From sourcing Taiwanese machines in the 1990s to building a service-driven machining business in India, Sanmech Autotech Services brings a story of continuity, resilience, and application-driven learning to TAGMA Die & Mould 2026.
The journey began in 1995, when Sanjay Nayak founded the company with a clear focus: supplying high-quality machines from Taiwan to Indian manufacturers. At a time when access to global suppliers was limited, identifying customers meant physically visiting chambers of commerce, referring to directories, and building relationships from the ground up. There was no internet to speak of. Sanjay Nayak would search through printed directories and contact lists to find the right people in Indian industry, one by one. That early effort created a strong foundation of trust, which continues to define the company’s growth.
There is also something worth noting in the name itself. Sanmech stands for Sanjay and Mechanical, a quiet tribute to the founder baked into the company’s identity. Originally operating as Autotech Machine Tool Sales and Services, the company was restructured in 2024 as an LLP and formally renamed Sanmech Autotech Services LLP, carrying both the legacy and the next chapter forward under one name.
A Leadership Transition Nobody Plans For
A major turning point came in 2015, when Aditi Shyamala Nayak, wife of the founder, stepped in to lead the business after his passing. The circumstances were difficult, and her starting point was as honest as it gets. “I had no technical background at all,” she says. “I’m a science graduate with a master’s degree in business administration. I didn’t even know what CNC stood for.”
She started from the beginning, learning basic machine concepts, understanding engineering specifications, and figuring out how a manufacturing-focused business actually operates day to day. She visited Taiwan to see the manufacturing processes firsthand. She sat with her own engineers to understand the machines her company was selling. And she made a point of visiting the company’s customers personally, explaining the situation and asking for their continued support.
That personal outreach was not a small thing. With nearly 400 customers already associated with the company, keeping confidence intact during a leadership change required transparency and presence, not just communication. The customers responded. The Taiwanese manufacturing partners responded. The internal team held together. It worked. “Whatever efforts I had put in, they gave results,” she says simply.
Focus on Die & Mould Applications at TAGMA 2026
At TAGMA Die & Mould 2026, Sanmech is showcasing CNC double column and single column machining centres from Taiwan. These are machines built for die and mould manufacturing, particularly for large components that demand rigidity and stability over extended machining cycles.
Sanmec’s role in bringing these machines to market goes well beyond supply. When a serious buyer is identified, Sanmech facilitates technical and commercial discussions, coordinates between the Indian customer and the Taiwanese manufacturer, and where needed, arranges factory visits in Taiwan so customers can evaluate machines directly before committing. This ensures what gets bought is actually suited to the application.
“We source the potential customers, arrange the discussions, and wherever necessary, we bring the manufacturers here or take the customer to Taiwan,” Aditi Nayak explains. “The goal is to build strong B2B connections based on the right fit.” The objective at TAGMA is to demonstrate that capability to a concentrated audience of serious buyers in the die and mould segment.
Solving Real Shopfloor Challenges
Sanmech’s strength lies in what happens after the machine reaches the shop floor. The company handles installation, laser calibration, commissioning, and complete after-sales support including preventive maintenance and breakdown services. In Aditi Nayak’s words, they stand responsible for the life of the machine.
This continuous field presence gives Sanmech something that pure suppliers rarely have: direct, unfiltered insight into what actually goes wrong in real operating conditions.
Two examples from their field experience show how this works in practice. Hydraulic leakages were being observed consistently across multiple installations. Rather than treating each instance as a one-off, the team identified the pattern, raised it with the Taiwanese manufacturers, and worked towards a solution. Newer machines coming in are now leak-proof as a result. Similarly, thermal expansion during peak summer months was causing accuracy issues as machine beds expanded with heat. The response was to integrate thermal sensors that compensate for these variations and maintain machining precision even in extreme conditions. Neither of these fixes came from a design review meeting. Both came from engineers working in the field, flagging what they were seeing, and following through until the manufacturer addressed it.
Improving Cycle Time and Machining Accuracy
In die and mould manufacturing, cycle time plays a direct role in productivity. Shyamala Nayak explains it plainly: cycle time is simply how long it takes to go from raw material to finished product. With conventional machines, that time tends to be long and the output inconsistent.
Sanmech’s CNC double column and single column machines address this. Because the process is computer-numerically controlled, the machine follows a defined programme with high repeatability. Cycle times come down considerably compared to conventional machining, and the accuracy and surface finish of the output improves alongside it. For manufacturers working on complex moulds or large parts, where a small deviation can affect an entire downstream production run, this consistency matters more than almost anything else.
Responsibility Across the Machine Lifecycle
Sanmech positions itself as a long-term partner rather than a one-time supplier. Its responsibility begins at installation and extends across the entire working life of the machine.
Field engineers interact with customers regularly, identify issues as they emerge, and coordinate with global manufacturers to implement improvements over time. This feedback loop is what keeps the machines performing reliably in Indian conditions and what helps customers get the most out of their investment.
Looking Ahead
As die and mould manufacturing in India moves towards higher precision, larger components, and faster turnaround times, the demand for stable and accurate machining solutions continues to grow.
Sanmech’s participation at TAGMA Die & Mould 2026 reflects its focus on application-driven solutions, backed by strong service support and long-term relationships. With a legacy built by Sanjay Nayak, carried through difficult circumstances by Aditi Shyamala Nayak, the company is a reminder that in manufacturing, continuity and trust are not soft values. They are what keep the machines running.
