Metalman Auto: The Steel Frame That Automakers Ride On

A leading solution provider to all sheet metal and tubular frame fabrication needs of global automotive OEMs in the country, the company claims to leverage its first-mover advantage of embracing precision automation and Industry 4.0 in becoming ‘one-stop shop’ for all fabrication needs of automakers. In conversation with Mr. Nishant Jairath, Director Metalman Auto (P) Ltd.

- Dhiyanesh Ravichandran

The metal frame assembly is perhaps the most critical component in a motor vehicle, as it gives the essential structure to the machine – just like a human skeleton made of multiple bone arrangements that give our body shape, support, flexibility, and movement – upon which all other aggregates are attached. The sub-assemblies are likely to be the first chunk of auto parts that are put on the assembly line at the automakers’, something that is typically cherrypicked by vehicle makers from the best of design and quality that they can find among their suppliers.

And for a component supplier specialized in manufacturing those metal frames, things are not that easy either. These are custom-made products with a plethora of designs and variants to suit every single vehicle model, while their criticality factor calls for the fabricator to be present close to the OEM and perform just-in-time delivery, as volumes are huge, especially in case of motorcycles and three-wheelers. The supplier has to have an enormous capability base – technological and resource power – to cater to such demanding needs of their OEM clients, while also practicing frugal manufacturing to remain cost-competitive in the industry.

But to Metalman Auto, a manufacturing house that rolls out 12,000 motorcycle frames on a daily basis, the aforementioned heat is nothing but a piece of cake! A premier manufacturer of sheet metal and tubular fabricated assemblies and sub-assemblies predominantly to two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and off-road vehicles and construction equipment, the company is aggressively expanding its product portfolio and client base, with a slew of dedicated greenfield facilities for select clients and superior levels of automation.