up the state-of-the-art manufacturing facility at Aurangabad. The plant manufactures specials and customised tooling to provide real-time solutions to the Indian customers.
- Setting up the ‘Mitsubishi Materials Technology Centre (MTEC)’ at Pune. This hi-tech facility provides total technological support to the customers in the Indian subcontinent.
Early this year, we acquired business rights for products manufactured by ‘Moldino Tool Engineering Limited’. This company is well-known for the best quality die & mould products. With this acquisition, MMCI now has a wide product canvass and resourceful services to offer.
This year we have also won the ‘Best Metal Cutting Brand Award’ announced by The Economic Times.
Q. Mitsubishi is a formidable name in metalworking. How has your lineage helped you in fortifying your position?
Brand Mitsubishi is synonyms with quality, commitment and utmost care for the society and ecology. We inherit the legacy of globally acclaimed Mitsubishi Materials Corporation which has a glorious history of over 151 years. Each of our business functions and even a minor step involved therein revolves around our Corporate Philosophy: “For People, Society & the Earth.” This lineage has helped us beyond words. We embarked on the mission on the strength of trust, reputation and the goodwill of Mitsubishi brand. Most importantly the Japanese quality culture and extensive product range helped us to have firm footing in the Indian market. Our focus on harmonized standards which include effective supply chain integration has helped us to set a benchmark.
Q. How comprehensive is your range of manufacture today?
We have an extensive range of products and solutions which includes:
Advanced Range of Turning Solutions, which cover
- CVD & PVD Coated Turning Inserts
- CBN & PCD Tools
- External Turning
- Small Tools
- Boring Bars
- Grooving & Parting Tools
- Threading
- HSK-T Tools etc.
Rotating Tools which cover
(i) Wide Range of Milling Cutters & Inserts
(ii) Indexable Drills
(iii) Solid Carbide Drills
(iv) Solid Carbide End-mills
(vi) Exchangeable Head End-mills, etc.
Gear Cutting Tools, which include
(i) Gear cutters
(ii) broaches, etc.
Special / customized tools.
We offer solutions for different industry segments such as Automotive, Energy, Die & Mould, Oil & Gas, Railways, Medical and Aerospace. Apart from this we offer support for vibration & noise analysis, chip form analysis, structural analysis and provide Total Solutions for productivity improvement.
Q. Established in 2006, you have achieved a phenomenal growth in a short span. What are the factors that helped you achieve this milestone?
First and foremost is the legacy, the Japanese work culture, superlative quality standards and commitment. We have inherited all these attributes from our parent organization and have added Indian values to evolve the unique work culture to compete and excel in the Indian market. With sustained research and development activities we are able to introduce cutting-edge products ahead of time. We groom our team with certain vision and intent. We encourage our people for every small or big achievement, which keeps them focused and committed.
Q. What are the technological breakthroughs you have showcased recently with tangible benefits to the end-user industry? Can you single out one as the most outstanding development and give details?
There are plenty of things to highlight. But I can quote the one that is really outstanding. It is ‘Vibration Control Small Miracle Endmill’. This is the revolutionary performance for difficult to cut materials such as CoCr & Titanium alloys. It has been treated with a newly developed (Al,Cr)N group coating, which delivers substantially better wear resistance & longer tool life. The surface of the coating has been given smoothening treatment (ZERO-µ Surface) resulting in better machined surfaces, reduced cutting resistance & improved chip discharge. This is the next generation of the coated End-mills that promises longer tool life & amazing accuracy in machined surface, especially while machining difficult-to-cut materials like Titanium alloys, CoCr, Stainless Steel, etc.
TORX key machining of Orthopedic Implants: TORX key is one of the most critical areas to be machined in orthopaedic implants as it has small corner radius. Due to long overhang of the End-mills & smaller diameter, it often results in tool breakage and poor surface finish. To overcome this threat, Mitsubishi developed dedicated End-mill series that gives excellent breakage control & higher cutting parameters. This revolutionary innovation in medical machining introduced by Mitsubishi is proving to be a game-changer for medical fraternity and patient’s rehabilitation process has become far easier and quicker.
Q. Which are the industries you serve, and what’s your role in high-tech manufacturing as an enabler of high productivity?
We offer solutions for different industry segments such as Automotive, Energy, Die & Mould, Oil & Gas, Railways, Medical and Aerospace. We render extensive support and offer productivity improvement programs. Our contribution involves support in respect of:
- Testing of new materials and proving of processes.
- Developing and implementing innovative machining solutions
- Designing and manufacturing customized/special tools for customers
- Jointly working on special projects
- R&D support to customers wherever required.
- Imparting complete training to customers for improving their technical competence
- Offering solutions for difficult-to-cut materials
Q. Please enlighten us on your engineering acumen, facilities and resources.
Mitsubishi Materials are not just the tool manufacturers. We are committed to promptly responding to customers’ expectations and challenges with a dedication of a professional craftsman. We strive to be one step ahead of contemporary engineering, when it comes to technological developments. That’s why many of our products have proven to be the game-changers in the metalworking business. Our efforts are directed to become the only tool manufacturer globally offering “your personal craftsman studio” which is a unique service for our customers.
This is the place where you can find
(i) state-of-the-art technologies & products, and
(ii) revolutionary solutions. We have developed sophisticated facilities for Research & Development and have set up the world-class Tech-centers across the world. One of such hi-tech facility has been set up at Pune to facilitate speedy and innovative solutions to our customers.
Q. What efforts do you make to maintain your leadership position in a technology driven business in a highly competitive environment?
We always think of introducing ‘future-ready’ technology and are constantly in touch with the customers to identify and understand their requirements. As a part of our policy, we try to keep an eye on the emerging trends, challenges and feel the market pulse. Our R&D division and strategic development team are in constant touch with the market.
Our team keeps itself upgraded in terms of technical knowledge and skills and it remains updated with the advanced engineering practices followed across the world. We keep our team focused, motivated and committed to raise their own benchmark and achieve excellence in everything they do.
Q. Could you say something about your customer engagement programs if you have?
We organize multiple activities through our Marketing Division, to understand customer requirements. Our Sales Team, Application Team and our distributors try to focus on customers’ burning needs in order to offer them the best of support. As a part of our customer engagement program, we arrange (i) technical training for the customers (ii) conducting trials and critical processes at customers’ end (iii) conducting various productivity improvement activities, and (iv) arranging open-house sessions for them.
Q. Any expansion plans on the anvil?
Post COVID-19 crises, Indian economy bounced back quite well at a rapid pace. MMCI has definite plans to step up its manufacturing capabilities to improve services to its esteemed customers. We also have definite plans to add new machines in our Technical Center in Pune.
Q. What are the dynamics of the cutting tool industry and how do they impact MMC?
Indian Cutting Tools industry has evolved in itself as far as technology, innovation and creativity are concerned. Yet its contribution to the manufacturing sector remains unnoticed. However, in the post-COVID era, after the ‘Make in India’ & ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives were launched, the situation is taking an encouraging change because of the significant growth in many sectors like aerospace, oil & gas, energy, railways, medical and so on. This is going to give significant boost to the cutting tools industry. This change in dynamics will also help MMC to achieve better growth and move up speedily on the success ladder.
Q. What’s the shape of things to come in cutting tools, and how is MMC poised to take on the challenges?
The market size of cutting tools industry is estimated to grow by at 30% in next five years, thanks to increase in demand for metal cutting equipment from other fast emerging sectors such as defense, aerospace, automotive, medical and energy, etc.
Other advancements on the horizon are additive manufacturing technology which may bring down the demand for cutting tools in a few specific segments.
With the advent of Industry 4.0, cutting tools industry is expected to have massive opportunities and potential to make phenomenal growth.
