With India’s economy accelerating at an average growth rate of 7.2% over the past three fiscal years, and industries swiftly embracing disruptive technologies such as AI, IoT, robotics, and fintech, the forging sector stands at the threshold of a significant transformation. The GenNext Entrepreneurs Forum is AIFI’s proactive response to this new industrial paradigm, recognising the enthusiasm, adaptability, and global outlook of the next generation in family-owned forging businesses.

Speaking on this transformative initiative, Yash Munot, President, Association of Indian Forging Industry (AIFI), said, “The GenNext Entrepreneurs Forum is not just a platform, it’s a movement to shape the future of the Indian forging industry. Our vision is to position Indian forging as a global benchmark for innovation, quality, and sustainability. Through this forum, we aim to harness the creativity, energy, and ambition of the next generation of entrepreneurs. We are committed to offering them strategic insights, access to industry’s best practices, leadership training through academia-industry partnerships, and global exposure. This initiative will play a critical role in addressing succession challenges, updating traditional business models, and building a collaborative ecosystem that ensures the industry’s sustained growth and global competitiveness. Our mission remains focused on promoting excellence in technology, operations, and leadership anchored firmly in sustainable and inclusive development.”

The Forum seeks to provide a dedicated platform for young forging entrepreneurs to engage in peer-to-peer knowledge exchange, participate in leadership development programmes, and stay aligned with emerging global trends and technologies. Its activities include strategic sessions, academic collaborations, policy discussions, and exposure visits to innovation hubs. The initiative marked its first milestone with a launch event in Hyderabad, which included a visit to the CII-Godrej Green Business Centre, India’s first LEED Platinum-certified green building, and an engaging leadership workshop titled “Re-inventing Family-Owned Businesses and Shifting Orbits of Growth”, conducted by renowned innovation strategist Dr. Rahul More.

Ankit Mehta, Director, KLM Forge Pvt. Ltd., Pune, said, “In an evolving industrial landscape, collaboration and innovation are more critical than ever. AIFI GenNext Entrepreneurs Forum invites young forgers like me to actively engage with peers, exchange ideas on modern forging practices, and explore the latest technologies shaping our industry.”

Future activities under the Forum will include interactions with young leaders from across industries, leadership programmes in collaboration with top academic institutions, overseas study missions, and capacity-building initiatives on cutting-edge topics such as artificial intelligence, robotics, machine learning, cybersecurity, and ESG frameworks. By creating a culture of continuous learning and forward-thinking, the AIFI GenNext Entrepreneurs Forum is set to become a defining platform for shaping the future of the forging industry in India.

Sivarjun Rachamallu, GM,  Rachamallu Forgings Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad, said, “I am honoured to be part of the GenNext Entrepreneurs Forum, a visionary initiative by the Association of Indian Forging Industry (AIFI). GenNext serves as a platform for the next generation of forging professionals, where fresh perspectives meet seasoned expertise. The forum aims to drive positive transformation in the forging sector by advancing technology, promoting sustainability, and contributing to the development of progressive industry policies at the governmental level.”

This initiative aligns seamlessly with AIFI’s broader vision to position the Indian forging industry as a global leader in manufacturing excellence, innovation, and sustainability. Through strategic advocacy, skill development, and a strong focus on collaborative growth, AIFI remains committed to empowering the sector and driving its transformation on the world stage.

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Vikas Bajaj Managing Director and CEO Bajaj Motors and President of AIFI, congratulated Jotshi on his new role, stating, “We are delighted to welcome Ashwani Jotshi as the Secretary General of AIFI. His extensive experience and visionary leadership will be invaluable as we navigate the challenges and opportunities in the forging industry. We look forward to his strategic insights and initiatives that will further strengthen our industry.”

Ashwani Jotshi, in a brief statement on his vision and goals for AIFI, said, “ I am thrilled to take on the role of Secretary General at the Association of Indian Forging Industry (AIFI). The forging industry plays a crucial role as a key link between critical manufacturing segments and end-user industries. With its presence in vital sectors like Automotive, Off-Highway, Railroad Equipment, Agriculture Machinery, Defense, and Aerospace, the Indian Forging industry is globally recognized for its technical expertise. However, it faces challenges such as a shortage of skilled manpower, rising energy prices, low-cost imports, increasing raw material costs, and inadequate support for micro and small units. I am eager to work alongside the AIFI team to address these challenges and propel the Indian Forging industry towards greater success and global competitiveness.”

During his tenure at ACMA, Jotshi led several notable projects and achieved significant milestones. He facilitated OEM customer visits, organized tech shows, and conducted B2B meetings, buyers-sellers meets, and exhibitions. He engaged with state governments on industry issues, conducted sessions on laws and regulations like GST, and initiated numerous training programs, workshops, and competitions.  Jotshi was also responsible for expanding the ACMA Western Region across Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh, establishing new offices in Pune, Ahmedabad, and Indore. During his tenure at ACMA, Jotshi traveled overseas on various assignments which helped to strengthen global connections. He also initiated the launch of HR, CFO, and Digital Forums, and promoted industry development through engaging activities.

As the new Secretary General of AIFI, Jotshi plans to focus on several immediate initiatives aimed at enhancing the association’s impact and reach. He intends to broaden AIFI’s membership base to include a wider range of stakeholders, increase the number of educational and knowledge-sharing sessions, and form strategic partnerships to benefit the association and its members. Additionally, Jotshi will also initiate forums for young business leaders and digital innovators and conduct comprehensive industry surveys to gather insights and drive development. His appointment marks a significant step forward for AIFI as it continues to advocate for the forging industry and address its critical challenges.

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ForgeTech India 2023 is set to be a significant gathering of forging industry representatives, offering insights into diverse facets of the forging trade and industry. Inductoterm is the Title Sponsor for the event while prominent companies such as JSW Steel Ltd, Arjas Steel Pvt. Ltd, Electrotherm India Ltd., Swiss Steel India Private Ltd, JNH Press Co. Ltd., Tech Art Co. Ltd., are among other esteemed sponsors. Mr. Baba Kalyani, Managing Director of Bharat Forge will be presenting the keynote address at the event. Distinguished participants including renowned industry leaders such as Mr. Vidyashankar Krishnan, Mr. S Muralishankar­, Mr. Deven Doshi, Mr. Ranbir Singh, Mr. Abhay Raj Kapoor, Mr. Anil Javalekar, and many more will be actively engaged in ForgeTech 2023.

It is expected that over 600 delegates from all over the world will be participating in this year’s edition. The event will feature technical paper presentations by renowned global experts, showcasing industry developments and the exhibition of supplier capabilities, equipment machinery, and tooling innovations. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore emerging technologies, engage with peers, and interact with experts from the forging and related industries worldwide. During this Conference and Exhibition, AIFI will be presenting the Forge Master awards.

Mr. Yash Munot, Convenor for ForgeTech India 2023 and Vice President of AIFI, expressed excitement, saying, “We are thrilled to announce the upcoming 3rd edition of ForgeTech India in Pune. This conference and exhibition represent a pivotal moment in strengthening the bonds between India’s forging industry and its vital stakeholders. With a focus on industry growth and future trends, this edition of ForgeTech will serve as a collaborative platform for all industry players.”

He added, “We have observed an overwhelming response from participants and exhibitors, reflecting the industry’s enthusiasm for ForgeTech 2023, especially in the post-pandemic landscape. We anticipate significantly higher attendance compared to previous editions.”

Mr. Vikas Bajaj, President of AIFI, highlighted the event’s transformative potential, saying, “ForgeTech India 2023 holds boundless potential for the entire Indian forging industry. It vows to nurture innovation, drive technological advancements, and elevate industry standards. Our focus remains on collaboration, knowledge sharing, and the adoption of sustainable practices. We eagerly await the transformation of the Indian forging landscape post-ForgeTech India 2023, envisioning deeper industry collaborations, technology-driven efficiency, and an unwavering commitment to quality assurance. This event serves as our gateway to forge new partnerships and propel the forging industry to new heights in the country.”

JSW Steel Ltd. spokesperson said, “As a prominent steel company in India, we are eagerly looking forward to ForgeTech India 2023. We anticipate this event to be truly transformative, offering valuable insights into the world of forging technologies and industry trends. For the Indian forging industry, ForgeTech India 2023 holds immense promise, fostering a platform for knowledge exchange and facilitating growth opportunities. We are particularly excited about the potential collaborations with technology providers and industry experts to integrate cutting-edge technologies. ForgeTech India 2023 is set to serve as a catalyst for innovation and progress within the forging sector, and we are fully committed to being an active participant in this journey towards advancement and excellence.”

Sridhar Krishnamoorthy, M.D. of Arjas Steel, said, “The Indian Forging Industry holds a pivotal role in driving and bolstering the landscape of Indian manufacturing. With a workforce exceeding 3 lakh skilled and semi-skilled individuals, and boasting over 400 forging units, spanning from small to large capacity enterprises, this industry adds significant economic value to the Indian economy. Moreover, the forging sector serves as a vital component in localizing component manufacturing and constructing robust supply chains for global markets in key sectors such as Automotive, Machinery, Energy, Transportation, and various Engineering domains. Notably, the automotive sector is undergoing transformative changes, emphasizing reduced carbon footprint, circularity of materials, and green energy adoption. In sync with these trends, the forging sector is actively reinventing itself, embracing automation and reducing reliance on fossil fuels”.

The Association of Indian Forging Industry (AIFI) at present consists of over 200 members, accounting for more than 80% of the total production of the Indian forging industry. The role of AIFI is to promote and develop the Indian Forging Industry to meet the demands and expectations of forging customers and end users, both domestic and global by improving the business environment for its members and contributing to increasing their competitiveness through mutual cooperation and understanding of all parties concerned and constant updating of information and technology. Additionally, AIFI arranges regional meetings across the country to understand issues and trends in the forging industry.

There are a limited number of seats and spaces available for attendance and exhibition. For more information and registration, please visit the website.

ForgeTech 2023: https://forgetechindia.in/  

Registration – https://forgetechindia.in/reg/

Exhibition – https://forgetechindia.in/exhibition/

Call For Abstracts – https://forgetechindia.in/paperguide/

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