At a time when manufacturing is navigating uncertainty, innovation is no longer optional. It is survival. For Amit Salunkhe, General Manager of Zoller India, the focus is clear: deliver smarter, more efficient solutions that directly impact productivity on the shop floor.
Speaking about the company's upcoming showcase at TAGMA, Salunkhe highlights a gap that many manufacturers have quietly lived with for years. Shrink-fit tooling is widely used across the mould and machining sector, yet tracking the life and utilisation of tool holders remains largely unaddressed. Zoller's response is the PowerShrink 400, a machine designed not just to perform, but to think.
What sets it apart is its ability to monitor tool holder life while introducing precise, targeted heating technology. Unlike conventional systems that heat the entire holder, often reducing its lifespan, the PowerShrink 400 applies heat only where needed. The result is not just better tool longevity, but also a significant reduction in energy consumption of up to 30 percent. It is a practical innovation with immediate, measurable impact.
But innovation alone is not enough in today's volatile global landscape. With fluctuating currencies, shifting supply chains, and unpredictable market conditions, Salunkhe acknowledges that businesses must focus on what they can control. For Zoller, that means staying close to customers and continuously demonstrating value.
"Our role is to help manufacturers reduce production costs, improve tool life, and build more efficient processes," he explains. Whether through exhibitions, industry events, or direct engagement, the goal is consistent: help customers adapt and stay competitive.
Sustainability, too, is no longer a side conversation. It is central to how Zoller operates. Drawing from its German engineering roots, the company is investing heavily in environmentally responsible practices. From solar energy adoption to the use of recyclable materials like aluminium alloys, Zoller is rethinking product design with the full lifecycle in mind. Even its machines incorporate ultra high precision concrete that can be responsibly broken down after use.
Perhaps the most forward looking aspect of Zoller's vision lies in smart manufacturing. Today's shop floors often operate in silos, with machines and systems that do not communicate effectively. Zoller aims to change that by connecting these elements into a unified ecosystem. The result is greater visibility. Manufacturers can track overall equipment efficiency, cost per component, and even the lifecycle of tools and holders in real time.
In an industry where margins are tight and expectations are high, this level of insight can be transformative.
For Salunkhe, the message is simple: the future of manufacturing lies in intelligence. Machines that not only perform tasks but also provide data, efficiency, and sustainability. And those who embrace it will be the ones who stay ahead.
