Oerlikon Balzers, surface solutions supplier, celebrated 25 years of operations in Pune, India, on October 12, 2019. The event also marked the inauguration of the new forming tools centre, a demonstration of Oerlikon Balzers’ continued commitment to the growing Indian market.
The existing customer centre has been substantially expanded, enabling Oerlikon Balzers to respond to the increased demand for high-quality coatings. The new dedicated production line features pre- and post-treatment and can handle large forming tools and low-pressure nitriding for metal, plastic and aluminium die casting tools.
In Pune, Oerlikon Balzers will serve suppliers in various sectors in the metal forming and plastics processing industry. The customer centre in Pune was Oerlikon Balzers’ first in India, and since opening in 1994 it has become a key pillar of the company’s global business. In order to meet the growing demand for its high-end coatings and pre- and post-treatment services, over the past 25 years it has opened new customer centres and enhanced existing production facilities that serve the major local and global players in the tooling, automotive and other industries.
Around 150 customers, 25 guests of honour and 150 employees gathered in Pune to celebrate the 25th anniversary with a grand inauguration ceremony, which following tradition included the unveiling of an inauguration plaque and the ribbon cutting.
The event was hosted by Oerlikon Balzers management, who were joined by L. Krishnan, Managing Director at TaeguTec; Vidhu Nevatia, Managing Director at Zecha Precision Tools Ltd.; Anton Angehrn, former Managing Director at Oerlikon Balzers; Dayanand Reddy, Managing Director at Vasantha Tool Crafts Pvt. Ltd; and Othmar Hardegger, Consul General of Switzerland in Mumbai.
Dr Wolfgang Kalss, Head of Cutting Tools at Oerlikon Balzers said, “After beginning operations in 1994, continuous investment in the form of new coating centres throughout India and consistently high-quality customer service have enabled Oerlikon Balzers to build a strong reputation and position itself as a leader in the coating industry in India, where we have always deployed our latest coating technology and equipment to offer outstanding products and services to our customers.”
