The IEC Automation Week was a two-day Mega Event that culminated with an Honours and Awards programme.

The Instrumentation Experts Club (IEC) recently held the IEC Automation Week – an Exposition comprising Technical Seminars and Exhibition – during the month November 2024 at iLeaf Grand Banquets, Palm Beach Galleria Mall, Vashi in Navi Mumbai. The IEC has completed 22 years and has stepped into the 23rd year. During this period spanning two decades and more, the IEC has organised more than 150 events during the course of which member companies showcased technology-based solutions, also arranging factory visits for better understanding of various processes.

This IEC Automation Week drew more than 275 attendees to explore solutions to the varied challenges being faced by industrial Process Automation and Control professionals in Oil & Gas, Power, Chemical and Petrochemical, Energy Management and Manufacturing domains.

The event began with the traditional Lighting of Lamp ceremony performed by Dr B R Mehta, Chairman IEC, together with the Members of the Core Committee members and CEOs present at the event. The welcome inaugural address was given by Dr B R Mehta and he gave details of activities of IEC in the last 22 years.

The CEO Conclave was addressed by Mr Ashish Gaikwad – Honeywell, Dr Abhijit Chatterjee – Adage Automation, Mr Amir Shah – Rotex valves, Dr Hemal Desai – Endress+Hauser, and Mr Alain Schillings – Pepperl+Fuchs.

After CEO Conclave presentations from international speakers were done and in the evening European Continental University convocation program was concluded with 21 candidates getting doctorate degrees in various fields of their specialisation.

The highlight of the event was active participation by more than 20 vendors who exhibited state-of-the-art products and innovative solutions. The following vendors were present at the venue:

Platinum Sponsors

1. Axis Solutions Pvt Ltd

2. Rotex Automation Ltd

3. Yokogawa India Ltd

Gold Sponsors

1. Adage Automation Pvt Ltd

2. Eaton India

3. Peppel & Fuchs India Pvt Ltd

4. Samson Controls Pvt Ltd

5. Aucotec India Pvt Ltd

Silver Sponsors

1. Endress & Hauser India Pvt Ltd

2. Blackbox Limited

3. Panam Engineers Ltd

4. Eureka Industrial Equipments Pvt Ltd

5. Phoenix Contact India Pvt Ltd

6. Lapp India Pvt Ltd

7. Pyrotech Workspace Solution Pvt Ltd

Supporting organisations:

1. United Electric Controls

2. Anacon Process Control Pvt Ltd

3. Pune Techtrol Pvt Ltd

4. ABN Equipments & Systems Pvt Ltd

5. Astec Valves and Fittings Pvt Ltd

6. Forbes Marshall, India

7. Compressor Control Corporation, India

8. Servomex, India

9. Baumer technologies India Pvt Ltd

10. Nagman Instruments and Electronics Pvt Ltd

11. Comfit Valves Pvt Ltd

The high point of the celebrations came when subject matter experts from users and consultants explained user perspective, case studies and insight to international standards and best practices.

A Souvenir and two books were launched on the occasion. The first book, ‘Instrumentation Reliability – Users’ Perspective’ by Dr Kartik Fojdar was unveiled by the CEOs and IEC core team members. The second book, ‘Unlocking the Power of OPC UA’, was inaugurated after lunch in the presence of one of the authors, Ms Smitha Rao of Utthunga Technologies.

There were a total of 14 presentations by experts on both days. The two-day event concluded with the Honours and Awards program at the end of second day. The proceedings on both days concluded with cultural programs, going down memory lane with vintage songs, performances and cocktails and dinner for all members, providing great networking opportunities.

Honours and Awards:

Emerging Leader Award to Mr Prashant Sinha of WIKA Instruments India

Outstanding/Distinguished Women achiever Award

Ms Smitha Rao – Utthunga Technologies

Ms Manisha Jain – Linde Engineering

Ms Khanjari Kumbhar – Burns & MacDonnel

One more award for women achiever was given to Ms Dipti Vaghasia of Tata Power but she was not present at the event.

Professional Excellence Awards

Mr Krishna Manjre – Kastech Instruments

Mr Ravi Paranjpe – Karandikar Laboratories

Mr Sunil Ladha – Pyrotech Workspace Solutions

Mr Suresh Babu – Walchandnagar Industries Ltd

Ms Rajalakshmi R – BARC

Mr Julian Yeo – United Electric Controls

Mr Jai Prakash Sharma – Retired from Reliance Industries

Mr Parimal Patel – Reliance Industries Ltd

Excellence in Technical Innovation Award

Mr Atul Raje, Managing Director, Samson Controls

MD/CEO Excellence Award – Indian Company:

Mr Naresh Mehta – Foxrar Industries

Mrs Mehta collected the trophy as Mr Naresh Mehta was not present at the event.

Mr Nirav Shah – Rotex Automation

Mr Jagdish Prajapati – Panam Engineers

Mr N P Khatan – Pune Techtrol Pvt Ltd

MD/CEO Excellence Award – MNC Company

Mr Gaurav Bawa – WIKA Instruments. He was unable to attend due to business tour.

Life Time Achievement Award – Mr Ashwin Panamanglore

Life Time Achievement Award – Dr V P Raman

The gathering also acknoledged the contribution of IEC Committee Members who worked tirelessly to make the program successful:

1. Dr Keyur Vora

2. Dr Kirti Shah

3. Dr V P Raman

4. Dr Kartik Fojdar

5. Dr Jignesh Shah

6. Dr Ravinder Goyal

7. Mr KR Sanjeev

8. Dr Ashish Manchanda

9. Mr S Mahesh Kumar

10. Ms Jyothi Joseph

11. Ms Bendicta Chettiar

12. Mr Zaid Sheikh

The Honours and Awards program ended by honouring Dr B R Mehta for his excellent services and contribution for last 22+ years in IEC right from its foundation in 2002. 

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