How have merger and consolidation in national and international markets in the electrical and automation industry affected your business in the last 10 years and how do you expect it to change over the next decade?
Though it is a challenging environment we are maintaining a balance between new projects and service/upgrade requirements. Merger and consolidation had reduced greenfield opportunities, however, at the same time we got opportunities for upgrades and strengthening of the existing system.
In your opinion, what shall be the major changes in the level of automation in the cement industry in the next 10 years? What shall be the specific areas of automation where you foresee significant changes?
The focus is shifting toward digitalization and remote monitoring/operations. To maintain competitiveness in market improvement, KPA/KPIs are now penetrated up to the lowest level and digital techniques are helping the management to monitor the same.
In line with the Government’s Make in India movement, what level of indigenous manufacture content can we achieve in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation during the next 10 years and beyond?
We are working in this area and will be able to share more details in a couple of months.
In your opinion, what significant technological changes occurred over the recent past in electrical switchgear, transformers, cables, motors, lamps, automation, etc. to improve reliability and energy efficiency?
Digitalization, smart equipment, and remote monitoring are the main changes. The focus has moved to predictive maintenance from a preventive one. Human safety is also getting equal priority nowadays.
What are going to be the future trends in power distribution and receiving power at the factory substation and what design changes can we expect to make them more compact and reduce the overall cost, including installation?
After GIS or hybrid substation, smart/digital substation with sensors is the technological change.
How is your company gearing up for the latest Industry 4.0 level of automation with IoTs and AI?
We have successfully implemented enterprise-wide digital solutions for the cement industry in India. This has helped our customers to improve productivity and quality.