Industrials

<h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Q1. Could you start by giving us a brief overview of your professional background, particularly focusing on your expertise in the industry?</span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;">I have a total of 40 years of experience. I have worked with manufacturing, EPC, OEM, and automation industries. The technical domains of the automobile, material handling, non-conventional energy, Oil &amp; Gas, fertilizers, pulp &amp; paper, metals &amp; mining, captive power plants, cement, pharma, petrochemicals, etc. This is in the capacity of design engineering, presales, project &amp; operations management, presales &amp; site execution. Out of 40 years, the last 15 years are in leadership roles.<br>&nbsp;</p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Q2. What sectors (e.g., manufacturing, automotive, pharmaceuticals) are most aggressively adopting industrial automation, and what drives their adoption?</span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;">The sectors adopting industrial automation aggressively are:</p><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Automobile</li><li>Oil &amp; Gas</li><li>Pharma</li><li>Refining &amp; Petrochemical sector<br>&nbsp;</li></ul><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Q3. What are the untapped opportunities in AI and IoT for industrial automation, particularly in predictive maintenance and real-time operations management?</span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;">To the best of my knowledge, AI and IoT are spreading their wings in almost all sectors. However, adoption may be a little lower in sectors like Food and beverage and pharmaceuticals, mainly due to validation requirements.</p><h2 style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</h2><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Q4. What strategies are companies employing to integrate new automation technologies, and how are government initiatives like "Make in India" influencing this growth?</span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;">I always say that there is a very thin line between Electrical /Electronics /Instrumentation and IT in today's technical world. This has helped the overall growth of companies in almost all sectors. It also helps user industries like Refining, Steel sector, Utility power, etc., to have a single-window approach when they go to an automation vendor for their expansions. (It can be a Green Field or Brown Field.)</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The best effort is made to integrate a complete supply chain, which helps minimize project deliveries.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">As far as &lsquo;Make in India&rsquo; efforts are concerned, the automation industry is a little behind. They still act as integrators rather than Original Equipment Manufacturers. I am aware that the current government has been offering excellent funding schemes and opportunities for Electronics and semiconductor Manufacturing.<br>&nbsp;</p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Q5. Are there emerging startups that are innovating in ways that could disrupt traditional industrial automation paradigms? Can you share some examples</span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;">To me, some basics like PLS, SCADA, DCS, and Safety Systems are here to stay. As far as the disruption of traditional automation paradigms is concerned, it is coming more through approaches toward sustainability, effective energy management, and waste management. So, rather than disruption, I would like to call it advancement.<br>&nbsp;</p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Q6. If you were an investor looking at companies within the space, what critical question would you pose to their senior management?</span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;">There are three/four basic pillars of any company. They are manpower (HR), manufacturing (processes &amp; technology), finance(money) &amp; marketing (Pre &amp; Post Sales). Just to remember, we can call them the 4Ms of any business. So the questions that can be posed can be (but not limited to these ones):</p><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Have they studied the Total Market &amp; Available Market?</li><li>Do they have a skilled manpower?</li><li>Is their funding (owned &amp; borrowed) secured?</li><li>Are their processes, machinery, and adopted technologies in line with current trends &amp; ensure that a high level of productivity is always maintained?</li></ul><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><br><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Expert Summary</span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;">Ajit Chigteri is a seasoned industry leader with over 41 years of experience across industrial automation, electrical, and manufacturing sectors. His domain expertise spans Oil &amp; Gas, Pharma, Chemicals, Metals, and Pulp &amp; Paper, with deep capabilities in project execution, operations, and business development. He has led cross-functional teams globally and set up a 100+ member proposal and sales support desk at Emerson. Currently, he serves as Director at Mcube Partners LLP, offering 360&deg; consulting services in HR, Automation, and Finance.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>