Precision Camshafts inks tech pact with EMAG AG, aims to be one-stop global shop

Precision Camshafts Ltd (PCL), which manufactures over a million chilled cast iron camshafts every month at its Solapur plant in Maharashtra, has announced a strategic alliance with EMAG Germany to acquire tried-and-tested assembled camshaft technology which employs the EMAG-patented 'Force Free Heat Shrink' process. As per the alliance agreement, PCL will help EMAG develop a low-cost version of the technology and have a global patent on it for the next five years.

The improved cost-competitive process, developed through this alliance, will help reduce product cost by around 25 percent, and will be the first for any Indian assembled component manufacturer.

PCL, which currently produces over 150 varieties of camshafts for mainly small and midsize passenger vehicle engines (between 1.0 to 2.0 litres), is a supplier to over 20 OEMs globally. The company will have exclusive rights to this new technology worldwide and the two companies will work together to develop next-generation camshafts. At present, PCL is a single-source supplier to Porsche, Ford, BMW, GM, Fiat and Hyundai and ships 85 percent of its production to OEMs abroad. It also supplies to Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra in the domestic market.

Assembled camshafts, which are used predominately by OEMs in Europe and now in China and some developed countries, have increased strength of material and are lighter compared to conventional camshafts. This helps OEMs in their drive to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce emissions of their engines.

Making the announcement in Mumbai today, Yatin Shah, chairman and MD, PCL, said, “PCL, through the acquisition of this technology will be a complete solution provider for camshafts manufactured by different technologies." India is predominantly a chilled cast iron camshaft market. PCL also recently introduced 'Ductile Iron Induction Hardened' camshafts to its portfolio.

Dr Andreas Mootz, MD, EMAG Automation, Germany, said: "EMAG specialises in the entire spectrum of the machining process and is a trendsetter in the field of vertical turning centres for all machining needs. Using PCL's technological prowess and best practices in the manufacturing process, our products and technology will not only help meet the new demands of our global customers but our synergies will be leveraged from time to time to meet the growing demands of the automotive industry in the future."

PCL's manufacturing plant in Solapur comprises six foundries units and three machine shops. The company also has two manufacturing facilities in China, in Ningbo and Hozhou.

This latest move by PCL is its first step towards developing next-generation camshafts which will be required by OEMs in FY '20 and later. Shah feels that the powertrain of today is set to undergo a sea-change by then.

Photograph (L-R): Yatin Shah, CMD, Precision Camshafts, and Dr Andreas Mootz, MD, EMAG Automation, ink the deal.