Accentuating ‘Make in India’ campaign with Weldor CNC Machines

CNC Synchro
CNC Synchro

The production of Optical inspection and sorting machines are solely done in India. Mr. Pethani talks about the competition Indian manufacturers face and how Vision Embesoft Solutions, as an Indian manufacturing company has managed to overcome the challenges of the development of new machines. Slowly the manufacturing environment is shifting towards India, and that is occasioned due to the Make in India campaign.

Nikunj Vaghela the director of Weldor CNC Machines in an exclusive interview with Machine Maker proudly said, “Our machines are made 100 percent Made in India.” 

Weldor CNC Machines have gained success in the market by manufacturing a remarkable gamut of CNC machines

Weldor is one of India’s foremost and most indigenous makers of sheet-metal working machines. Machining metal sheets isn’t easy due to their shape ie 2 dimensional, various thicknesses, and equally varied material characteristics. But without sheet metal forming into varied shapes to assist industries as far apart as heavy engineering, FMCG, food, storage and logistics, and the likes, nothing of value can ever take in any part of the world. In India, this problem faced by industry has been mitigated to an extent by Weldor CNC Machines of Rajkot in Gujarat.

In existence (and growing at a healthy rate!) for the last four decades the company is today one of India’s foremost in providing machines and solutions for CNC Press Brakes, Panel benders, V-grooving, Turret punching, Plate bending 3/4 roll, Pipe Punching, Section Bending, and Welding tables. So good has been all of their products that they are equally known in the industry for refurbishing and dealing in used machines.

Nikunj Vaghela

Weldor’s over-four decades of pioneering work including ongoing research and development in modern technology is a source of strength for every industry in India from coach building, steel furniture, refrigeration, control panel manufacturing, and textile machinery manufacturers to mention some. The name “Weldor” is taken with adequate pride and a sense of relief given that it is bringing the “Make in India” dream come alive by being the perfect import substitute that while saving precious forex and being held to ransom with doubtful products, is helping industry in India and abroad dream of newer and better products.

Testing its efficacy in terms of ruggedness and reliability are over 8000 machines functioning worldwide from India to the Middle East to Africa and these days, even beyond. Taking pride in talking about these machines is Weldor’s owner, Nikunj who lists his baby as being among the top three machine makers, a position that has brought further success to the organization.

Speaking of machines, the one close to his heart is the CNC press bed followed by the Panel Bender and CNC V grooving machine. Press brake, he elaborates is mainly used for bending sheet metal and is used by the likes of door manufacturing to mention a category. The next, that is, Panel bender is a comparatively high-output machine where the need is for bending upward of 1000 panels per day. This machine has its flexibility when it’s about sheet metal thickness. Incidentally, Nikunj and Weldor have the distinction of being pioneers in introducing this technology into India for the first time. Being a niche product, this line of machines was also exhibited during the recently concluded IMTEX 2022.

“There is too much dependency”, says Nikunj when asked about the challenges faced by manufacturers and engineers in developing new technology. Due to shortages and lack of technology, manufacturers are facing the problem of dependence upon foreign help. That being the case, Nikunj is determined to make its products purely Indian in every sense. He encourages manufacturers to make products in India and try to build everything in-house. Nikunj’s dedication to replacing global competitors and making high technology products in India is exceptional. “We are trying to fill the gap of foreign imports,” says Nikunj with immense pride as his company Weldor produces machines that meet global standards.

If you thought it was Nikunj who alone started this company, you could be very mistaken. That position goes to his father, Mahesh Vaghela, the brain behind the Weldor CNC Machine story. To Senior Mr. Vaghela, Research and Development in the field for the past 30 years has been central to where they are today.

The Panel Bender has the capacity of creating in excess of 20000 bends per day

One thing not many knows is that Weldor CNC Machines were also supplied to the government which like the rest came Nikunj’s way due to client trust itself the result of hard work and dedication. Today, after having tasted success worldwide, they are confident Weldor can face up to anything and anyone (including the Chinese) when it comes to quality at the right price. To this end, they try and produce everything in their machine in-house so that prices remain competitive.

“Our Prime Minister made us believe in India,” says Nikunj talking about the ‘Make in India’ moment. Earlier it was tough to compete with China but due to this initiative, Indians are more confident about manufacturing in India. Mr. Nikunj recommends that Indian manufacturer improve their technology and reach their true potential. Only then can David stand up to Goliath.