Piping to process industries is like veins to a living being. Only when it’s there, do you exist.
In conversation with Jatinder Singh, Managing Director of IMPACT ENGG as he walks us through his journey. Established in 1996, IMPACT ENGG provides Surface Grinder, Power Press and Grinding Machine. With a dynamic approach towards the future of the Indian sector, IMPACT is determined to continuously innovate and provide better quality products to its customers at competitive prices. With an experienced team, IMPACT is all set to bring changes into Indian industry. Their aim remains to ensure that the smallest component of their machine is of highest quality. To this end Mr. Singh makes sure that his team is up to date with the latest in industrial technologies.
Studying the international market in depth, Mr. Jatinder decided to design and manufacture a range of milling and metal-working machines on his own. While keeping patentable design and pattern in mind, they targeted for quality that corresponded and bettered international standards. Over time they have steadily brought up the quality of their products in accordance with the needs of their customers which today sees their quality being at par with competitors abroad. For 25 years, they have focused on the quality of their machines and worked in ways that keeps their Indian clients from approaching companies abroad! Yes, they are today the best available substitutes within the country.
“The biggest challenge is to maintain the quality of the products,” says Mr. Singh as he talks about how even the quality of little parts can impact the nature of the machinery. Earlier they used to import the bearings and now they are acquiring the same quality bearings in India itself. “Imported is the best, Indian quality needs to be cheaper is the wrong mentality”, condemns Mr. Singh, talking about how most of the customers are doubtful about the quality of Indian manufacturers. This mentality needs to change, Indian manufacturers are working very hard to meet the international quality. Mr. Jitender says that if they put an “Imported” label on the machine they will profit 50% more. ‘Made in India’ tag means that the price must be lower and the customer as the machine for a cheaper price. This is one of the biggest challenges Mr. Jitender has faced.
After years of innovation and improvement Mr. Singh was ready for the international market. Their first international exhibition was in Kenya thought the one that got them the right attention and got the ball rolling was their second international exhibition in Myanmar. In the latter they managed to sell their first machine in just the first hour of the exhibition with their second sale taking place the very next day! Such a healthy response encouraged Mr. Jitender to tap into the international market that came with its own bag of challenges though he was determined to take his business to the right markets abroad. This success though did not prepare them for the shock they got when the team did not get a visa for attending an exhibition in the US! Laments Mr Singh that “We are taking ‘Make in India’ brand to an international event but no one is supporting” about no support coming his way with respect to the visa issue, and says that Indians should help each other in such situations.
According to him there’s a very small customer base in India for ‘Make in India’ products and they too want competitive prices like the ones they get from international brands. Such a trend has a negative impact on Indian manufacturers. Pricing apart, there’s no awareness amongst customers of the range of products that Indian manufacturers are making today for which he is of the opinion that the Indian government ought to spread awareness and need to be active on matters regarding tenders.
Raw material prices is another area Mr Singh focuses on. According to him, pricing of raw materials vary a lot causing problems for manufacturers. “Government needs to focus more on the MSME sector and the pricing system”, comments Mr. Jitender regarding the pricing of the materials and different aspects of manufacturing.
His take on making Indian products competitive is that Indian customers need to support manufacturers within India and stop comparing the latter to global standards. The ‘Make in India’ campaign is to help Indian manufacturers, “If we can’t take our products internationally, how will ‘Make in India’ succeed”, says Mr. Singh related to the difficulties faced by Indian manufacturers to take their product on the global platform.
