Hrishikesh Kulkarni, COO, Zimmer India and DMI Influencer 2022 shares his company’s vision and contribution toward the growth of the industry
Executive Profile: Hrishikesh Kulkarni, COO, Zimmer India Pvt. Ltd.
Hrishikesh Kulkarni has an extensive experience of over 14 years in the field of Automation & Robotics Industry. He currently heads India Operations for Zimmer Automation LLP – world’s leading manufacturer of automation and handling solutions.
Hrishikesh started his professional journey with Güdel India Pvt. Ltd – a Swiss based world leader in manufacturing of linear technology products. He joined Güdel as a graduate engineer trainee in Product Sales and went on to head the Products Business. In his 12 years with Güdel he set up sales organization across India. He also set up the Dealers’ network for linear products as well as specialty gearboxes. While heading the Business unit – Products, he was responsible for P&L for his business. In this role, he was actively involved in expanding the existing Dealer Network and also into developing OEM businesses by positioning Güdel components and modules. Hrishikesh played an instrumental role in setting up strategic partnerships especially in the Machine Tool and Robotics segments. During his tenure with Güdel, sustainable business was built with a good mix of Dealer and OEM business. Apart from handling the Products Division of Güdel, he was also responsible for setting up the OEM business for REDEX, a French-based company that specializes in manufacturing of servo-planetary gearboxes for the machine tool industry.
Since 2019, Hrishikesh has taken charge as COO of Zimmer-Group and he is involved in setting up the organization, processes and developing business. As head of Zimmer Group’s India operations his focus is also on setting up Distribution channels and OEM business.
Hrishikesh is skilled in developing and maintaining cordial relations with customers across hierarchy levels, ensuring quality along with service norms for attaining customer satisfaction and business retention. He has travelled extensively in Europe and has wide range of connections with industry players at executive levels. He has a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Mechanical Engineering from SDMCET, Dharwad.
Indian Machine Tools Industry Vision
The Indian machine tool industry has been on a robust growth path after a brief hiatus due to the pandemic. Globally, India has been amongst the top ten in terms of producing machines and also ranks among the top ten in consumption as well. In the recent years, we have witnessed the Automotive sector move from IC Engines to the EV which posed challenges to the machine tool sector and it heartening to see that Indian machine tool manufacturers have been successful in building machines required for this transition. We at Zimmer-Group feel that the Indian Machine Tool sector will grow at a steady CAGR which is fuelled by the fact that high-end investments are being made by leading players for technological advancements to upgrade the existing machine tools and innovate new technologies for better performance and higher efficiency from machine tools. Growing focus of manufacturers for increasing the speed of production and procure cost-effective methods is aiding to the machine tools market growth. Growth in general machinery and vehicle production machinery is paving the way for high demand of machine tools and should continue for the next 3-5 years.
At Zimmer-Group, we have always believed in the philosophy of being sensitive to the changes in the demands of the market and keep pace with the new trends. One of the main business vertical at Zimmer-Group is focussed on providing smart solutions in the Machine Tool sector. We build solutions like the spindles and zero-point clamping systems which ensure that machines are getting more efficient and automation friendly. From the Handling technology vertical, we have successfully built more than 8000+ system solutions globally which are running successfully and have ensured that the machines are much more efficient and super productive! Additionally, we have one more business vertical Linear Technology, wherein we provide clamping solutions on the linear guides. Clamping and braking elements from Zimmer Group routinely perform critical positioning, holding and braking tasks. They ensure precision during cutting processes and boost efficiency with short cycle times. Their secure hold maximizes safety and protects the machines. In a nutshell, we are very upbeat that we have the right solutions from our product portfolio which will ensure that we are able to cater the growing demands of the machine tool sector in the coming years.
Awards and Accolades
Zimmer Group, a global leader in innovation, has been honoured with 20 national and international industrial, marketing and design awards over the last 20 months. These include such coveted prizes as the German Innovation Award, German Brand Award, various IF Design Awards and RedDot Design Awards. This serves as a remarkable demonstration of the performance capability of Zimmer Group, the design quality of our products and the high innovation standards of our platform strategy for the full range of products—now and going forward. And we do all this to ensure that we live up to what our customers expect of the KNOW-HOW FACTORY.
Organizational Vision
As THE KNOW-HOW FACTORY, we accompany our customers globally in the age of digital transformation on their way to the forefront of technology. We see ourselves not only as a technological leader and a manufacturer of hardware and software from a single source, but also as a competent partner in research and development. Zimmer Group stands for family business, passion, innovation, stability, expertise and the vision of securing the growth of our customers as a future full-range supplier. Excellent products and services have always been the foundation of our company’s growth. Zimmer is a source of ingenious solutions and important technical innovations. This is why customers with high expectations for technology frequently find their way to us and we remain committed to find solutions to all the complex problems which are posed to us by our customers!
We have an interdisciplinary approach to everything we do, resulting in refined process solutions in six technology fields. This applies not just to development but to production. Zimmer Group serves all industries and stands ready to resolve even the most unique and highly individualized problems. Customer orientation is perhaps the most important factor of our success. We are a service provider in the complete sense of the word. With Zimmer Group, our customers have a single, centralized contact for all of their needs. We approach each customer’s situation with a high level of competence and a broad range of possible solutions. Our vision is also to position ourselves strongly as a complete solution provider for every industry by staying innovative and building smart solutions which are scalable.
One of the important Technology areas for us is the Systems business wherein we combine the know-how of all technology areas of the Zimmer Group and offer our customers complete solutions, starting with end-of-arm tooling, through complex modules for process automation, to agile cells for state-of-the-art production facilities. The focus is on the four areas of mobility, automation, consumer goods and logistics. System technology supports both end customers and system integrators in realizing their production requirements with innovative and reliable automation solutions. Intensive support for the customer – from the concept phase to implementation and beyond – is our philosophy.
Organization’s Role in Industry Growth
Zimmer Group was founded by Martin Zimmer & Gunther Zimmer in the year 1980 and now has become a global player with a presence in more than 125 countries! In the course of the years, a widely diversified product range for almost all industries with corresponding automation requirements was created. In addition, many components were also developed, which found their way into modern mechanical engineering. Classic highlights such as our industrial shock absorber with patented spiral groove technology or clamping elements for profile rails create a clear added value for the customer. For over 5 years we have also been offering mechatronic components with regard to Industry 4.0 and human-robot collaboration, setting new standards in handling and automation technology. With regard to our corporate development, the integration of Sommer-Automatic in 1999 and the reorientation of the companies in 2013 was very decisive and is reflected in the corporate success of the last decades.
Getting Mechatronic!!
Mechatronics in automation technology is making steady progress. As one of the pioneers of intelligent electronic grippers, Zimmer Group provides users a GEP2000 series that opens up a wide variety of possibilities that are extremely difficult to implement by conventional mechanical means. The GEP2000 series has impressive gripping force retention even in a completely de-energized state and thus prevents the gripper from overheating. The focus is on the long stroke and free selection of the control.
Additionally, with the development of the GEP5000IL series, further standards were set. The mechatronic grippers, available since 2016, correspond to the previous commercially available pneumatically operated grippers in terms of volume, force as well as force/torque absorption. Equipped with the IO-Link communication module, this development also offers the user numerous additional options such as the use of predefined motion profiles or extended diagnostics for predictive maintenance.
Milestones in Human-Robot Collaboration
The Zimmer Group is one of the first manufacturers in the world to launch grippers for human-robot collaboration (HRC) in 2015. This innovation was honored with the Handling Award in the same year. The company now has the largest portfolio of DGUV-certified HRC grippers according to the protection principles of ISO/TS 15066 (HRC standard) worldwide.
Zimmer offers a wide variety of modules such as tool changers, axis compensation modules, rotary distributors and wireless LAN data transmission for “End of Arm Tooling “. Using dedicated apps that are integrated into the robot controller, a Zimmer user interface can be opened that makes programming the gripper simple and easy.