Machine Edge Global spoke with Mr. Gaurav Bawa, Senior Vice President of WIKA India, to explore the company’s journey since 1997 and its role within the global WIKA framework. With expertise in SF₆ gas solutions and a customer-centric approach, WIKA India has become a leader in precision measurement, supporting industries with innovative, sustainable technologies. In this interview, Mr. Bawa shares insights on WIKA’s contributions to India’s evolving power sector and its commitment to driving efficiency and reliability.
Can you share with us WIKA India’s journey and its role within the global WIKA framework?
WIKA India’s journey began in 1997 when we established our first operations in Pune. Since then, we have expanded our presence nationwide, with manufacturing facilities in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana. As a subsidiary of WIKA Group, a global leader in measurement technology, WIKA India plays a crucial role in ensuring that our customers in India receive high-quality, reliable measurement solutions designed and developed by WIKA. Our solutions are tailor-made for different industries, from power generation to machine building and automation.
Our strong customer collaborations have helped us adapt and innovate to meet the unique needs of the Indian market. Being part of the WIKA Group for over 28 years now, we hold expertise in delivery and have a wealth of knowledge and expertise in different domains. Our mission has always been to enhance the operational efficiency of industries through advanced measurement technologies, and we continue to do so by remaining deeply engaged with our customers and the broader industrial landscape in India.
WIKA India is known for its expertise in SF₆ gas solutions. What makes these solutions stand out in the market?
WIKA India is widely recognized for its specialized expertise in SF₆ gas solutions, which are essential for the power industry. Our solutions are designed to with precision and reliability, which helps us ensure long-term stability as well as efficient and safe operation of SF₆ gas-insulated equipment. We offer a comprehensive range of products such as gas density indicators, sensors, and monitors, all engineered for accurate performance even in demanding environments.
WIKA has recently launched a power campaign titled “REDEFINING ENERGY.
What sets our SF₆ solutions apart is our focus on reliability and safety. For example, our gas density switches alert plant managers when gas density falls below safe levels, preventing equipment damage. These switches feature a hermetically sealed, temperature-compensated design, minimizing false alarms and enhancing operational efficiency. We also support the power sector’s sustainability goals by reducing SF₆ gas leaks, improving monitoring, and contributing to a lower environmental impact.
WIKA’s product range includes gas density indicators, sensors, monitors, and switches. How do these innovations address the specific needs of the power industry?
WIKA’s gas density indicators, sensors, monitors, and switches are integral to power plants’ safe and efficient operation, particularly those using SF₆ gas-insulated switchgear (GIS). These products help monitor crucial parameters such as gas density, pressure, temperature, and humidity and help identify potential issues. Our gas density switches, for instance, are designed to detect when gas density falls below a critical threshold, signaling a possible leak. This early detection capability is essential for maintaining the safe operation of power plants. On the other hand, the sensors and monitors provide real-time data, enabling plant operators to track the condition of SF₆ gas and other key operational parameters, thereby optimizing performance and reducing the risk of equipment failure.
Access to these real-time measurements is crucial for the power industry, where downtime and maintenance costs can be substantial. WIKA’s products improve operational efficiency, reduce maintenance costs, and enhance safety by offering highly accurate, reliable solutions tailored to the sector’s demands.
With WIKA’s presence in four cities across India, how has this geographical footprint contributed to the company’s growth and service delivery?
WIKA India’s strategic presence across the country, backed by a strong network of regional offices and distributors, has been a key driver of our growth. This expansive footprint allows us to deliver tailored solutions to various industries, ensuring quick responses to customer needs and faster service delivery. We can meet the growing demand of high-quality measurement technology across India by serving established markets and emerging sectors.
Our localized support improves accessibility to our solutions and enhances operational efficiency. This enables us to provide services ranging from project consultation to long-term after-sales care. Partnering with distributors further extends our reach, strengthening our market position. Through this approach, we continue to drive growth, ensuring our customers receive the reliable, high-precision measurement solutions they need while reinforcing WIKA India’s leadership in the market.
How does WIKA ensure that its solutions remain comprehensive yet tailored to individual customer needs?
At WIKA India, we believe in the importance of offering both comprehensive and customized solutions. While our product portfolio covers various industries and applications, we recognize that each customer’s requirements are unique. To meet these demands, we work closely with our customers to understand their specific needs, challenges, and goals.
Our customer-centric approach allows us to offer personalized solutions that are both scalable and flexible. Whether it’s providing instrumentation for a large-scale power plant or creating custom measurement solutions for machine building, our solutions are designed keeping the requirements of the end-user in mind.
We also provide a range of other services such as product calibration, installation, and ongoing support. This helps us ensure that our solutions meet performance standards throughout their lifecycle. This approach also guarantees that our products remain effective, efficient and strengthens our partnerships with customers, as we support them every step of the way.
What major trends do you see shaping the power industry in India, and how is WIKA prepared to address them?
Several major trends are shaping the power industry in India, including digitalization, decarbonization, and the increasing need for sustainable energy solutions. The demand for more efficient and reliable power systems is growing, driven by India’s push for renewable energy sources and a focus on reducing carbon emissions.
WIKA is well-positioned to address these trends with its advanced measurement solutions. For instance, our IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) solutions are designed to enable real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance, helping power plants optimize their operations and reduce downtime. We also recognize the growing importance of renewable energy, and our solutions support the efficient monitoring of energy generation from solar, wind, and other sustainable sources.
In addition, with India’s growing focus on reducing SF₆ emissions and improving environmental sustainability, our SF₆ gas solutions play a crucial role in helping power companies meet regulatory standards while enhancing operational efficiency. By continuing to innovate and collaborate with customers, WIKA is committed to supporting the power industry in addressing these challenges.
How do you see the role of advanced instrumentation evolving in the context of India’s power infrastructure development?
As India advances its power infrastructure, advanced instrumentation becomes increasingly pivotal. The growing focus on renewable energy sources and the transition to more innovative and efficient systems make precise and reliable measurement technologies essential for optimizing power generation, transmission, and distribution. These technologies enable operators to enhance system performance, minimize energy losses, and ensure safety across the entire infrastructure.
At WIKA, we are committed to developing instrumentation solutions that address current challenges and remain adaptable to future advancements. Our focus on integrating IIoT-based technologies allows us to stay ahead of the curve and support the digital transformation of India’s power sector. By partnering with our customers, we aim to create a more sustainable, reliable, and efficient power infrastructure that will drive India’s energy future forward.