The Sheet Metal pressed components have always been in demand in almost every sector, whether it is household items, the vessels, the consumer electronics, other application in day-to-day requirements, the automobile market, the public conveyance systems like transport, railways, waterways, the defence services or aerospace applications.
The sheet metal pressed industry has been around and is here to stay and will always keep growing. With over six decades of expertise in the industry, TEK Press works has been a leader in manufacturing sheet metal pressed parts for various industries, a name renowned for manufacturing sheet metal deep drawn components, using a range of methods like cold forming and stamping.
Set up in 1964, TEK Industries manufactured and supplied parts to the after sales market. Successful in developing parts, which were quite innovative and gave great revenue to our customers, TEK Industries made a mark by being the first one to develop panels for Hindustan Motors Ambassador, which allowed the transformation of the Mark III to Mark IV. These were a runway success and gave TEK a PAN India recognition. The firm eventually went on from developing many such pioneering large-size components like Bumpers, Chassis members, body panels, brake components.
For the aerospace industry, the firm has pressed parts of the cryogenic engine for the Rockets which are in aluminum, copper and titanium, besides Mild steel. The major USP of TEK Press works is to develop parts, which are at design stage envisaged with a welded joint, which the firm has been successfully able to develop in single piece, avoiding weld joint. This adds value by way of increasing the integral strength of the part besides giving a cost benefit too.
Briefing about the range of clients served over the years by TEK Press works, Suraj Nanda shares, “In 1972, we first started supplying Bumpers to M/s. Premier Automobiles Ltd. for their Premier Padmini vehicle. In 1982, we developed the first Luggage carrier for Maruti 800, which could be assembled by the car owner themselves.
We then went on to develop Safety Guards for Maruti Van which was later called Omni. We received many accolades for the same, as many credited us for saving their lives in accidents. In 1986, we associated with M/s. Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., where we supplied to them under our sister concern Taj Auto Accessories.
We developed the first Bumper for their MM540 Jeep, which we still supply to their vehicle which is exported as CKD and assembled in US as ROXOR. We developed a single-piece Fendor Top Panel, eliminating the welded joints, which brought their rejections and warranty failures down considerably. Also, we were the only ones to make the Rear Bumper Bolero in Sheet metal.
We have developed a very critical component for the braking system for Indian Railways, this was being imported from Hungary and had a very high failure rate. We did some tweaking to the basic design and managed to reduce failure to a considerable degree.
To add to all this, we have also been working actively with Ms. Godrej Aerospace for their various projects for ISRO and Indian Defense Industry”.
Where Quality And Client Satisfaction Come First
The sheet metal industry and its processors are often viewed as those who make small components with simple conventional mechanical presses and traditional technology since the modern technical advancements are not available due to lack of knowledge and high costing. However, in recent years, the MSME has now become a very interactive player with the manufacturers. Currently the national sentiment towards the program ‘Make in India’ has also given a small impetus.
“At TEK Press works, we have always put quality and client satisfaction as our core values. We have been conservative, as we have always considered not to fall in a Debt trap, since it is very easy for industry like ours. However, with the new government initiative, we are also feeling confident of growing. Besides, we have always focused on single segment that is Automobile Ancillary Industry, although we have done considerable work in Railways, Aerospace, defense, and Marine equipment. In a long-term view, we intend to start our own range of product line under our own brand”, mentions Nanda.
Being a single provider for many components to its customers for almost more than 35 years now, the supplied parts of TEK have been delivered JIT (Just-in-Time) and supplied directly to assembly line. This speaks for the confidence of the Quality of our products. “We are ISO 9001-2015 certified company, strictly adhering to the quality system standards. We believe in first time right and mistake-proofing our processes. The parts manufactured by us have proper traceability to the production batch, as well as the incoming material.
Shop floor workers are trained to inspect and record online sample inspection as well as predispatch inspections. We continuously monitor our team performance and have a training matrix to upgrade and avail new skills in both performance enhancement and self-improvement, to our team members. Our shop floor workers are not only skilled in their daily production functions, but also, been trained to attend any breakdown or interruptions in machine functioning thereby reducing down-time”, elaborates Nanda.
At TEK Press works, the press-shop has double-action hydraulic presses, which nowadays is considered obsoleted. Since in sheet metal forming, wrapping the sheet is considered better than deep drawing, as it is faster in production runs. However, the machines here have the combined advantage of using the same press in single action, by combing the double Rams, and two-stage draw speed. Though conventional this is unique in the industry.
“At TEK Press works, we also have custom-built presses to have lower tonnages with bigger operating table sizes. As a standard heavy tonnage press would have to be used for forming large size components. This would impact the cost of production. We use lower tonnage with a large size bed, which has economical advantage. We can design tooling and machinery suited to the function and we can also use cam-dies compound dies, progressive dies, where the process demands”, adds Nanda.
Growing By Leaps And Bounds
Right from developing items for the automobile manufacturing company by actively involving right from the design stage, to working for its mentor and a major brand M/s. Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. right from its nascent growth stage, TEK Press works is a name clients rely upon.
Sheet Metal forming is going to remain in the market for a long time and with new technological advancements, there is increasing scope for the industry. Although alternate materials have been replaced in many areas of application of the metal parts, still where sheet metal is required, it is and will always be required.
Over the years, we have developed some groundbreaking products, for automobiles, we have done some spectacular work for the railways
“Over the years, we have developed some groundbreaking products, for automobiles, we have done some spectacular work for the railways. We are currently active with work from ISRO and Defense companies for our Customer M/s. Godrej Aerospace. We are also making components for Indian Naval marine equipment. To add to this, we have been exploring new vistas and areas for markets. We started with Automobiles spares in after-sales, to ancillary in Original Equipment sector, Railways, Marine equipment, aerospace, defence industry.
We are further exploring other areas also, such as Material movement and handling for Construction as well as the landscaping industry. In the years to come, we have plans to venture into Landscaping equipment and material handling equipment while we launch products under our own brand name”, concludes Nanda.
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