Rhino Machines, one of the key players dedicated to enhancing the efficiency and performance of the foundry industry, especially in the Green Sand Process, is gearing up for participation in IFEX 2024—an International Exhibition on Foundry Technology, Equipment, Supplies, and Services. Scheduled from 2nd to 4th February 2024 at the Bengaluru International Exhibition Centre, IFEX 2024 is the 20th International Exhibition on Foundry Technology, concurrent with the 72nd Indian Foundry Congress. This event provides a platform for both Indian and overseas companies to showcase their cutting-edge technologies and services, fostering new business opportunities. Rhino Machines will be exhibiting their new cutting-edge repurposing technology to address foundry and plastic waste disposal.
Having served the foundry industry since 1983, Rhino Machines has been a driving force, initially as a project consultancy firm with a clear mission to design, engineer, and incubate solutions for improving the efficiency and performance of the foundry industry, particularly in the Green Sand Process. Rhino Machines designs relevant technologies for the foundry industry, contributing to competitiveness, resilience, and environmental, social, and governance compliance. The company has been involved in various projects, including the Silica Plastic Block (SPB) in 2018, Industry 4.0 solutions in 2017, Green Sand Reclamation in 2016, and other notable endeavours.
In an exclusive conversation with Machine Maker, Manish Kothari, Managing Director of Rhino Machines along with team members Mr Gajendra and Ali Ahmed, have shared insights about their experiences, the products they will be exhibiting at IFEX 2024, and their expectations from the exhibition. Manish Kothari highlighted the significance of IFEX 2024, stating that the annual gathering of the foundry industry provides a valuable opportunity to meet and connect. Manish Kothari says, “We’ve been exhibiting since 2005 and visibility is important. We’ve only missed one or two exhibitions where we did not participate in the past 18 years. I believe being noticed is extremely important for the progress of the company as well as to showcase what we have done. It is always good to have a place where we can meet different people.” Mr Gajendra, on the other hand, added that participating in the exhibition would help new customers understand the company’s capabilities in contributing to their expectations.
Expectations from IFEX 2024 include gaining exposure for Rhino Machines among those unfamiliar with the company’s operations and functions, providing a significant competitive advantage. Manish Kothari noted that with newcomers in the foundry industry, it is challenging to reach everyone across the vast landscape of India. The exhibition serves as a platform for making connections and reaching international players in the industry. In this context, Mr Kothari says, “We’re also looking for the customers coming in and recording their bites. One of our customers have commented that Rhino Machines has catapulted for different positions. That is a very strong statement coming from a very senior foundryman who has even worked with my father. We always welcome feedback, both good and bad, from our customers to get an idea of how we can improve our performance. To be able to handle that in an open forum transparently is a big deal. Hence, we are looking forward that this exhibition would surely provide us with the said platform.”
Discussing the foundry technologies slated for display at IFEX 2024, Mr Kothari reminisced about the 2012 Bangalore Exhibition, where Rhino Machines traditionally occupied a significant 80 square meters of space. The showcase included multiflex, mixer, RTC, and other new technologies. However, in the last 3-4 years, there has been a shift in approach. The company has reduced the display of machines and technologies, focusing on exhibiting catalogues, information, and engaging in discussions. Notably, this year, Rhino Machines introduces a novel repurposing technology to address foundry and plastic waste disposal, presenting a model tested in their factory—an innovative and niche product.
Looking ahead, Mr Kothari sheds light on ongoing innovations, particularly a technology aimed at enhancing the efficiency of sand reclamation, especially for smaller sizes to improve cost-effectiveness. The company is actively working on contextualizing to foundry sizes, ensuring that even smaller foundries can implement sand reclamation facilities with effectiveness and efficiency. This initiative is currently in progress, with expectations to showcase the technology in the upcoming editions of the exhibition. Furthermore, Rhino Machines is delving into the ecosystem of the foundry market, specifically exploring how the Indian foundry ecosystem can be implemented in other countries, notably in Africa. This endeavor represents a business model and ecosystem development innovation that Rhino Machines is actively working on, signaling a forward-looking trajectory for the company.
IFEX 2024 holds significant promise for Rhino Machines, providing an opportunity to connect with new stakeholders, establish fruitful business relationships, and showcase the company’s technological prowess in designing repurposing solutions for the waste disposal of the plastic and foundry industry. Stay tuned for exclusive insights and highlights from the exhibition as Rhino Machines aims to leave a lasting impression at IFEX 2024.
