Machine Tool Influencers 2026: Keshav Khurana on Precision Hole-Making

The machine tool industry is undergoing rapid transformation. Which technological trends—such as AI, automation, digital manufacturing or precision engineering—do you believe will have the greatest impact over the next five years, and how is your organisation preparing for them?

Over the next five years, I believe automation, digital manufacturing, AI-driven process optimisation and precision engineering will have the greatest impact. However, technology will create real value only when it delivers measurable improvements in productivity, quality, consistency and Cost Per Component.

At Wohlhaupter and Allied Machine & Engineering, our focus is on providing complete hole-making solutions—from drilling and deep-hole drilling to precision boring, reaming and burnishing. Our technologies combine precision engineering with practical application expertise. For example, Wohlhaupter’s Auto-Balance boring solutions provide exceptional stability and precision, with analogue setting accuracy down to a 2-micron least count, while our digital display solutions enable setting accuracy down to 1 micron.

Allied Machine also offers standard deep-hole drilling solutions from 9.5 mm to 114 mm, up to L/D 30, helping manufacturers achieve reliable and productive drilling without compromising quality.

India aspires to become a global manufacturing hub. What are the biggest opportunities and challenges for the Indian machine tool industry in achieving global competitiveness, and what changes are still required?

India has an enormous opportunity to become one of the world’s leading manufacturing hubs. The challenge is not only increasing production but achieving global levels of precision, quality, productivity and consistency.

Our objective is to help Indian manufacturers “Make in India at global quality.” Through advanced hole-making technologies and application support, we enable customers to produce critical components with the accuracy and consistency required to compete with global manufacturers. This can strengthen India’s domestic manufacturing base while also helping Indian companies expand their exports and global footprint.

 Innovation today extends beyond products. How is your organisation driving innovation across manufacturing processes, customer experience, sustainability, workforce development or digital transformation?

Innovation for us goes beyond developing better tools. It means understanding the customer’s complete machining process and delivering the right technical solution for the application.

We work closely with customers on process optimisation, Cost Per Component (CPC), productivity improvement, tool-life optimisation, automation and application engineering. We also invest in training our people and customers so that advanced technologies are used to their full potential.

Our philosophy is simple: we do not just sell a cutting tool; we solve a manufacturing problem.

 Manufacturing success increasingly depends on collaboration. How do you see partnerships shaping the future of manufacturing?

The future will depend increasingly on collaboration between OEMs, machine-tool builders, component manufacturers, technology providers, dealers, academia and startups.

We work as a technology partner, bringing global expertise in hole-making together with local application knowledge. Whether the requirement is drilling, boring, reaming or burnishing, our objective is to jointly develop a process that delivers measurable improvements in quality, productivity and cost.

. Looking ahead to 2030, what will define a successful machine tool company?

By 2030, successful companies will be defined by their ability to combine precision, productivity, digital capability, application expertise and customer partnership.

Our technologies support a wide range of industries—including automotive, oil & gas, defence & aerospace, energy, general engineering, heavy machining, die & mould and other critical manufacturing sectors.

The future leaders will not simply supply equipment or tooling; they will provide complete manufacturing solutions and measurable customer value.

 As one of the Machine Tool Influencers 2026, what message would you like to share with the next generation?

My message is simple: Think globally, innovate continuously and never compromise on quality.

India has the talent, market and ambition to become a global manufacturing powerhouse. The next generation should focus not only on producing more, but on producing better, smarter and more consistently.

If we can combine Indian engineering talent with world-class technology and application expertise, we can build products in India that compete with the best anywhere in the world.

“Make in India” should not only mean manufacturing in India—it should mean manufacturing in India at a quality that the world respects.

Do Visit – https://www.alliedmachine.com/company/about-wohlhaupter-india/