With a legacy rooted in German precision and a forward-looking commitment to smart manufacturing, Otto Bilz India has evolved into a technology-driven leader in tool clamping and holding solutions. Since its inception in 1989, the company has continually adapted to the changing needs of the industry through innovation, digitalization, and a customer-centric approach. At ACMEE 2025, Otto Bilz India made waves with cutting-edge offerings, including award-winning shrink-fit technology, synchronized tapping solutions, and Industry 4.0-ready smart tools. In this exclusive conversation, Mr. Michael Voss, President, Bilz Group, sheds light on the company’s strategic growth, sustainability focus, and vision for empowering India’s manufacturing future. Excerpts:
Q. Otto Bilz has a rich legacy and global footprint in clamping technology. How has the Indian subsidiary evolved since its inception in 1989 to meet local and global demands?
Since its inception in 1989, Bilz in India has undergone a remarkable journey to evolve from a manufacturing hub for precision clamping tools to a key player meeting both regional and global demands by local adaptation and expansion, product diversification, quality accreditations to emphasize quality and environmental standards (achieved ISO9001 & ISO14001 certifications), technological innovation and global integration, market reach and trade dynamics, skilled/trained workforce and organizational development, strategic positioning with local market alignment, global synergy and trade connectivity worldwide.
Q. What are some of the innovative products and solutions Otto Bilz India has showcased at ACMEE 2025, and how do they address current machining and tooling challenges?
At ACMEE 2025, Bilz India spotlighted several cutting-edge solutions tailored to overcome modern machining and tooling challenges like,
- state of the art shrink fit machine with integrated liquid cooling and drying, achieving chuck cooldown quickly in 20 seconds known for its safety & speed and productivity boost.
- CNC Tool Holders & Accessories – A one stop shop for complete toolholding setups with consistent reliability, accuracy and German quality.
- Standard & special Taps
- Cutting tools from the group company Boehlerit, Austria.
- Synchronized tapping chucks and adaptors – Eliminates tool slippage and damage during tapping operations, delivering high conversion accuracy and lower scrap rates.
Q. Induction shrinking is a key area of your expertise. How does Bilz differentiate its shrink-fit solutions from other players in the market?
Bilz differentiates its induction-based shrink fit solutions through a combination of patented technologies, automation, safety, efficiency, and Industry 4.0 readiness.
Bilz’s patented induction coil & localized heating along with advanced liquid cooling & drying. Integrated “cool-down” tower cools chucks up to 10× faster than conventional air or contact methods—bringing them to safe temperatures in ~20 seconds. No manual handling of hot chucks, dramatically reducing burn risk supported by data reader/scanner to ensure error-free workflow.
Bilz shrink units have won the Red Dot Award for a modular setup that supports individualized configurations, energy efficient, eco-friendly, Industry 4.0 and Traceability Ready. The new compact IRIS coil streamlines diameter changes—no disc swapping, fast setup, and user-replaceable.
Q. With ‘Smart Tools’ becoming the industry buzzword, how is Otto Bilz contributing to the digitalization of manufacturing processes through its offerings?
Bilz is actively steering the digital transformation of manufacturing by embedding “Smart Tools” and Industry 4.0 capabilities into its core offerings. We are making machining smarter, safer, and more connectedoffering Tool Identification & Traceability – TDS (Tool Dialog System) through embedded data chips, GUI graphical user interfaces on shrink units, QR/barcode scanners enabling quick tool selection and reducing setup mistakes.
Bilz’s automated orientation clamping systems integrate seamlessly with robotic cells, enabling rapid tool changeovers without manual alignment—ideal for automated, lean manufacturing units.
Bilz offers in-line measuring and vibration-damping solutions, combined with smart sensors to monitor tool pressure, honing processes, and machine stability in real time. In effect, we are into Connected Manufacturing – Industry 4.0 Integration.
Q. Customer-specific tool design appears to be a major strength of Bilz- right?
Bilz’s strengths in customization:
- Deep technical expertise to fine-tune tool geometry and materials for niche industrial requirements.
- Capability to bundle hardware, digital interfaces, and documentation into a unified solution.
- Innovative use of smart, connected tooling systems meeting traceability and productivity goals simultaneously.
Q. Sustainability is an industry imperative today. How does Otto Bilz align its manufacturing and product development with environmental standards and energy efficiency?
Bilz India aligns its manufacturing and product development with sustainability and energy efficiency through several industry-leading practices.
Bilz’s sustainability strategy is embedded in efficient design, smart operation, and smart consumption.
These efforts support not only compliance with environmental norms but also deliver real-world cost and resource efficiency benefits to customers—aligning manufacturing with sustainable development and net-zero ambitions.
Q. Being certified under ISO 9001 and 14001, how does quality and environmental compliance shape your day-to-day operations and long-term vision?
Quality & Green at the Core
- Operational Excellence:
Daily adherence to ISO systems ensures consistent high quality and efficient, low-impact processes. - Strategic Advantage:
Certifications support market access, trust-building, and regulatory readiness. - Future-ready Vision:
Bilz integrates environmental considerations into its product and process design, aligning with global ESG commitments and setting paths for continual improvement.
The ISO frameworks don’t just define what Bilz does—they shape how the company behaves, innovates, and plans—for sustainable performance today and tomorrow.
Q. What strategic role does participation in platforms like ACMEE play for Otto Bilz India, and what message would you like to convey to the manufacturing community visiting your booth?
ACMEE helps us in market visibility and local engagement, lead generation, sales acceleration, launchpad for new products, building long-term relationship.
Participation in an international event ACMEE underlines Bilz India’s commitment to being customer-focused, innovation-driven, and deeply involved in India’s manufacturing ecosystem. It is not merely about showcasing products—it’s about building visibility, validating solutions, driving business growth, and reinforcing commitment to tailored, future-ready tooling solutions.
