… Subbakrishna K S, Sales Head at Kennametal India, in conversation with Efficient Manufacturing Magazine at Fastnex 2026 – International Trade Fair for the Fastener and Fixing Industry, BIEC, Bengaluru (21–25 January 2026)
Q. Could you briefly introduce Kennametal India and its core capabilities?
Kennametal is a U.S.-headquartered multinational with a strong global manufacturing footprint, operating around forty manufacturing locations worldwide. What differentiates us is our deep expertise in tungsten carbide manufacturing, where we control the entire value chain from powder metallurgy to finished, application-ready tooling solutions.
In India, Kennametal plays a critical role in supporting high-precision manufacturing across sectors, particularly where productivity, consistency, and tool performance are non-negotiable.
Q. What are Kennametal India’s key expectations from Fastnex 2026, especially in engaging with Indian fastener manufacturers?
Kennametal has been a solution provider to the fastener manufacturing industry for several decades. Fastnex 2026 presents a valuable opportunity for us to connect with OEMs and fastener manufacturers we are not yet engaged with.
Our primary expectation from this platform is to deepen industry engagement, showcase our technical capabilities, and demonstrate how our tooling solutions can address productivity, quality, and cost challenges across fastener manufacturing operations.
Q. Can you walk us through the products and technologies showcased by Kennametal at Fastnex 2026?
At this edition of Fastnex, we have showcased end-to-end solutions for fastener manufacturing. Our offerings are not limited to the final fastener stage alone.
We begin right at the wire rod and raw material preparation stage, providing tooling solutions for those processes as well. From there, we support every subsequent stage of fastener manufacturing with a wide portfolio of tools and grades, each designed for specific applications.
Fasteners are inherently high-volume products, and productivity is critical. Our application-specific grades and tooling solutions are engineered to deliver longer tool life, higher throughput, and consistent quality, enabling customers to improve overall manufacturing efficiency and returns.
Q. As the fastener market evolves, what key trends are you observing today?
Historically, fastener manufacturing was largely driven by the automotive sector, and production methods remained relatively unchanged for many years.
Today, we are seeing a clear shift. While automotive continues to be important, aerospace has emerged as a significant growth segment for fastener manufacturers. Major OEMs in aerospace now demand fasteners with higher precision, tighter tolerances, and superior material performance. Kennametal is actively working with these manufacturers, offering advanced tooling solutions tailored for aerospace applications. We are pleased to support this transition and contribute to the growing sophistication of fastener manufacturing in India.
Q. How does Kennametal position itself as a long-term partner rather than just a tooling supplier?
Our approach has always been solution-centric rather than product-centric. We work closely with customers to understand their specific manufacturing challenges—be it productivity bottlenecks, tool wear, or quality consistency.
By combining material science expertise, application engineering, and on-ground technical support, we help customers optimise their entire process, not just individual tools. This partnership mindset is what has allowed Kennametal to remain relevant and trusted across decades of industrial evolution.
Kennametal’s presence at Fastnex 2026 underscored its commitment to advancing India’s fastener and fixing industry through material innovation, precision tooling, and application-driven solutions. As sectors like aerospace add new performance demands, Kennametal continues to position itself at the intersection of scale, accuracy, and productivity.
