Economy & Market

Revolutionizing the 3-D modeling hierarchy

Published

14 years ago

April 30, 2012

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In an exlusive chat with Indian Cement Review, Andre Corniere, Director, Steel Segment, Tekla comments on the company’s emphasis on customer satisfaction and belief that a proper 3-D model based solution leads to reduction in costs and wastage and ensures timely delivery of projects.Please tell us something about Tekla in briefA group of three engineering firms came together and formed a joint software company in Helsinki, Finland in 1966. The company was named as Teknillinen laskenta Oy ("technical computing") and was registered in February 1966. The trading name of the company was later abbreviated to Tekla and its first office was located at Helsinki, Finland. The foundation for Tekla’s operations was defined as ADP consultation, computing services, training courses and software development.What are the chief business areas of the company?The first major business area for the company is building and construction, whose share of net sales in 2010 was 74 per cent. The other major business area is infrastructure and energy, whose share of net sales in 2010 was 26 per cent.Please comment on the software products developed by the company for the building and construction industry?As a company totally dedicated to customer satisfaction, Tekla believes that a proper model based solution to the issue at hand leads to securing information flow and accuracy, resulting in reduction in cost and wastage and timely delivery of projects. It is with this aim that the Tekla BIM (Building Information Modeling) software solutions have been developed to work like model based encyclopedias for construction projects, allowing to include every important detail while managing the construction process as a whole. Tekla BIMsight is a free of charge software application for model-based project cooperation.Tekla Structures software provides an accurate, detailed and data-rich 3D environment which can be shared by contractors, structural engineers, steel detailers and fabricators, precast and cast-in-place concrete contractors, detailers and manufacturers. It can also be shared by educational institutions and application developers.What software products have been developed by the company for the energy and infrastructure industry?For the infrastructure and energy industries, the company has developed Tekla Solutions which provides powerful information management and process support tools for infrastructure-related business operations in energy distribution, public administration and civil engineering. This is based on the most advanced industry-specific software products and applications on the market. The other software formats developed by the company for the energy and infrastructure industries are :a) Tekla NIS (Network Information System) for energy and water utilities’ business operationsb) Tekla Municipality GIS for technical activities of municipalitiesc) Tekla Civil for infrastructure design and constructiond) Tekla DMS (Distribution Management System) for distribution network monitoring and operations support.How compatible are the company’s software products with other existing applications?The BIM software of Tekla can be used for interfacing with other existing applications. Consequently, it can be used as a platform for developing a customizable internal solution. The software is an open solution which supports interoperability and standardization. Through the Tekla Open API???application programming interface that is implemented using Microsoft? .NET technology. Standard formats supported by Tekla are IFC, CIS/2, SDNF and DSTV. Examples of proprietary formats supported by Tekla are DWG, DXF and DGN.Where does the company place India as part of its global growth strategy?
As a part of the global growth India has emerged as a new centre for construction activities and is attracting many international contractors and engineering companies. A fast growing economy, rapidly expanding middle class (300 million) representing a vast consumer market, rapid urbanization and developing industry, housing and infrastructure are opening vast possibilities for sustained construction business.The Construction is the second largest economic activity in the country next to agriculture. With its various links the Indian Construction industry has generated employment for roughly 35 million people in the country. Today India is the second fastest-growing economy in the World. The Indian construction industry has been playing a vital role in overall economic development of the country, growing at over 20% Compound Annual Growth Rate over the past 5 years and contributing ~8% to GDPMost of the organized companies has started adopting latest technology and construction management tools , most importantly 3D based technology & work process which has improved reliability, speed and quality at the production level. More and more automatism at the production level via Robot (CNC Driven) for the Steel construction as well as PreCast construction. Stronger security measures will be put in forceThe virtual 3D model will become more and more the center of information for the project by adopting BIM ( Building Information Modeling) technology allowing interoperability between different project players. More and more prefabricated components will be provided for a faster and more accurate erection.More automatic machine tools will be brought into the shop for Technology tool like Tekla Structure which support not only 3D model based design process but also carries the same till erection purpose, will be household application for any construction house. The useful application within Tekla Structure on 4D (Time) and 5D (Cost) will be used more and more on compact schedule construction projects.Last but not the least , the GREEN factor will come in to play and its proven fact now that proper BIM technology like Tekla Structure is supporting that Green move.The BIM-based workflow supports the modern requirements of sustainability and green building. By optimizing prefabrication and site management and enabling a paperless process, any worksite can be more sustainable and efficient. Accurate, model based communication enables better constructability through finding, reacting to, and correcting possible design errors early before on-site construction. Wastage of raw materials will decently reduce by adopting such technology.Apart from India, which are the other major markets for Tekla? How does it plan to consolidate and expand in these markets?Apart from India, Tekla India is now focusing on Bangladesh & Sri Lankan markets. In Bangladesh we will be Collaborating up with a new local partnersPlease elaborate on the different training programs held by the company for its customers?Tekla helps all new Tekla Structures customers to get started by means of free self-learning material available on the web as well as customized training sessions are also provided at the customer’s premises.All users holding a valid software maintenance agreement are invited to join annual local Tekla Structures user meetings. During the meetings, they receive valuable information on the latest developments as well as get an opportunity to discuss regional requirements and issues related to the software or industry.What is the R&D spend of the company as a percentage of its overall revenue?For Tekla’s B&C Industry the annual investment in R&D is around 20% of net sales.

Concrete

Wonder Cement appoints Mahesh Singh as VP Corporate Brand Communication

Published

5 days ago

October 9, 2026

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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

6 days ago

October 8, 2026

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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

7 days ago

October 7, 2026

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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.