Rajkot machine tools industry ties up with UNIDO for technology upgradation

With slow down being a thing of the past, Rajkot-based machine tools industry is gearing up for an increase in demand.  For this, industry is preparing itself for technology upgradation with the help of United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). Under its association with UNIDO, Rajkot Machine Tools Manufacturers' Association (RMTMA) is beginning a cluster development program.    

According to Sailesh Kava, president of Rajkot Machine Tools Manufacturers' Association, "We are mapping our industry to compete globally and for that UNIDO will help us. Under this program, UNIDO will educate the industry about technology to marketing on international stage."

  UNIDO will appoint two national and international level experts to give knowledge on technology up-gradations. These experts will visit the selected machine tools units and examine it.

  "Rajkot has the third largest machine tools industry after Bangalore and Pune. Currently, Rajkot manufactures conventional machine tools and through this program a new door to international market will be opened. Right now our market is domestic, with only two or three companies having an international presence," said Kava.  

Moreover, RMTMA has also planned to set up common facility centre for Research and Development. "The R&D centre project will cost us around Rs 20-22 crore, 75 per cent of which will be provided by the government, while the rest has to be managed by us. We intend to open this centre within two years from now," Kava added.

  Rajkot Machine Tools industry has about 300-350 units, employing around 10,000-12,000 people. Out of these only 2-3 companies work on a large scale level, while the rest are small scale.  

With a turnover of is about Rs 1,000-1,200 crore, the industry in Rajkot is growing by 30-35 per cent every year. During slow down, the turnover of the industry came down by 40 per cent but after April, 2009 things began to change, said Kava. "Since last one year the industry has been able to perform very well on domestic front," he added.