An Interface with Mr. V.V. Kamath, Managing Director, Fronius India Private Limited

Q. Take us through the journey of “FRONIUS INDIA” Company’s Current Operations.

Fronius India Private Limited is a subsidiary of Fronius International GmbH, headquartered at Austria. We are the 20th subsidiary of Fronius International and established in 2013 in India. Our headquarter is located at Pune, Maharashtra with state-of-the-art trial facilities for various Welding Applications, Battery Charging Stations as well as Solar Plant with live Fronius Solar Inverters which help run all our electricity needs.

Along with the ultra-modern infrastructure at the western industrial hub, we are located pan India with the similar facilities at Chennai, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Gurugram with the skilled workforce to offer all the 3 business unit offerings as well as after pre- and post-sales support.

Q. Please brief us About “FRONIUS INDIA” Global Network & Infrastructure?

As said above, we are a subsidiary of a global brand “Fronius International GmbH”, an Austrian multinational company having more than 77 years of experience in innovation, research, and technology. High-quality products from Fronius are in demand all over the world. For this reason, Fronius has 37 subsidiaries on five continents, as well as Fronius Sales and Service Partners in more than 60 other countries spanning every continent. This global presence allows us to provide our customers around the world with the best levels of support and service. With 1366 patents, more than 7000 skilled employees out of which 780 are qualifies researchers, Fronius International has a strong hold across the globe.

Q. Please brief us on “FRONIUS INDIA” welding equipment’s & Various Product Range & Solutions.

Fronius Perfect Welding business unit offers all the welding applications starting from manual welding’s ready-to-weld machines to highly complex and customized welding automation systems and robotic systems. Our one of the highlighted projects was “Chandrayan-3”.

Q. Being One of The Leader In welding technology and solutions, how according to You Market has evolved over the Years?

I can provide insights into how the welding technology and solutions market had evolved from last 2 to 3 years.

Automation and Robotics: Automation and robotics had become increasingly prevalent in the welding industry. Manufacturers and businesses were adopting robotic welding systems to improve efficiency, reduce labour costs, and enhance the consistency and quality of welds. This trend was especially prominent in industries such as automotive, aerospace, and heavy machinery manufacturing.

Advanced Materials: The use of advanced materials in various industries, such as aerospace, automotive, and energy, led to the development of specialized welding technologies like, CMT (Cold Metal Transfer) and welding automation. Welding solutions had to evolve to accommodate these materials while maintaining high strength and integrity in the welded joints.

Digitalization and Data Analytics: Industry 4.0 concepts had started to impact the welding industry. Sensors and data analytics were integrated into welding equipment to monitor parameters in real time, optimize welding processes, and predict maintenance needs. This data-driven approach improved efficiency and reduced downtime.

Energy Efficiency and Sustainability: The focus on sustainability led to the development of welding processes that minimized energy consumption and reduced the carbon footprint. This was achieved through advancements in process efficiency and the use of eco-friendly materials in our welding machines.

Training and Workforce Development: As experienced welders were retiring, there was a growing need for training the next generation of welders. Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) were being used to simulate welding environments and provide hands-on training, accelerating the learning curve for new welders. Our FACT – Fronius & Academia centre for Skills & Training, program is continuously working for developing skilled welders for the Indian manufacturing industry. This course is specifically designed to get practical and theory knowledge about welding to various aspiring candidates from different socio-economic backgrounds. Scholarships are also provided for the underprivileged students to take the advantage of this program. So far, we have trained and placed 60 successful students and planned to complete 100 students by this calendar year.

Q. What are the Market Opportunities for Your welding equipment’s Products in India? How do you plan to Position these Products?

We are present in every industry segment which includes automotive, yellow-good industries, commercial transport & general engineering through our latest technologies in the field of welding.

Q. Please brief us latest top line Product Range?

· iWave Series: Being a multi-process machine, this machine is very useful for SME segment who is in the field of welding, as one machine can help to achieve any SME welding challenge.

· Accupocket: The very latest functional design, with dimensions reduced to a minimum, a low weighted and a robust build, AccuPocket is the perfect partner on any construction site. Its compactness is sufficient for welding applications on without any restrictions on input electricity.

· Welding Simulator: Simulated realities are mostly promoted by the gaming industry, but other sectors also make use of the opportunities offered by virtual imaging. Architects, engineers, plant construction, and automotive engineering firms are all able to save on expensive models and prototypes. Pilots, railroad engineers, and many others also train in virtual spaces. We have introduced VR/AR in our welding simulator provides a totally safe framework for first attempts, as well as for perfecting difficult tasks. Virtual Welding simulator provides more than just the opportunity to weld in a virtual environment: Fronius has developed a comprehensive and well-thought-out training approach, which includes imparting theoretical knowledge of the SMAW, TIG, and MIG/MAG processes.

Q. Can you please brief us about Your Manufacturing Facilities & R &D Activities in India?

– We install all the applicable software in the system and make the product package ready to deliver along with the suitable accessories as per the local standards and customer demands. We make sure we do a live demo and testing of the entire welding machine package before it leaves our premises. We customize the welding automation system with the help of talented pool of welding engineers. We also undertake various projects on weldability or feasibility of new materials for input substitution to save the forex and become Aatmanirbhar!

Our Research & development is located at Thalheim near Wels (Austria). The building itself is a temple to energy efficiency and offers the ideal environment for turning innovative ideas into reality. We have 1366 patents and 780 highly qualified researchers working at this location.

Q. Please brief us about the quality Policy for the business?

– Quality is one of the pillars of our products. Our products are reliable, sturdy, and non-comprisable. We have in-house endurance tests that put our products and solutions through their paces multiple times while making them work longer and harder for in everyday life. Our welding products pass through endurance tests multiple times till we are satisfied with the highest quality and the clearance under the relevant standards (IEC 60974-1/-3). Once each product is passed through these tests only then it gets delivered.

We have dedicated page on our QUALITY, please check our website for more details, https://www.fronius.com/en-in/india/welding-technology

Q. What is Your Future Vision & Growth Plans for “FRONIUS INDIA” In India?

We are growing based on our perfect welding business unit’s vision for Fronius India: “Be the dominant industry leader by offering technologically perfect welding knowledge and solutions”.

We are now in the process of strengthening our mission, leading to skill-building initiatives with our Welding Business Academy, by offering regular welding training programmes to our employees as well as external welding enthusiasts, professionals, and, most importantly, students. Our recently started initiative, FACT: Fronius and Academia Centre for Skill Training,” constitutes Fronius core objectives. With wholehearted commitment, we channel expertise in welding technology to benefit our community. Our pledge advocates welding as a ‘career’ for Indian youth, with special emphasis on gender diversity.

Apart from successfully following our values, goals, and objectives, we are soon coming up with our new facilities at the new and exciting locations of Hyderabad and Jamshedpur. Follow us on social media for announcements and updates.