So we decided to address this gap as a CSR activity. Accordingly, we donated two machines and two trainers, and started an operator training programme in Bangalore in batches of 20-22. We accepted 10 or 10+2 people for this course, taught them the basics of maths and trigonometry and made them go through what we call Micromatic LPM (Learn Practice Master). We exposed them to the entire ecosystem of the machines. Moreover, these trainees were sent to the actual shopfloor environ to make them understand the real job situations. As a result, people who successfully completed this course were immediately absorbed by many companies.

After the pilot project was successful, we replicated it in other regions like Chennai, Pune and so on. The course content was also made available in regional languages. Different courses and levels were introduced to make the programme more industry oriented and contemporary. Today, 4,500 operators are gainfully employed through this programme. We are happy that we have given the semi-educated youth an opportunity to scale up in life. Another interesting aspect of this programme is that about 17-18 of these operators have taken a bigger leap and have become entrepreneurs by setting up their own small businesses.

We have now also partnered with ITIs and Polytechnic institutes. Moreover, we continue to improvise and upgrade the courses. Trained operators can even come back and further enhance their skills.

Another important aspect of the AMTC is exhibitions and networking events that we conduct for customers in collaboration with associated sectors. These events are quite useful as they bring out a lot of good suggestions and solutions. Typically, we have about 70 percent of existing customers and 30 percent of potential customers.

You have recently also diversified into the foundry business. What is the business logic behind this move and how are you leveraging this new capability?

The whole initiative started with our strategy to have backward integration in terms of castings. Earlier, we were sourcing 100 percent of our castings requirement but with the foundry we are able to meet close to 40 percent of our requirement in-house. We believe this will also help us boost our export capabilities. Of course, we have just started so we will take a stock of things as we progress further. But we certainly would like to make this a separate business for us going ahead.