Economy & Market

Hannover Fair with CeMAT | Packaging and logistics for tomorrow

Published

9 years ago

February 28, 2018

admin

This year, the Messe is being held concurrently with CeMAT 2018, a reputed logistics, packaging and supply chain event, and therefore, this joint congregation is expected to draw an even larger level of attention.
Hannover Messe is undoubtedly the flagship trade fair in the world on industrial products, held every year in April, in the trade fair city of Hannover in Germany. In fact, this fair is as important to Industrial Products, as Olympics are to Sports ! Like in previous years, this year too, the Deutsche Messe Team organised a preview of the fair on 6th February, to showcase a few selected exhibitors and exhibits, the ones which might hog the limelight in the fair proper. Domain-specialist journalists from all over the world participated in this event. The obvious objective of such a preview is to gain global traction for the forthcoming fair itself, by highlighting the items that might be of special interest to the potential visitors.
This year, the Messe is being held concurrently with CeMAT 2018, a reputed logistics, packaging and supply chain event, and therefore, this joint congregation is expected to draw an even larger level of attention. Almost forgot to mention that this year Mexico is the partner country for the exhibition. So, while walls may be coming up on their US border, doors are opening up for Mexico, in Europe, evidenced by the fact that number of Mexican exhibitors has gone up from a mere 5 in the past, to more than 150 in this edition of the fair. Primarily, Mexico’s presentations will be expected to promote investments into that country.
A few words regarding CeMAT (being held concurrently) will be in order. CeMAT as an event, represents the function of intralogistics and supply-chain management. While the flagship CeMAT Fair is held in Hannover, there are seven sister events held worldwide throughout the year according to a calendar. What to expect in a CeMAT exhibition? A CeMAT show covers every area of logistics. Its scope includes energy saving fork lifts and industrial trucks, fully automated handling systems, hoists and working platforms, ingenious racks and warehousing systems, the latest in control systems, logistics IT, and everything else that falls in between. Other key highlights may include cranes and lifting equipment, access platforms, auto ID systems, robotic logistic solutions and packaging technologies.
This year, there were in all 38 exhibits in the preview, and at least a good four or five of them showcased logistics related products or services. The presentations by Toyota and SAP come to mind in the logistics space. Latest offerings to optimise supply chains will be of great interest to Indian visitors to the fair, since our country is currently going through a period of transformation in logistics, what with implementation of GST, blooming of e commerce and e tailing activities and gradual improvement of infrastructure. ‘Factories of the Future’, famously ascribed the strategic name of Industrie 4.0 in earlier editions of Hannover Fairs, need Logistics 4.0 in order to be successful, and it is only expected that concurrent holding of CeMAT will provide invaluable inputs to supply-chain practitioners. For example, concepts like ‘Autonomous Fork Lift Trucks’ hold the promise of revolutionising warehouse mechanics for good. Cement industry being highly logistics-intensive, the industry players may get an idea or two from this two-in-one fair, particularly from CeMAT, which focuses on automation in packaging and logistics.
This need of collaboration between manufacturing and logistics is truly reflected in this year’s lead theme, which is Connect and Collaborate, and I found this expression beautiful, in the sense that this could also be hinting at collaboration between the machine and the man, people and robots, besides talking about the synergy between ‘state of the art’ manufacturing and ‘state of the art’ packaging/logistics. It will be very very interesting to discover, how this theme expresses itself in the full version of the fair including CeMAT, in April.
Now, talking about some specific items on display, I was as usual, impressed by the functional innovation of Ziehl ? Abegg, who showcased the ‘ZAcube Modular Fan System for efficient retrofitting of ventilation installations. We can get an idea of the equipment from the accompanying photograph. As design parameters and thermal loads for airconditioning and ventilation systems may change over time, this solution eliminates the need for total change of fans and drives, by introducing modular concept of fans.
Also have a look at the manual pallet lift truck ( photograph here ) which, the manufacturers (Clark Europe GmbH) claim to be the first ever Lithium-Ion Battery operated device for storage/handling solutions, which has the potential to reduce the recharge frequencies.
There was a highly captivating demonstration of the possibility of autonomous and automated robotic technology for warehouse material handling, which straightaway belong to realm of the future, the ‘Factories of the Future’. This was a demo product of a start up company from Munich, Germany, called Magazino, and this seems to hold immense possibilities for the future.
Lastly, one can learn from the interesting exhibit of Toyota Material Handling whereby Toyota brings out the essence of their famed Toyota Production System (TPS) and how the same thinking can be applied achieve maximum efficiency in logistics operations.
On the whole, my takeaway from the preview was rather down to earth, and not euphoric. There was no great new startling innovation in terms of any new products or processes seen on display. However, I must hasten to add, that outstanding efforts were visible in innovative applications, optimisation and integration of known hardware and/or software possibilities, all of which can potentially help deliver much more than just incremental improvements in factories and supply chains. I must submit in conclusion, that in these exhibits that were on show, the innovation lies in thinking, conceptualising and then implementing wonderfully integrative manufacturing strategies deploying a combination of already available cutting edge technologies.

Concrete

Wonder Cement appoints Mahesh Singh as VP Corporate Brand Communication

Published

4 days ago

October 9, 2026

admin

Singh brings 20+ years of brand and marketing experience, and will lead integrated corporate brand communication initiatives at Wonder Cement

New Delhi

Wonder Cement, a leading cement manufacturer, has appointed Mahesh Singh as Vice President – Corporate Brand Communication. In his new role, he will oversee corporate brand strategy and communication, including digital and performance marketing, public relations, trade, events, exhibitions, sports and experiential marketing.

Singh brings over two decades of experience across marketing and communications, with roles spanning the automotive industry, agencies and entrepreneurship. He spent more than a decade with Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, working across integrated communication, media, digital, retail and consumer engagement. His stint also included helping build the company’s digital marketing capabilities.

He moved to dentsu X India as Vice President – Strategy & Planning, working across categories such as automotive, auto components, electric vehicles, FMCG, consumer electronics, BFSI, apparel and brand consulting. His responsibilities included media and marketing strategy, product launches, content, performance marketing and consumer activations.

Singh subsequently took an entrepreneurial route with Radiant Brands before joining Shriram Ltd (SPR Autotech) as Head – Marketing & Communications. There, his remit included brand and corporate strategy, communications, PR and ORM, retail identity, loyalty programmes and events.

At Wonder Cement, Singh will be responsible for bringing together the company’s corporate brand communication initiatives across digital, performance marketing, PR, trade, sports and experiential platforms. The role will focus on creating an integrated approach to communication across consumers, trade partners and other key stakeholders.

The appointment brings to Wonder Cement a marketer whose career has spanned the brand, agency and entrepreneurial sides of the communications ecosystem.

Wonder Cement, part of the RK Group, is a cement manufacturer with roots in Rajasthan and a focus on quality, trust and transparency. The company has grown to six manufacturing plants, and a cement capacity of 21.5 MTPA. With more than 2,000 employees and a network of over 5,000 dealers, its operations span manufacturing, distribution and customer engagement, with a focus on consistent product quality and efficient execution.

Concrete

JSW Cement commissions additional 1 MTPA grinding unit at Nagaur

Published

5 days ago

October 8, 2026

admin

With this commissioning, JSW Cement’s total cement grinding capacity has increased to 25.10 MTPA,
Mumbai

JSW Cement, one of India’s leading green cement producers and part of the diversified JSW Group, today announced the successful commissioning of an additional 1.00 MTPA cement grinding unit at Nagaur, Rajasthan. The commissioning marks another significant milestone in the Company’s growth strategy.

With this commissioning, JSW Cement’s total cement grinding capacity has increased to 25.10 MTPA, while its total clinker manufacturing capacity, including clinker capacity at its joint venture, JSW Cement FZC, stands at 9.74 MTPA.

JSW Cement had commenced operations in North India in March 2026 with the Nagaur Integrated Plant, comprising a 3.30 MTPA clinkerisation unit and 2.50 MTPA cement grinding unit. With the commissioning of the additional 1.00 MTPA cement grinding unit, the plant’s total cement grinding capacity has increased to 3.50 MTPA, enhancing the company’s ability to cater to the growing cement demand across Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and the National Capital Region (NCR). The expansion has been funded through a strategic mix of equity and long-term debt.

During the quarter ended 30th September 2026, JSW Cement has also commissioned the Alternate Fuel Handling System and the Waste Heat Recovery system (WHRS) at the Nagaur Integrated Plant.

Nilesh Narwekar, CEO, JSW Cement, said: “The commissioning of additional 1.00 MTPA grinding capacity at Nagaur is a key strategic priority for us and will accelerate JSW Cement’s expansion into North India. We look forward to servicing the growing needs of the region and contributing to the economic growth of Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and the NCR area. I am delighted to share that the company has commissioned this grinding unit within the expected timeline, showcasing our project execution capabilities. Further, the Alternate Fuel Handling System and the Waste Heat Recovery system (WHRS) are expected to substantially reduce our production costs going forward.”

Concrete

UltraTech becomes first Indian cement firm to cross 2 GW green energy

Published

5 days ago

October 7, 2026

admin

UltraTech Cement has crossed 2 GW of captive green energy capacity, with renewables and waste heat recovery meeting 48 per cent of its power needs.

Mumbai

UltraTech Cement Limited has surpassed 2 GW of installed green energy capacity for captive use, becoming the first cement company in India to achieve the milestone. The Aditya Birla Group company commissioned 116.55 MW of wind capacity at its Inter-State Transmission System-connected wind-solar hybrid project in Barmer, Rajasthan, along with 10 MW of Waste Heat Recovery System capacity at Sarlanagar Cement Works in Karnataka.

With these additions, UltraTech’s cumulative installed green energy capacity has reached 2,024 MW. This includes 1,580 MW of renewable energy capacity and 444 MW of waste heat recovery capacity, together meeting around 48 per cent of the company’s current power requirements.

The company said the milestone reflects the progress of its long-term energy transition strategy. In FY27 so far, nearly one-third of UltraTech’s 76 manufacturing units in India have maintained green energy utilisation above 50 per cent of their electricity requirements, while five units have crossed 95 per cent.

K C Jhanwar, Managing Director, UltraTech Cement Limited, said, “Crossing the 2 GW green energy milestone is the result of a strategy we have pursued consistently over the past decade. Cement is an energy-intensive, hard-to-abate sector, and showing that reliability and growth can go hand in hand with a rapid shift to green energy sets a benchmark for the industry. With nearly half of our power needs now met through green energy, we are significantly less exposed to fossil fuel supply constraints and power price volatility. As we scale up renewables, waste heat recovery and battery storage across our operations, we are building an energy foundation for stable, long-term growth.”

UltraTech commissioned 430 MW of green energy capacity in FY26 and continues to expand its renewable energy and waste heat recovery portfolio.

The company is also progressively integrating Battery Energy Storage Systems across its operations to improve renewable energy utilisation and supply reliability.

In 2025, UltraTech operationalised what it described as India’s first on-site hybrid round-the-clock renewable energy project at Sewagram Cement Works in Gujarat. The project combines solar, wind and battery storage.

As part of its decarbonisation strategy, UltraTech said it has not invested in new captive thermal power capacity for either greenfield projects or brownfield expansions at its integrated units for more than a decade.

The company said its expanding green energy portfolio is helping reduce dependence on conventional grid electricity and fossil fuel-based power, while lowering exposure to fluctuations in coal and electricity prices.

UltraTech aims to increase green energy’s share in its total power mix to 85 per cent by 2030. As a member of RE100, it has also committed to meeting 100 per cent of its electricity requirement through renewable sources by 2050.

UltraTech Cement, the cement flagship of the Aditya Birla Group, has a total grey cement capacity of 210.1 MTPA and white cement and putty capacity of 3.5 MTPA. The company is also a signatory to the GCCA Climate Ambition 2050 and has committed to the GCCA Net Zero Concrete roadmap.