BFW Unveils BMV PLUS VMC at AMTEX 2026
Bharat Fritz Werner (BFW) has unveiled its new BMV PLUS Vertical Machining Centre (VMC) at AMTEX 2026, reinforcing its focus on productivity-driven manufacturing solutions for India’s rapidly evolving industrial landscape. In an exclusive interaction with mojo4industry, Ravi Raghavan, Managing Director, BFW, discussed the new machine, changing customer expectations, the company’s expansion plans, and his vision for the future of Indian manufacturing.
Q: BFW has launched the BMV PLUS Vertical Machining Centre (VMC) at AMTEX 2026. What are its key highlights, and what manufacturing challenges does it address?
Ravi Raghavan: As manufacturing grows, resource constraints will become one of the biggest challenges. If India has to achieve its manufacturing ambitions by 2047, the industry cannot continue growing in a linear fashion because that would consume enormous resources.
The BMV PLUS VMC has been developed specifically for mid-sized manufacturers that face space constraints. We have optimized the machine’s footprint while enhancing productivity through faster tool change and a higher-performing spindle. It is designed to deliver the three things every manufacturer is looking for today—better utilization of space, higher machining speed, and greater accuracy.
Q: Which application areas do you see as the biggest opportunities for the BMV PLUS VMC?
Ravi Raghavan: Traditionally, this machine is well suited for the automotive and auto component industry as well as die and mould applications. However, we’re now seeing significant demand from newer sectors such as electronics and energy. These industries are expanding rapidly in India, creating exciting opportunities for advanced machining solutions like the BMV PLUS VMC.
Q: Manufacturers today are demanding faster production, higher precision, and smarter operations. How is BFW addressing these evolving requirements?
Ravi Raghavan: We no longer look at ourselves as a company that simply supplies machine tools. Our objective is to provide complete manufacturing solutions. That could involve multiple machines, integrated automation, or even an entire production line.
Today’s customers don’t want standalone machines—they want solutions that improve their manufacturing process. That’s been our focus for the last decade. Working closely with customers, we develop optimized solutions by combining BFW’s machine tool expertise with the capabilities of M2NXT and our other subsidiaries to deliver smart machines, smart production lines, and smart factories.
Q: How do you view the future of Indian manufacturing?
Ravi Raghavan: Having spent nearly four decades in manufacturing, I can confidently say these are the most exciting times for the industry. The mindset across Indian manufacturing has changed dramatically compared to a decade ago.
The next generation of engineers will witness India becoming an advanced manufacturing nation. However, every company must prepare itself by developing new skills across software, metallurgy, and mechanical engineering while also building supply chains that can support much larger production volumes in the coming years.
Q: BFW has consistently invested in manufacturing capabilities. What are your future expansion plans?
Ravi Raghavan: Our promoters believed in India’s manufacturing potential as far back as 1961, and that vision continues to guide us. Over the years, we’ve invested heavily in factories and advanced manufacturing infrastructure.
Around three years ago, we commissioned a modern, digitized manufacturing facility designed to reduce machine production time. Today, demand has grown so rapidly that we are already expanding further. We’re now manufacturing machines weighing up to 170 tonnes, which require entirely new infrastructure. Our investments will therefore continue to focus on expanding manufacturing capacity to support future growth.
Q: Finally, if you had to describe BFW’s future in one sentence, what would it be?
Ravi Raghavan: We aspire to be one of the world’s most respected companies for innovation and technology – not simply by developing advanced technologies, but by using them to solve our customers’ real manufacturing challenges. That’s the impact we want to create.
