At TAGMA this year, the conversation at Mitsubishi Materials India is not just about better cutting tools. It is about rethinking how manufacturing efficiency is measured altogether.
Prashant Sardeshmukh, Managing Director, brings a clear and practical perspective to the table. For years, the industry has focused heavily on improving cutting tool performance. While that still matters, he believes it only scratches the surface of what manufacturers truly need today.
The company is relaunching its P50 concept, short for Production 50, with renewed emphasis. The idea is simple yet powerful. Help customers reduce their overall production time by up to 50 percent. Instead of chasing marginal gains in tooling, the focus shifts to the bigger picture, the entire manufacturing cycle.
Sardeshmukh explains it in straightforward terms. Cutting tools typically contribute a small percentage to the total cost of a product. Even with significant improvements, the savings remain limited. But when production time is reduced, the impact is far more substantial. Machine hour costs, labour expenses, and overall throughput all come down, creating real and visible value for manufacturers.
This approach reflects a deeper understanding of shop floor realities. Time, after all, is one of the most expensive resources in manufacturing. By optimising processes and reducing cycle times, companies can achieve efficiency gains that go well beyond what tooling alone can deliver.
While global uncertainties continue to shape business sentiment, Sardeshmukh remains cautiously optimistic. He acknowledges that disruptions have affected confidence levels, particularly when it comes to large investments. Customers are more measured in their decisions, carefully evaluating when and how much to invest.
At the same time, the Indian manufacturing sector has shown resilience. Despite global challenges, the industry continues to perform steadily. Sardeshmukh believes that with the right policy support and ongoing developments, the long-term outlook remains positive.
Looking beyond die and mould, Mitsubishi Materials India is also exploring opportunities across industries such as aerospace and electronics manufacturing services. The strength of their offering lies in its versatility. The same principles that drive efficiency in one sector can be applied across others, creating broader value for a diverse customer base.
At its core, the message from Mitsubishi Materials India is clear. The future of manufacturing will not be defined by incremental improvements alone. It will be shaped by how effectively companies can rethink processes, reduce time, and maximise output.
And sometimes, the biggest breakthrough is not a new product, but a new way of looking at the problem.
