ASNT Leadership Visits ICENDE 2024 and Engages with Key Industry Leaders Across India

Chennai, India — The leadership team of the American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) made a notable visit to the International Conference and Exhibition on Nondestructive Evaluation (ICENDE 2024), a prestigious event jointly organized by the ASNT India Section and ASNT India. The delegation included Neal Couture, CEO of ASNT; Jason Riggs, Vice President of ASNT; Paul Lang, Chief Global Strategy Officer of ASNT and Executive Director of ASNT Certification Services; Nealy Wheat, Chief Financial and Administrative Officer of ASNT; Prakash Gokulanandam, Director and General Manager of ASNT India; and Mohammad Abufour, Director of Region 19.

During the conference, the ASNT leadership met with several industry leaders, including representatives from NLC India Ltd., Reliance Industries, and other key organizations. Discussions focused on advancing the field of Nondestructive Testing (NDT) and exploring collaborative opportunities to promote the industry's growth in India and globally.

While in Mumbai, the ASNT team met with Mr. Anil Parab, Whole-Time Director and Senior Executive Vice President (Heavy Engineering and L&T Valves) of Larsen & Toubro at the company’s Powai office. The conversation focused on potential initiatives to enhance NDT practices and expand training within the industry. The delegation continued to Delhi, where they held high-level discussions with leading organizations such as GAIL, NTPC, Maruti, Thales, and the Director General of Civil Aviation. These meetings highlighted the critical role of ASNT’s training and certification programs in developing the skills and expertise of professionals in the NDT sector.

One of the key highlights of the trip was the meeting with the Honorable Railway Minister, Mr. Ashwini Vaishnaw. The ASNT team presented an overview of ASNT's mission and activities, emphasizing the importance of NDT in ensuring safety and operational efficiency across various sectors. The discussion explored how ASNT's expertise could assist Indian Railways in enhancing safety and performance through advanced NDT techniques.

The team had a productive meeting with the ASNT India Section leadership to review ongoing initiatives and discuss future objectives. Additionally, ASNT also held a significant meeting with the Indian Society for Non-destructive Testing (ISNT) to explore potential collaboration and new ventures within the NDT industry. This meeting marks a major step toward strengthening the partnership between both organizations, promoting knowledge sharing, and advancing global best practices in the field.

In parallel, the ASNT and AWS teams discussed the possibility of a strategic collaboration in India, aimed at combining their expertise in Nondestructive Testing (NDT) and welding to boost professional development opportunities. They explored joint certification programs to meet the growing demand for skilled technicians in both fields, as well as the establishment of shared training facilities. The collaboration would also involve co-hosting events and workshops to foster innovation and knowledge exchange within the Indian industry, supporting the growth of NDT and welding practices in the region.

The ASNT leadership concluded their tour with a visit to the ASNT India facility in Chennai, where they reviewed ongoing projects and outlined future plans to further enhance ASNT’s presence and impact in the region.

The ASNT leadership’s visit to India reaffirms the organization’s commitment to fostering strong partnerships and advancing the NDT profession both in India and on the global stage.

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