With this addition, Ujaas now operates two Ujaas Green Manufacturing Units in Maharashtra, collectively employing 45 SHG women and creating livelihood opportunities for nearly 1,500 additional women across the Vidarbha and Marathwada regions. The earlier unit in Jalna has demonstrated strong outcomes, producing 111,125 reusable cloth pads over two years and establishing community-run manufacturing as a sustainable driver of local economic participation.

The Jalna unit has successfully distributed cloth pads locally and across neighbouring districts, including Sambhajinagar, Nanded, Parbhani, Beed, and Buldhana, while also expanding its reach across Maharashtra and pan-India through the Ujaas Menstrual Health Express Campaign. The campaign facilitated free pad distribution across 25 states and 121 cities, significantly strengthening awareness, accessibility, and outreach.

Poonam Patkar, Head – Ujaas, said, “The Ujaas Green Manufacturing Unit is designed as a fully women-managed production ecosystem — from cutting and stitching to quality control, packaging, marketing, and sales coordination. Based on the performance of our Jalna unit, each participating woman can earn a stable annual income of around ₹75,000, depending on skill and product demand, ensuring predictable financial support for her family while each SHG collectively benefits from sustained enterprise income. Beyond production, women are trained in financial literacy, hygiene standards, and business processes so they can independently manage and grow the unit. This is not just employment — it is structured livelihood ownership that builds confidence, skills, and long-term economic security.”

The new facility is projected to manufacture more than 55,000 reusable cloth pads annually, further strengthening Ujaas’ growing network of women-led production hubs. The initiative demonstrates how regions with active SHG ecosystems can build locally managed enterprises that generate income while addressing essential health needs.

In addition to enterprise creation, participating women lead awareness sessions in their communities to promote informed menstrual health practices and reduce stigma. Ujaas Green Cloth Pads are reusable and chemical-free, offering an affordable alternative to disposable products while reducing menstrual waste and supporting environmentally responsible consumption.

This expansion marks another step in Ujaas’ mission to scale women-driven grassroots enterprises across Maharashtra, creating sustainable pathways for livelihood generation, entrepreneurship, and community-led development.

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The India Grand Opening took place on January 20, 2026, marked by a traditional Indian inauguration ceremony. On January 21, 2026, customers and partners were invited to a customer event to gain insights into the new facility and its technical capabilities.

India as a Key Growth Market

India is one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing markets for injection molding applications. With the new site, Molding Solutions has moved closer to customers in the region while creating a strong foundation for sustainable growth. The investment is aimed at shortening lead times, expanding production capacity, and further enhancing service levels.

The global market for hot runner systems and related injection molding technologies is estimated to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars, with Molding Solutions currently holding a market share of below 10 percent globally. In India, the company estimates the addressable market at approximately USD 200 million, with its current market share in the 15–20 percent range, reflecting strong growth momentum in the region.

While Molding Solutions is already strongly positioned in the automotive sector – particularly through the Synventive brand – the company sees its fastest growth in medical, healthcare, FMCG and electronic applications, driven by rising demand for high-precision molded components and advanced manufacturing standards.

Local-for-Local as Part of the Global Production Strategy

Until now, a large share of the Indian market has been served from Molding Solutions’ production facilities in China. The new site significantly reduces this dependency and enables a consistent local-for-local approach. The India facility will play a central role in supplying not only the domestic market but also the wider Asian region, including Southeast Asia, Japan, and South Korea, while China will continue to serve its domestic market independently.

Molding Solutions’ leadership highlighted that India is now set to become the company’s primary manufacturing and service hub for Asia (excluding China), strengthening supply chain resilience and reducing reliance on cross-border imports.

From India, Molding Solutions now supplies both the domestic market and other Asian countries, while global production capacity has been expanded without replacing existing locations.

“India is one of our most important growth markets worldwide. With this new facility, we are creating the conditions for shorter lead times, greater flexibility, and even closer technical collaboration with our customers in the region while maintaining our global standards,” says Marcello Vendemiati, President of Molding Solutions.

Comprehensive Hot Runner Capabilities on Site

The new facility provides the full range of capabilities for the development, manufacturing, and support of hot runner systems. At the start of operations, systems from the Synventive and Thermoplay brands are being manufactured and supported on-site.

Currently, the Pune facility is capable of manufacturing approximately 50 percent of the company’s product portfolio, with plans to expand to full product range coverage as market demand grows and local operations scale further.

Key technical capabilities include:

• Design Engineering
• Mold flow analysis
• Application checks
• Assembly of hot runner systems
• After-sales service, including a repair centre
• Quality management and key account management

This setup covers all major stages of the hot runner value chain and ensures globally consistent quality and process standards.

Globally Connected, Locally Focused

At launch, the site employs a team covering engineering, operations, sales, after-sales service, and administration. Teams are in ongoing exchange with Molding Solutions’ global network in Europe, China, and the United States, working in continuous exchange.

Over the next few years, the company expects its shop-floor workforce to grow to around 120 employees, with total headcount including engineering, sales, and administrative teams reaching up to 250 professionals, subject to market growth. By the end of 2026, staffing levels are projected to reach approximately 220 employees.

Molding Solutions has already received strong interest from customers, with over 120 companies expected to visit the new facility as part of its customer engagement programme following the inauguration.

At the same time, the local Indian team brings deep knowledge of regional market requirements, enabling highly responsive and customer-focused technical support.

Molding Solutions invested in a 16,000-square-meter production and office facility with a modern machinery fleet.

Investment, R&D, and Long-Term Expansion Outlook

Molding Solutions has invested approximately USD 30 million to date in the Pune facility, primarily in high-precision machinery, production systems, and fixed manufacturing infrastructure. The company expects total investment in the site to reach USD 50 million as the facility continues to scale.

At a global level, the group invests close to 5 percent of annual revenue into research and development, amounting to approximately USD 20 million per year, focused on new technologies, product innovation, and advanced manufacturing solutions.

Looking ahead, the company plans to further expand manufacturing scope, local engineering capabilities, and R&D activities in India. Leadership noted that India is expected to evolve into a major global design and manufacturing hub for tooling and injection molding technologies, shifting from an import-driven model to one increasingly focused on domestic production and exports.

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Ever notice your town seems a little busier when a new factory opens up? People buzzing about, small shops staying open longer, maybe even a new sandwich spot popping up near the plant gates. It’s not just your imagination—when manufacturing jobs grow in a community, pretty much everyone gets a boost, whether you’re clocking in on the factory floor or just enjoying fresh-baked bagels at your local bakery.

Boosting Payroll—and Perks—Within Arm’s Reach

Let’s start with the big one: jobs. Manufacturing is a job-creator, plain and simple. And we’re not just talking about any jobs, but usually positions that come with decent pay, health benefits, and a steady schedule. I have a cousin who snagged a shift at a local plant, and suddenly, he was buying lunch for everyone at Sunday dinner. You see these ripples everywhere—the paycheck from the plant becomes groceries from local markets, repairs at the auto shop down the road, maybe even a treat for the family once in a while.

When people spend where they live, that cash loops back around. It helps other businesses stay open, and in many cases, it creates more jobs outside the factory itself. Your neighbor gets a raise, your kid’s school fundraiser sneaks over the goal line by a bit, and your grocery store is just a little less worried about closing next year.

Training, Skills, and That Feeling of Progress

Good manufacturing jobs don’t just hand out paychecks—they train people. Whether it’s running big machines, handling computers on the line, or learning the ropes from someone who’s done it for years, these gigs build real skills. Sometimes, factories partner with community colleges, launch apprenticeship programs, or even bring in manufacturing consulting experts to boost efficiency (and open up fresh roles). 

Community Perks—Way Beyond the Factory Walls

Here’s something folks don’t always think about: manufacturers have a habit of giving back. It’s not just because they want to look good (though that never hurts)—sometimes, it’s just easier to support sports leagues, scholarships, or food drives when you’re anchored in the neighborhood. I’ve seen local plants sponsor fireworks on the Fourth of July, update playgrounds, and even pitch in for new community centers when budgets are tight.

More Than a Paycheck: Stability, Confidence, and a Sense of Home

Maybe the biggest, quietest benefit is just stability. When you know there are good jobs in town, it eases pressure at home. Fewer families have to move away to chase work. Local businesses can plan for the future, and—let’s be real—you hear fewer stories about boarded-up shops or teachers leaving for other districts.

So, while factory noise or extra trucks might be a trade-off, the pluses for the community are huge. From fuller wallets to busier main streets, manufacturing jobs really are the backbone of neighborhoods that people feel proud to call home. If your area is seeing growth like this, it might be worth a quick high five… or at least a second helping at that new diner everyone’s talking about.

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Located in the industrial area of Kottaiyur Village, Thiruvallur District in Tamil Nadu, the expanded facility is being developed with an investment of approximately ₹200 crore. The expansion will house High Pressure Die Casting (HPDC) machines ranging from 1,400 to 4,400 tonnes, enabling the production of a wide spectrum of components—from conventional internal combustion engine parts to EV components and large structural castings.

Supporting this growth, a new shed spanning nearly 13,000 sq. metres is being planned for construction. Upon completion, it will house advanced die-casting machines along with expanded machining capacity, enabling the plant to operate as a fully vertically integrated manufacturing facility.

In line with JHI’s strategy to deepen vertical integration and maintain end-to-end process control, the facility will also include critical in-house processes such as machining, powder coating, heat treatment, honing, and impregnation. These additions are aimed at ensuring enhanced quality assurance, operational efficiency, and greater control over complex manufacturing requirements.

The primary driver for this expansion is a strong pipeline of new orders that has fully utilised existing capacity. The Chennai plant will thereby support JHI’s growing and diversified customer portfolio, including export customers such as Cummins (USA), Generac (USA), domestic OEMs like TVS Motor Company in the super-premium two-wheeler segment, and emerging EV module manufacturers. Once fully developed, the Chennai facility will have a planned installed capacity of approximately 20,000 tonnes per year.

Expressing his views on the expansion, Prasan Firodia, Managing Director, Jaya Hind Industries, said, “This expansion marks a significant milestone in Jaya Hind Industries’ growth journey. With strong order momentum across domestic and export markets, the Chennai facility will play a pivotal role in augmenting our die-casting capacity while deepening our vertical integration. By investing in advanced HPDC & machining capabilities and critical in-house processes, we are strengthening our ability to deliver high-quality, complex aluminium solutions with greater control, consistency, and speed. This project also reinforces our commitment to building globally competitive manufacturing capabilities in India in line with the Make in India vision.”

Jaya Hind Industries Private Limited, part of the Dr. Abhay Firodia Group of Companies with an enterprise value exceeding USD 4.4 billion, was established in 1947. A pioneer in India’s aluminium die-casting industry, the company began manufacturing aluminium die-cast components in 1964 and is today among India’s largest and most trusted end-to-end solution providers for aluminium castings, serving leading global and domestic OEMs.

Jaya Hind Industries is a fully vertically integrated company with world-class tool manufacturing capabilities and downstream machining facilities. It houses the largest in-house tool design and manufacturing setups in the Indian die-casting industry, with the ability to manufacture high-pressure die-casting dies and critical gravity die-casting tools.

It has a comprehensive range of over 45 HPDC machines from 160T to 4400T, of which over 25 are 1000T and above, complete with fully automatic die-casting cells, robotic extraction, and real-time controls. Jaya Hind Industries has developed a wide portfolio of critical parts ranging from 5 gm to 51 kg, serving a variety of industries in automotive as well as non-automotive fields. Jaya Hind Industries can offer end-to-end solutions to auto manufacturers for their various weight reduction/localization requirements. JHI has manufacturing facilities at Akurdi and Urse in Maharashtra, Chennai in Tamil Nadu, and Pithampur in Madhya Pradesh.

Jaya Hind Industries’ customer base consists of world-renowned OEMs like BMW, Skoda Volkswagen, Cummins, Ford, Stellantis, Daimler, Volvo, Renault Nissan, Maruti Suzuki, ISUZU, Mahindra, Tata Motors, Bosch, to name a few.

Jaya Hind Industries is the only company to have won the “Best Foundry in India—Large Sector” Award instituted by the Association of Aluminium Die-casters and Equipment Manufacturers of India seven times, viz., 2008, 2010, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2022, and 2024.

Strengthening its global presence, Jaya Hind Industries has acquired LMG Manufacturing GmbH in Germany through Jaya Hind International B.V., significantly enhancing the Group’s footprint in Europe. The acquisition includes two dedicated manufacturing facilities in East Germany and a tooling and engineering business in Nuremberg, expanding the company’s capabilities in high-precision electromobility solutions for the European market. The German operations serve leading global customers such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Nidec, and Webasto, and produce critical electromobility components for BMW electric vehicles, including key platforms such as Neue Klasse.

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PUNE: GE Aerospace has announced a USD 14 million investment to expand capacity at the company’s Pune manufacturing facility as the site completes a decade of successful operations. This investment builds upon the USD 30 million announced last year. The new investment will strengthen the site’s capabilities through upgraded manufacturing processes and automation, including enhancements that support advanced engine components.

“Our team in Pune has built strong capabilities, and with the support of a country-wide network of suppliers, has delivered components for some of our most advanced commercial jet engines, with safety and quality at the forefront,” said Vishwajit Singh, Managing Director of the Pune facility, GE Aerospace. “This investment reflects our commitment to the Make in India initiative and to advancing India’s role in global aerospace manufacturing.”

The Pune facility, which began as a multi-business manufacturing site, has since evolved into a high-tech aerospace parts supplier for GE Aerospace’s global commercial engine factories. Today, the site is supported by a network of more than 300 suppliers serving the Pune facility, part of the over 2,200 suppliers GE Aerospace partners with across India. Over the past 10 years, the facility has trained more than 5,000 production associates in precision manufacturing processes, playing a vital role in developing local talent. The site is also ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 certified, reflecting GE Aerospace’s commitment to sustainability and operational excellence.

The facility’s success is driven by FLIGHT DECK, GE Aerospace’s proprietary lean operating model that emphasizes safety, quality, and efficiency. With FLIGHT DECK, the site has reduced waste, improved process efficiency, and increased output while enhancing shop-floor safety. On a new line for a critical component, it has also achieved shorter lead times, higher productivity, and reduced downtime.

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MUMBAI: Federal Card Services (FCS), a global leader in premium metal and sustainable payment cards, today announced its entry in India with an investment of USD 250 million across its three core business pillars – technology, real estate, and services. As part of this expansion, FCS is developing its first manufacturing facility in Pune, Maharashtra. The new plant will produce 100% metal cards and biodegradable cards, marking a major milestone in India’s growing fintech manufacturing ecosystem. FCS aims to strengthen India’s fintech supply chain and create over 1,000 direct jobs, integrating sustainable manufacturing practices that align with India’s ‘Make in India’ and green growth vision.

The selection of Pune as a strategic location is based on several factors: its proximity to Mumbai, the availability of talent for advanced manufacturing and fintech solutions, and the region’s logistical capacity to connect with key markets in Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. With Phase 1 of the 32,000 sq. ft. facility completed, FCS is now focused on equipment calibration and workforce training ahead of operations commencing in February 2026. The facility will commence with an initial capacity of 2 million cards per year, scaling up to 26.7 million cards annually. Through this investment, FCS aims to support India’s ambition to become a global hub for advanced and sustainable manufacturing. The company currently works with Axis Bank, VISA, Mastercard, and FPL Technologies (OneCard).

Matías Gainza Eurnekian, CEO, Federal Card Services (FCS), said,

The cards produced by FCS and designed in collaboration with global innovation partners represent a revolutionary alternative to PVC plastic. Next-generation sustainable card solutions include biodegradable materials developed from renewable sources such as certified wood, coffee fiber, and other plant-based composites. These cards are biodegradable and designed to offer premium durability.

Matías added:

A Legacy of Global Innovation

With this expansion, FCS India continues a growth journey that began in the United States. FCS USA is currently the second-largest company worldwide in terms of installed capacity and patent portfolio within the premium card industry. The company operates its own R&D department in Ireland and has a consolidated manufacturing facility in Ohio, USA. Its global headquarters are in Miami, with administrative offices in Argentina, reflecting its extensive reach and cultural diversity.

With its investment in India, FCS is reinforcing its global leadership in innovation, sustainability, and high-end design in the payment solutions industry. It operates across five continents and serves over 100 clients.

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MUMBAI: Siemens and Capgemini expand their strategic partnership to co-develop AI-native digital solutions for product engineering, manufacturing, and operations. Such solutions fundamentally embed artificial intelligence at their core from inception, rather than merely adding it as a feature. The partners are focused on 16 high-impact capability areas that can deliver measurable outcomes in production efficiency, time-to-market, quality, sustainability, and other key areas. Industry-specific solutions will be implemented by combining Siemens’ industrial software, automation, electrification, and sustainability portfolio with Capgemini’s engineering capabilities, industry knowledge, and business transformation expertise.

This expanded collaboration will help clients with long-standing challenges. These challenges include integrating IT and operational systems, which can now be unlocked by harnessing frontier technologies like industrial AI, digital twins, and next-generation automation. Together, the two companies will lead with AI-native assets that complement Siemens technologies – for example, by using orchestrated AI agents to support collaboration across engineering and manufacturing silos.

“For our customers, Capgemini is like a compass – deeply familiar with our customers’ challenges and ambitions. Siemens provides the engine: Technologies like industrial AI, digital twins, and automation,” said Cedrik Neike, CEO of Digital Industries and Member of the Managing Board of Siemens AG. “Together, we guide our customers through their digital transformation with speed, precision, and a clear course toward the future.”

Aiman Ezzat, CEO of the Capgemini Group, added: “By combining our strengths, our ambition is to help clients navigate complexity and realize tangible business impact, setting new benchmarks for operational efficiency. As a leader in bridging the gap between the physical and digital worlds, we enable clients to transform their engineering and manufacturing operations at speed. This strengthened partnership underscores a shared commitment to delivering industrial AI and future-ready intelligent manufacturing, creating new value for industries.”

Three client stories illustrate the tangible outcomes possible with this partnership:

For Airbus, the two partners are working toward the decarbonization of four industrial locations in the U.S. and U.K. Siemens technologies will support Airbus in meeting their targets to reduce energy consumption by 20 percent and reduce Scope 1 and 2 stationary emissions by 85 percent across their global industrial footprint by 2030. To accelerate the selection of the measures, energy system twins will simulate and help determine the best decarbonization roadmaps for the sites. Capgemini supports the initiative, contributing consulting activities, project management, and planning.

Sanofi, Siemens, and Capgemini are supporting the transformation of the global pharmaceutical and manufacturing company by standardizing their production processes and accelerating the rollout of Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) across many sites worldwide. Powered by Gen AI, the MES acceleration program is redefining production management: replacing paper-based batch records with digital ones, reducing review time by 70 percent, cutting deviations by 80 percent, and setting new benchmarks for efficiency, quality, and compliance across the industry.

For GravitHy, a French iron company, Siemens and Capgemini are digitalizing industrial processes. This collaboration helped GravitHy boost operational efficiency, improve agility, and tackle complex energy transition challenges more effectively, targeting a hydrogen production cost reduction of up to 10 percent.

The global joint initiative will focus on key industries such as aerospace, automotive, and life sciences, as well as emerging markets like hydrogen and water/wastewater. To meet the growing requirements, Capgemini will expand its pool of certified experts across multiple technologies, industries, and countries to strengthen its Siemens technology capabilities. Building on a long-standing partnership spanning almost two decades, Siemens and Capgemini have an already established go-to-market model that currently supports more than 100 clients across 20 countries.

Siemens and Capgemini deepen partnership: (from left) Cedrik Neike, CEO of Digital Industries and Member of the Managing Board of Siemens AG, and Aiman Ezzat, CEO of the Capgemini Group (Source: Siemens AG)

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The new facility is set to significantly scale up the company’s operations, increasing its total production capacity by 75% and generating 1000 new jobs in the Chakan-Pune industrial hub.

Strategic Investment and Commitment to ‘Make in India’

The expansive new plant covers 96,000 sq ft of floor space and is central to Otter Controls India’s strategy of strengthening the local supply chain, in firm alignment with the ‘Make in India’ philosophy. The company was previously honoured with the National Productivity & Innovation Award under this initiative.

“This new Manufacturing Facility is a true reflection of our belief in the resilience and potential of the Indian manufacturing sector,” said Ulhas K Joshi, Managing Director, Otter Controls India Private Limited. “By investing in capacity and creating 1000 new jobs here in Pune, we are not just scaling our business; we are investing in the community and helping to build a more robust, self-reliant domestic supply chain.”

Technology and Vision for Future Mobility

The 96,000 sq ft facility is equipped with advanced technology, including a Clean Room Facility ISO 8 / Class 100,000. This technological leap allows the company to enter the highly specialized EMS & SMT vertical (Electronics Manufacturing Services and Surface Mount Technology) for both the Automotive and Non-Automotive sectors. The new facility will also contribute in enhancing its offering of high-precision components such as Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR) molded components and niche wire harnesses.

Dr. David Smith, Chairman, Otter Group & Mr. Alex Nijhoff, Managing Director & CEO, Otter Group, commented on the inauguration, “This investment in Pune is a key strategic decision for the global Otter Group. It underscores our commitment to providing world-class technology and quality, benchmarking our processes against leading international standards. The launch of this facility, especially its capacity to develop next-generation solutions like EMS Manufacturing and Relay Manufacturing for Defence Sectors, solidifies our position as a future-ready engineering partner in the Asia-Pacific region.”

The company’s future focus will include the introduction of EMS Manufacturing, In-house Commercial Stamping, Railway Switchgears, and Relay Manufacturing for the Defence Sectors.

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The conference opened with a keynote by Sachin Goel, Vice President and Head of Central Quality, Ashok Leyland, on “Quality in the Automotive Manufacturing Landscape.” Through the day, curated sessions spotlighted new approaches to sustainable manufacturing, digital product development, and shop-floor automation—underscoring how data, design, and disciplined execution are converging to redefine competitiveness.

Setting the strategic context, Conference Advisor Shailendra Goswami (CMD, Pushkaraj Group) said: “Pune is a true automotive hub, and India itself is rapidly emerging as a global manufacturing hub. Before 2020, our focus was largely on domestic demand and conventional manufacturing practices. The post-COVID supply-chain rebalancing—where many buyers sought ‘China+1’ options—created a strategic opening. With India’s intellectual capital and our status as the world’s largest manpower supplier, if we channel this capability into manufacturing at scale, we can credibly become a global platform.”

He added: “Industry has moved from traditional methods to Industry 4.0 and now 5.0—where cyber-physical systems are complemented by the human element: intuition, innovation, and real-time decision-making. AI-enabled smart manufacturing is no longer a theory; India is absorbing it at speed. While raw material and import dependencies remain, on capability and price competitiveness, we can meet global requirements, and Indian firms are already running sustainable global businesses.”

Goswami also emphasized the policy imperative: “Government intent is clear—raise manufacturing’s share of GDP to 25%. That means building a full ecosystem of Tier-1, Tier-2, Tier-3, and MSME suppliers. Automotive is central to this vision, and Pune’s cluster—from two- and three-wheelers to commercial vehicles, passenger cars, and tractors—makes it the right place to convene technology, academia, and industry. That’s why a conference like MOTOTECH is both timely and necessary.”

Delivering a keynote on competitiveness through logistics and operations, Dr. Rakesh Singh (Chairman, Institute of Supply Chain Management) noted:“ India is becoming a major production base that can serve global demand, even as China continues to supply many critical inputs. The domestic market is expanding fast—including in rural India, where SUVs on district roads are now commonplace. Exports are rising too.”

He continued: “This growth requires resilient, end-to-end supply chains. Supply chain isn’t just moving goods from A to B. It’s an integrated flow—from sourcing and inbound transport to manufacturing, distribution, dealers, and customers—managed for cost, speed, reliability, and profitability. Technology is central: IoT, AI/ML, AR, planning and forecasting tools, and digital twins to surface gaps virtually and fix them physically. Think of the supply chain like a river—it must flow without bottlenecks. If India wants world-class manufacturing competitiveness, our sourcing and selling supply chains must be seamless, data-visible, and among the best globally.”

Bringing the lens of electrification and entrepreneurship, Uday Narang, CMD, Omega Seiki Mobility, said: “Pune and Maharashtra are forward-thinking—both in automotive and technology manufacturing. India has a unique opportunity right now. Learn from global leaders, but follow our own path. Our edge is a young, ambitious population—especially with the rising participation of women. We must convert that talent into builders and founders, not just job-seekers.”

He added, “Country first’ must move from slogan to practice. Build alliances with Japan, Korea, Europe, and the U.S., but build products here—not just import-and-assemble. In mobility, adoption will be driven by total cost of ownership (TCO). If EV TCO undercuts ICE, consumers will switch—period. That pushes all of us to deliver quality, reliability, and service. With founder energy, serious manufacturing, resilient supply chains, and sensible global partnerships, India can lead. Put the country first—and make it happen.”

On the show floor, visitors experienced cutting-edge demonstrations and solutions from Universal Robots, ATI Motors, Triam Toolroom, Yash Dynamics, Schneider Electric, WAGO India, Jendamark, Dalmec, Shree Rapid Technologies, TASI India, Light Mechanics, Marposs, and others—spanning collaborative robotics, autonomous material movement, precision tooling, test and measurement, digital assembly, and advanced quality control.

Day Two will sharpen the focus on EV Leadership, Women in Manufacturing, Shop-Floor Excellence, and Future Skills—translating vision into practical playbooks for productivity, safety, sustainability, and workforce readiness.

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KOLKATA: As part of the brand’s transformation journey, Bata India, the most iconic and trusted footwear brand, has taken a significant leap in its transformation journey with a ₹300 million investment in its Batanagar factory, reinforcing its commitment to manufacturing excellence & global competitiveness.

At the helm of this investment is the installation of the state-of-the-art PUDIP (Polyurethane Direct Injection Process) & IM EVA machines used for manufacturing Floatz & Bata Industrial footwear. These next-generation systems feature robotic spraying, automated roughening arms, and mould handling processes that raise the bar on product consistency, precision, and production efficiency.

“This investment reflects our deep commitment to modernising our manufacturing and leading with quality,” said Anjan Kundu, Head – Supply Chain Management, Bata India Ltd.

Kundu adds, “We are bringing back the glory to Batanagar as part of our transformation journey, which is rooted in a deep commitment to quality, innovation, and customer experience. By investing in advanced machines at Batanagar, we are ensuring that Bata continues to lead, adapt, and serve as a benchmark for footwear manufacturing in India. This expansion not only strengthens our operations but also sets new standards for the industry.”

The factory follows comprehensive Safety Management systems to ensure the highest standards of health & safety protocols for a safe working environment for all employees. The Batanagar factory is a symbol of industrial transformation for not just West Bengal but for India. Thomas Bata’s historic visit in the 1930s catalyzed the creation of the exclusive township of Batanagar, an essential turning point for the state’s industrial landscape. Bata’s factory units revolutionized the region’s capabilities, supporting Bengal’s evolution into an export hub and a center of shoemaking excellence.

Approximately 130 new stores opened in the past year, with over 50% located in smaller towns, bringing global styles and comfort technology to ‘Bharat.’ With more than 500+ stores, Bata India is also rapidly expanding its Franchise network across smaller towns and cities to democratize fashion, providing entrepreneurial opportunities for many. Bata continues to support communities through its Bata Children’s Program, empowering underserved children across India with access to education, mentorship, and footwear—symbolising the brand’s ongoing commitment to inclusive growth and positive social impact. 

With a sharpened focus on quality, sustainability, and innovation, Bata India is redefining what it means to be a heritage brand ready for the future—boldly stepping forward to ‘Shoe the World’ from India. 

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