India's manufacturing sector stands at a crossroads, where the focus is shifting towards innovation, skill development, and sustainability. As the world embraces more sustainable practices, India has a unique opportunity to lead, blending advanced technology with homegrown talent. By honing these areas, India can shape a future of manufacturing that is both globally competitive and mindful of its resources and people.
A panel discussion based on the topic – ‘Crafting India's Future: Advancing Innovation, Skill and Sustainability in Manufacturing' was organised at the Festival of Manufacturing in Mumbai. Eminent panellists like Pushkar Gokhale, EVP & Business Head of the Security Solutions business, Godrej & Boyce, Bill Shukla, Managing Director, Milacron India, Nilam Pathak, CEO & Co Founder, Rozgar Dhaba, Vikas Kapur, Chief Business Officer, Zavenir Daubert India Pvt Ltd, Sanjay Sangam, Head of Sales & Marketing, Renishaw and Rengaraj Sankarappan, Head- Quality & HSE, Kirloskar Oil Engines Limited participated in it. The panel was moderated by Vaibhav Dange, Former Advisor, NHAI.
Embracing innovation in manufacturing
Bill Shukla, Managing Director of Milacron India, spoke about the transformative journey of India's manufacturing sector over the last few decades. Reflecting on his experiences, he expressed optimism about India's manufacturing prospects for the next 20 years. "I feel this is India's golden age for manufacturing," he said. He emphasised that innovation in manufacturing goes beyond just creating new products.
"Innovation doesn't always have to mean breakthrough products. It can be in processes—how we deliver service, transport goods, or even the way we market," Bill shared.
He also highlighted the evolution of machinery and technology, noting how industries continuously improve to stay in line with global standards.
"Every few years, we see new advancements—like switching from induction motors to servo motors, or from traditional controllers to touchscreens," he explained. Bill also stressed the importance of integrating ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) factors into operations, revealing how his company developed a tool to track and ensure compliance across 36 critical areas.
Empowering innovation
As one of India's leading engine makers, Rengaraj Sankarappan offered a grounded perspective on how innovation is unfolding on the manufacturing floor and beyond. "Innovation today is not just about designing a new engine," he said. "It's about ensuring even a technician with limited training can fix it efficiently."
By using vision recognition systems on the assembly line and AI-powered mobile apps for on-ground repairs, the company is enabling workers— regardless of experience level—to identify faults, receive step-by-step guidance, and reduce turnaround time. "Whether it's anomaly detection in assembly or AI-guided fault code diagnosis, these tools are helping our teams work smarter, not harder," he explained.
He also highlighted a shift in mindset, where sustainability and skilling go hand in hand with innovation. "We are not just building machines; we're creating ecosystems where people feel empowered, skilled, and proud of the work they do."
Innovation rooted in everyday experience
Innovation isn't always about cutting-edge breakthroughs—it often stems from simple observations and honest feedback. As Sanjay Sangam shared, true innovation can emerge from any part of the business, be it sales, delivery, or service.
"Sometimes it's the customer who shows you the way forward," he said, reflecting on how listening closely to people's needs led to rethinking an entire product line. A product built for global markets didn't quite fit local conditions, and it took open conversations and small, thoughtful changes to make it work.
"We were told we had a Mercedes, but what was needed was a Maruti 800," he noted with a smile. It was this grounded, practical approach that sparked real impact—proving that innovation, more often than not, is a response to real-world problems.
Sustainability extends across the chain
Sustainability today is more than a corporate goal—it's a mindset that must begin with leadership and flow through every layer of an organisation.
As Pushkar Gokhale shared, "Unless the top leadership is committed to driving sustainability, it's hard to embed it deep within the organisation."
Beyond internal efforts, the company is aligning its entire supply chain with global sustainability standards, especially in light of frameworks like CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism), which will soon require stringent tracking of emissions and energy efficiency for global exports.
"It's not just about us—it's about the ecosystem we operate in," he noted, adding that collaboration, awareness, and collective responsibility are the only ways forward for truly sustainable innovation.
While sustainability is often reduced to environmental conversations, it's crucial to remember that the social pillar—particularly workforce development—is equally vital.
As Neelam Pandey Pathak pointed out, "We often speak of sustainability in terms of carbon footprints, but let's not forget the people—the workforce that powers industries." Highlighting the massive demand-supply mismatch in blue-collar jobs, Pathak explained that nearly ten million roles are available across sectors, but only 2.5 million are being filled.
"It's not unemployment, it's unpreparedness," she said, adding that 35% of the workforce needs urgent reskilling. "Re-skill, up-skill, and stay relevant—because the work is there, but the readiness needs to catch up," was the grounded and urgent call to action.
Reimagining sustainability
Sustainability isn't only about reducing emissions—it's about rethinking the way we work, the skills we need, and the spaces we operate in.
"We used to have 30 people on the shop floor; today, we have three and produce three times more," said Vikas Kapur, Chief Business Officer, Zavenir Daubert India Pvt Ltd, highlighting that the shift isn't about job loss but about the evolution of roles and the growing need for new skill sets.
Innovation, he noted, must extend beyond products to processes, delivery models, and workplace environments. "We've transformed workspaces to be clean, solar-powered, and tech-enabled—places where the next generation wants to work. When you create a culture that values both progress and purpose, sustainability becomes a natural outcome." he said.
India's manufacturing future depends on a blend of innovation, skill development, and sustainability at every level. By embracing new technologies, empowering the workforce with the right skills, and prioritising sustainable practices, India can carve out a path to global leadership in manufacturing— while creating lasting economic and environmental impact.