From pioneering collaborations to building a formidable indigenous presence, LMW Limited has consistently redefined the contours of India’s machine tool industry.
With over 80 models and 240 variants in its ever-expanding portfolio, the company’s journey is marked by deep customer integration, relentless R&D, and a bold commitment to Industry 4.0 and sustainability.
As it strengthens its global footprint, LMW continues to be a torchbearer of the ‘Make in India’ movement—delivering cutting-edge, high-precision solutions for automotive, aerospace, die mould, and electronics industries, while ushering in a smarter, more self-reliant manufacturing future, discovers Engineering Review in an exclusive interview with Siva Arvinth, President – LMW Machine Tool Division. Excerpts:
Q1. LMW has evolved from international partnerships to becoming a fully indigenous machine tool leader. What key milestones have defined this transformation?
Our journey started with global collaborations that helped us bring precision manufacturing to India. But the real transformation began when we set up our own R&D center to take a big step towards self-reliance.
From there, we launched indigenously developed CNC turning centers and machining centers tailored to Indian needs. The recent commissioning of our third state-of-the art manufacturing facility, spanning over 3 lakh sq. ft., marked another major milestone.
These achievements have helped us move from being technology adopters to becoming innovators with solutions that work not just in India but across the globe.
Q2. With over 80 models and 240 variants, how does LMW align its product development strategy with evolving customer expectations and industry-specific needs?
We stay close to our customers—that’s the core of our strategy. Every model we develop is based on actual needs from the engineering industries.
Our modular design and versatile machines help us to customize solutions for the automotive industry, aerospace, die mould, medical & electronic industries. We’re constantly taking feedback, tracking performance metrics, and fine-tuning features—be it higher speeds, thermal stability, or plug-and-play automation compatibility.
It’s about being agile and responsive, without ever compromising on quality.
Q3. Can you elaborate on how your R&D efforts are helping integrate Industry 4.0 technologies like IoT and predictive maintenance into your machines?
We have developed a proprietary digital platform that enables real-time machine monitoring, diagnostics, and predictive analytics.
Our R&D team works on embedding intelligent sensors and smart Human Machine Interface(HMI) screens into our machines, allowing users to optimize production, reduce downtime, and plan maintenance proactively.
This aligns with our goal to make every LMW machine future-ready for smart manufacturing environments.
Q4. How is LMW leveraging its legacy and technical expertise to support initiatives like ‘Make in India’ and contribute to India’s manufacturing resurgence?
‘Make in India’ isn’t just a slogan for us—it’s how we operate. We have developed an ecosystem and our machines are built using components made in-house.
Our vertically integrated setup ensures quality and speed, and more importantly, self-reliance. We also go beyond machines—training customer operators, co-developing processes, and building long-term technology partnerships.
This ecosystem approach directly contributes to India’s manufacturing strength and competitiveness on the global stage.
Q5. LMW has long been recognized for quality and precision. What operational practices and design philosophies help you maintain these benchmarks consistently?
We believe precision is not just built—it’s engineered at every step. Our design validation goes through simulation and real-world testing. We follow a zero-defect policy, lean manufacturing methods, and closed-loop quality control.
Since we manufacture most components in-house, we maintain complete traceability. Final assembly happens using custom jigs and fixtures to ensure accuracy and repeatability, even under heavy-duty machining conditions.
To further reduce human error, we’ve implemented digital measuring instruments and stage-wise functional monitoring systems.
Critical sub-assemblies are built using process automation to ensure consistent quality. Every operation is aligned with stringent ISO standards, making quality not just a checkpoint—but a continuous commitment.
Q6. How are your CNC machines catering to high-precision sectors such as aerospace, die mould, and electronics, where tolerance and reliability are mission-critical?
High-precision sectors like aerospace, die mould, and electronics require exceptional accuracy and reliability—and our machines are engineered to deliver exactly that.
With rapid traverse rates of up to 60 m/min, spindle speeds reaching 24,000 rpm, and acceleration up to 1G, our machines significantly reduce non-cutting time, enhancing both precision and overall productivity.
But our offering goes beyond the machine itself. We deliver complete turnkey solutions, including automation integration and process optimization, tailored to each customer’s application.
This end-to-end approach ensures consistent performance and positions us as a trusted partner in these demanding industries.
Q7. At the recent machine tool expos, you showcased your new products like the Vertical Turning Center, Turnmill Center, and Vertical & Horizontal Machining Centers. What makes these offerings stand out in terms of innovation and productivity?
Our machines were designed with real-world customer challenges in mind. We have introduced a range of Vertical Turning Centers for machining large components, Heavy-duty Vertical & Horizontal Machining Centers with BT, BBT & HSK spindles, Compact & Large Turnmill Centers for multitasking operations. These machines cater to various industries– such as Automobile, Aerospace, Die Mould, Electronics, Pumps & Valves, Oil & Gas, Railways, and many more.
Q8. Automation is redefining the manufacturing landscape. How is LMW supporting its customers in adopting gantry and robotic automation for improved throughput?
We see automation as a partnership, not just an add-on. Our team works hand-in-hand with customers to understand their part mix, cycle times, and space constraints. From designing the layout to installing gantry systems or robotic arms integrated with CNC controls—we manage the entire solution.
Operator training and after-sales support ensure that the transition to automation is smooth and sustainable.
Q9. Sustainability and digitalization are core concerns today. What measures has LMW taken in its design and production processes to address energy efficiency and digital transformation?
We’re embedding sustainability right into our designs. Our machines use energy-efficient components like servo drives.
On the digital front, we’re now using digital twin technology to simulate and optimize machine performance before production.
Inside our factories, we’re using data to reduce waste, manage energy, and plan production efficiently. It’s a continuous journey—and we’re committed to making it count.
Q10. What is your vision for the next five years, especially in terms of global competitiveness and technological leadership?
Our focus is clear: to be a global reference point in precision manufacturing. That means expanding into new international markets, deepening our footprint in existing ones, and accelerating smart machine adoption here in India.
We’re investing in next-gen technologies, building smarter, greener machines. It’s not just about selling more—it’s about delivering better, staying ahead of the curve, and creating real value for our customers worldwide.
