One time when I was a procurement manager at an intermediate valve firm, a change to our forging supplier in India resulted in six months of delay. They were not able to maintain the dimensional tolerances in the manufacturing of shafts that we required. We had to reject our orders three times before we realised that we picked the wrong forge.
According to IMARC Group, the Indian forging market size is expected to reach USD 10.6 billion by 2034. There are hundreds of forging units located in states such as Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal. However, even if all of those options seem equally good at first glance, not all forging suppliers will deliver satisfactory results. The mistake can be very costly.
Here is a list of the features that buyers should look for when choosing a forging company. If you are interested in open die forgings, closed die forgings, or ring rolled forgings, these are the things to consider.
Start With Certifications and Industry Approvals
ISO 9001:2015 certifications are not mere wall ornaments. ISO 9001:2015 certification indicates the presence of a quality management system within the company. However, take it further. Is the forging company approved by the user agencies that matter to your industry?
If you work with railways, then the RDSO certification matters. For power generation industries, NTPC or BHEL vendor approval is necessary. For the defence/aerospace sectors, approvals from government agencies come into the picture. When an Indian forging company gets certifications from user agencies relevant to their industry, it means they have been inspected by non-conformant certification agencies.
Evaluate Material Capabilities Before Signing Anything
But not all forges excel with every metal. Forging uses carbon steel and alloy steel extensively; however, there is also stainless steel, creep-resistant metals, aluminium alloys, and even copper. You would require a forging service that meets the needs of materials other than the usual grades.
For example, carbon steel makes up around 55% of India’s total forged production. It is important to check out the list of materials that the supplier can handle. Even better would be asking for proof of their capability to work with the metal in question, perhaps through test certificates for previous orders of the same material.
Assess Forging Processes and Infrastructure
Different forging processes are required to meet different needs. The four types include open die forging, closed die forging, ring rolling forging, and press forging. An open die forging supplier in India might not be ideal for your closed die forging needs.
Find out about their facility. How much hammer tonnage do they have? Do they use hydraulic presses? Do they have a ring rolling mill? If the forge is equipped with heat treatment facilities, CNC machines, and a die shop, you would get semi-finished or finished parts. This cuts down on additional suppliers in your supply chain.
Don’t Overlook In-House Quality Testing
QA must take place where the forging is made, and not later when it is delivered. Find forges that have well-equipped labs to conduct mechanical tests, spectroscopic analysis, ultrasonic testing, and dimensional checks. If the forge depends only on external laboratories for its quality checks, then there could be a problem in its QA process cycle.
NABL accreditation is a very good sign of an external laboratory. This shows that the methods of testing used by these labs conform to national norms, and the testing results are independently verified. Ask for some test results samples.
Delivery Track Record Speaks Louder Than Promises
We all know the supplier that promises 4 weeks but delivers in 8. Lead time for forging depends on material availability, die readiness, heat treating schedules, and machining delays. A dependable forging manufacturer in India will provide realistic lead times.
Get referrals from current customers. Inquire about their on-time delivery performance. If the forge deals with industries such as railways and oil exploration, where any delay means penalties, then their punctuality is above average.
Check Financial Stability and Business Longevity
A forging alliance can last for multiple years. You would not want to deal with a supplier who may face liquidity problems mid-contract. Businesses with years of experience, little debt, and good credit scores, according to rating organisations like CRISIL, tend to be better options.
Financial stability is an indication of the ability to invest. Successful forges invest in new machinery and increased production capabilities.
Export Experience Is a Quality Signal
The exports account for more than 30% of the income earned by the Indian forging industry, as per Persistence Market Research. The forge which exports needs to comply with international standards with regard to documentation, testing, packaging, and traceability. Even if you are a domestic customer, selecting a supplier with export experience ensures that your processes have a better foundation.
Making the Final Call
The selection of a forging supplier in India is not just about buying. It has to be a choice for running things. A good forge would act like an extension of your manufacturing prowess. One that knows your materials, works within your deadlines, and meets the same standards as you. But a bad forge will waste all the effort of your team on repeated reworks and phone calls.
You can make use of this list for evaluating your options. Certifications, expertise in handling materials, infrastructure capabilities, quality control measures, on-time deliveries, finances, and exports. In totality, there are seven aspects to consider when trying to choose a forging company.
Vishnu Forge Industries Limited has had the experience of manufacturing various forged and machined parts for over 60 years. This ranges from sectors like railways, oil & gas exploration, defence, and heavy electricals. So, if you want a trustworthy, ISO certified forge company with facilities for machining and heat treatments, looking into Vishnu Forge Industries Limited may prove useful.
