In Conversation With - Prashant Sinha, Head of Marketing, WIKA India

GrowthBeats Team caught up with Prashant Sinha, Head of Marketing, WIKA India

Elaborate on WIKA’s operations in India and future expansion plans to cement its position in the Indian market.

WIKA India brings German standards of precision and quality services in test and measurement technology to its customer base in India. The company is committed to blending global technology and engineering with localized approaches to fulfill the specific needs of its customers.

In the smart machine tool market, WIKA offers a diverse range of innovative instrumentation products to over 6000 customers spanning various industrial sectors, including Oil & Gas, Petrochemical, Food & Beverages, Packaging, Paper, Power Generation, Power Transmission & Distribution and Calibration benches.

Since its establishment, WIKA India has expanded its reach throughout the country, setting up manufacturing plants in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. WIKA commenced its operations in India in 1997 with the establishment of WIKA Instrument India in Pune. Subsequently, in 2002, the company inaugurated a new factory in Pune, catering to level, calibration and SF6 gas requirements. In 2023, WIKA further bolstered the growth of its Pune facility with a state-of-the-art force measurement and SKID production unit.

To further fortify its operations, WIKA made strategic acquisitions in 2014, bringing Micro Precision in Faridabad and Switzer Instruments India Pvt. Ltd., known for brands 'Switzer' and 'Indfos,' into its portfolio. These acquisitions included manufacturing facilities in Chennai and Ghaziabad, respectively.

Over the years, to encompass its business growth, WIKA established a factory in Ghaziabad in 2021, manufacturing switches for HVAC and railway segments. The company’s Chennai plant focuses on producing pressure switches and temperature switches for process industries like railway plants, steel plants, and power plants. The Faridabad facility manufactures Instrumentation Valves & Manifolds, Flow elements for DP-based measurements, and also supplies export products supporting WIKA’s global key accounts.

WIKA India is evolving into an export hub for neighboring countries. Presently, WIKA India not only fulfills global commitments but also strives to meet the demands of the expanding technology-led measurement market.

With an aim to double its turnover by 2025, WIKA India has established a strong presence in India with the support of a robust supply chain and distribution channel to actively maximize its market share in the segments where it operates.

 
What factors keep WIKA ahead of its competitors?

Along with providing cutting-edge technology, WIKA places a strong emphasis on 'Quality and Service.' The test and measurement industry are precision-driven, leaving no room for errors. Our product line plays a vital role in enabling Indian manufacturers to uphold global quality standards, prevent unexpected maintenance, minimize downtime and ensure enhanced profitability. This commitment resonates with our motto - “Cut down your shut down.”

All four of our manufacturing facilities, strategically situated in Pune, Chennai, Faridabad, and Ghaziabad, boast NABL Accredited. This recognition signifies that these plants adhere to rigorous standards of quality and accuracy in their operations.

Furthermore, our commitment to precision and excellence extends to our mobile calibration van, which offers convenient door-to-door services to our valued customers. This mobile unit is also NABL- Accredited, assuring our clients of the same high standards of calibration and accuracy when availing of our on-site services. Our extensive distribution network guarantees the widespread availability of WIKA products throughout India. Additionally, we offer prompt servicing at the customers' doorstep, adding significant value to their experience. Moreover, in a fiercely competitive market where customers consistently seek value for their investment, WIKA India aligns itself perfectly with customer expectations by providing forward-thinking solutions that cater to their evolving needs. Adhering to the ethos of "Think Global Act Local" in our manufacturing approach, we channel our research and innovation efforts to meet localization objectives and ensure cost competitiveness. These factors ensure that we stay ahead of the competition.

Give an insight into the major emerging trends in the industry and ways in which WIKA is gearing up/ preparing for similar integration.

The future growth of the test and measurement market is poised to revolve around smart connected devices, harnessing the advancements in digital technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), machine-to-machine (M2M) interaction, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML). These emerging trends will profoundly shape the trajectory of the T&M industry on a global scale.

This will further accelerate the demand for embedded and portable T&M solutions, IoT test solutions equipped with remote troubleshooting capabilities and solutions that support the latest interfaces and protocols.

Furthermore, there will be a rise in the demand for testing solutions that are multifunctional and multi-domain operational. In an age where industrial growth is measured on precision, accuracy and continuous innovation, instrumentation solutions must keep pace with the paradigm of smart testing solutions. Predictive maintenance, crucial for averting downtime, will assume a pivotal role in facilitating seamless and uninterrupted operations within process-driven industries.

In response to the rapidly evolving dynamics of the industry, WIKA India has embraced the 'Smart in Sensing' philosophy. This approach drives us to introduce intelligent, competitive and future-ready solutions that empower our customers to align with megatrends and global transformations.

 
Discuss how instrumentation devices enabled with IIOT devices aid increased efficiency, reduced wastage and cost savings in manufacturing operations?

The primary objective of test and measurement equipment is to elevate quality, safety and precision in manufacturing processes. IoT-enabled T&M solutions have significantly enhanced the dynamics of every industry. These digitally empowered instrumentation solutions facilitate a continuous flow of data, allowing companies to gain invaluable insights into their manufacturing processes. This involves the measurement and analysis of various process parameters like temperature, pressure, flow rate and chemical composition, enabling data-driven decisions to enhance efficiency, minimize waste and improve product quality.

Sensors and instrumentation devices play a pivotal role in monitoring diverse parameters within a process and the overall health of the devices and machinery in operation. Furthermore, these smart devices enable constant monitoring of various parameters like condition monitoring, flow monitoring, stability monitoring, pressure and temperature monitoring and data collection for effective process control.

Thus, IoT-enabled test and measurement equipment ensure the seamless operation of machines, preventing untimely breakdowns, disruptions in manufacturing processes, unplanned maintenance and losses in production.

How does WIKA products ensure sustainability in operations?

In today's contemporary business landscape, prioritizing ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) has become crucial for manufacturers, governments, investors and end-users. Moving forward, sustainable practices and achieving carbon neutrality will take center stage.

As a globally responsible organization that places a high value on social and environmental accountability, WIKA incorporates sustainability principles in all its operations. This involves implementing an integrated management system and sustainability impact management, encompassing environmental, social, governance (ESG) and economic dimensions. WIKA actively undertakes deliberate measures to enhance the sustainability of the planet to ensure a better future for generations to come.

In pursuit of sustainability performance targets, WIKA consciously assesses the impact of its business activities on both the environment and stakeholders. To address this, WIKA has embraced automation and upgraded its product offerings to minimize the overall environmental footprint. Integrating IoT-enabled solutions is a fundamental approach to embedding sustainability across the value chain. Interconnected IoT devices enhance overall energy efficiency in various processes, minimize wastage and facilitate energy-efficient decisions. A well-defined roadmap is already in place for manufacturing IoT-enabled products for various industry segments.

Furthermore, WIKA ensures that all processes, ranging from vendor management to raw material sourcing, align with the principles of green manufacturing, reinforcing the company's unwavering commitment to sustainability.

Can you elaborate on the adoption of IoT-enabled instrumentation in Indian industries? Which industries are seeing maximum adoption?

According to a report by Markets and Markets, the market for test and measurement equipment is projected to reach USD 42.9 billion by 2028, which signifies a significant increase from USD 34.3 billion in 2023, growing at a CAGR of 4.6%. With the majority of industries transitioning towards IoT-enabled operations, it becomes imperative for instrumentation solutions to keep up with this shift.

Various sectors such as automotive, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, oil and gas, HVAC, and others, are actively seeking smart instrumentation solutions to enhance their operations by increasing accuracy, efficiency, safety and precision while minimizing downtime and operational loss.

Here, testing and measurement add a significant value to any manufacturing process that seeks smarter and more precise technology. They play a critical role in ensuring accuracy and precision at every stage of the product life cycle, right from the product design and development phase, production testing, pre- and post-market testing to product maintenance and support.

At WIKA, we ensure that our products and solutions are IoT-enabled, aligning with the current demand for 'smart' electronics. Our future-ready, customized smart instrumentation solutions are tailored to meet the distinctive requirements of various industries. Our array of IoT-enabled smart sensors covering Pressure, Temperature, Level, Flow, and Force solutions sets a standard of excellence for every operation.