Hans Raj Verma IAS, Chairman, Tamilnadu Industrial Investment Corporation (TIIC) inaugurated the Three-day 'Interfoundry and Interdiecast Exhibition and Allied Conference' organized by  Foundries Development Foundation (FDF), Coimbatore on Thursday at Codissia Trade Fair Complex.


It was inaugurated in the presence of special guests M.Manickam, Chairman, Sakthi Group and R.Nandini, Director, TIDCO and Chairperson, Chandra Group, R.Palanisamy, Chairman and Nithyanandan Devaraj, Co-Chairman, Organizing Committee, and leaders and members of the Foundry Industry of Coimbatore.


This expo is promoted as South Asia's first-of-its-kind International Exhibition and Allied Conference focused on Future Technologies in Equipment, Process and Materials of the foundry sector. 180 exhibitors of the Foundry Industry (Regional, Domestic and International) are participating in this event.  36 product presentations by exhibitors will take place today and tomorrow.


Krishna Samraj, Vice President, FDF in his welcome address mentioned that this expo is held with the aim to inculcate and strength the knowledge of all level of foundry employees (including shop floor operators, supervisors, engineers and managers) on the latest technologies, process and innovations across the sector.


Talking about FDF's Center of Excellence that is coming at CODISSIA Industrial Park in Mopperipalayam, he said once it is operational it will train and place 600 foundry operators and 200 technical persons via dedicated foundry courses per year. He briefed that the training period will be 4 months at the center. A curriculum is being developed now, and it is open for suggestions from the stakeholders of this sector.


He appealed Hans Raj Verma to help this COE be recognized by Tamil Nadu Government as an establishment that is eligible for Single Window Clearance;  so that it will enable them to receive various sanctions required to make this operational.


R.Palanisamy, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of Interfoundry and Interdiecast Exhibition and Allied Conference' said an expo with similar vision was held in 2000 and in 2016. After a long gap, an expo that brings all aspects of foundry under one roof is being held.


He said FDF's ultimate focus behind hosting this event is to educate and illuminate the Coimbatore Foundry Cluster about the latest developments in the Foundry sector. He expressed with conviction that this expo will increase and enhance the competitiveness of Coimbatore's foundries.


M.Manickam, Chairman, Sakthi Group said that while India's Foundry sector has a tough competition from China, the tides of fortune is going to favor India, as USA which places massive job orders to China for casting parts, is looking at India's potential. He expressed that with adequate training of manpower and technology upgradation, India's foundry sector is set to see a new dawn.


Hans Raj Verma IAS, Chairman, Tamilnadu Industrial Investment Corporation (TIIC) in his special address said TICC operates on two guiding principles; to make India a self-reliant country, as the PM of India Narendra Modi said, and to make Tamil Nadu achieve its 1 Trillion USD economy by 2030, as per CM of Tamil Nadu M.K.Stalin aspires.


He said TIIC is not just a lending body but also provides value propositions and technical guidance in Industry 4.0.


It has several partnerships with various bodies, and it is going to partner with Advance and Smart Manufacturing Center of IIT Madras to get best-in-class Industry 4.0  solutions for MSMEs at low cost, in order to make their operations sustainable. He said with partnership through reputed institutions like VIT and PSG Tech, it aims to introduce MSMEs to the basics of Industry 4.0.


He said TIIC has partnered with the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM). Now that Indian Government wants to develop Defense-related components indigenously and be self-reliant, TIIC through its partnership with SIDM will enable MSMEs to get a substantial portion of Defence related works.


He said foundries form the backbone of Indian economy today, and for the manufacturing sector to contribute 25% to India's GDP, the foundry sector should enhance its capabilities.


Since FDF has taken an initiative to enhance Coimbatore Foundries' capabilities through its upcoming Center of Excellence, he said he will personally help out in getting all the clearances it needs, so that it can help the industry, State and Nation to achieve its respective goals, and contribute to Atma Nirbhar Bharat.