An Interview with Grindwell Norton

Instantly, in five to ten years, Indian companies will possess the advanced equipment to be used in grinding and cutting. With the development of world auto industry, coated abrasives will be more frequently employed.

Interviewee: Niranjan Sahasrabudhe
Position: Supervisor  
Company: Grindwell Norton Ltd.  
Site on iAbrasive: http://www.iabrasive.com/shop/?sid=4066

Both China and India are developing countries with large population. The two world emerging economies belong to the BRICs. Knowing more about neighboring countries is good for both parties to learn from each other and speed up development.

Founded in 1967, Grindwell Norton is a joint venture of Grindwell and Norton company. In 1990, Norton was required by Saint Gobain. In no more than six years, GNO has become the first holding subsidiary by Saint Gobain.

Recently Niranjan Sahasrabudhe--the bonded abrasives and grinding wheel supervisor of Grindwell Norton, along with Mr. Vispi B. Contractor--the production manager, paid a visit to China abrasives city--Zhengzhou, Henan province. iAbrasive had an interview with them.

(R is for Reporter)

R: As we know that Grindwell come to China in order to bring in a bonded abrasives hardening tunnel kiln. Could you introduce in detail?

Niranjan: Fine. Saint Gobain Abrasives began by acquiring Norton. Small proportion as abrasive industry takes up in Saint Gobain's output value, it has many factories all over the world. The factories are closely related with one another. In recent years, European abrasives market have seen slight decline, while china and India maintain a rising momentum. Especially in last year when Indian market experienced a demand surge. Born in 1941, Grindwell has seventy years' history in abrasives market. To meet local demand, we plan to further enlarge our capacity. After doing multiple research into production equipment of America, Europe and some other countries, with the help of Saint Gobain Abrasives (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. and R & D center, Grindwell has decided on searching for suppliers in China. Since China and India are neighboring countries and abrasives production technologies have much in common, we hope to find a long-term equipment supplier in China. That's why we come here.

R: Just now you mentioned Saint Gobain R & D Center (Shanghai), is there such institute in India?

Niranjan: The R & D Center in India is under construction and is expected to come into service next year. When we say abrasives R & D Center, generally we mean research and experiment in abrasives application field, and Shanghai R & D Center is typical of this. Indian R & D Center is to do research on technology.

R: Would you like to introduce for us abrasive industry developing situation in India?

Niranjan: The developing situation is multifold. Since there are various kinds of abrasives, such as coated abrasives, bonded abrasives, superhard products, etc., India abrasives industry takes on different ranks. Although some companies have taken diamond and CBN as substitutes for traditional techniques and overall market is rising, superhard materials and products output value is small compared with traditional abrasives. Stone (marble and granite), relevant cutting tools and polishing products still play a dominant role. The most crucial factor in production is equipment. Most of Indian production equipment has reached international standard, so has our grinding equipment. In last decade, companies production techniques and management experience have developed rapidly. Instantly, in five to ten years, Indian companies will possess the advanced equipment to be used in grinding and cutting. With the development of world auto industry, coated abrasives will be more frequently employed. After all, Indian has had more demand over abrasives due to investment increase and the development of Indian economy.

R: What do you think of China abrasives market?

Niranjan: It is hard to say. As an Indian user, what I've got is cheap products of poor quality. But as a manufacturer of Norton abrasives, we have seen products with competitive price and favorable quality. The two situations are different. I think that it is the communication barrier., perhaps Indian clients haven't find a proper supplier yet.