The International Tooling Summit 2024, the flagship event organized by TAGMA India, drew its curtains on a high note of success, with its dynamic discussions, insightful presentations, and collaborative interactions, leaving an indelible mark on the industry landscape. ITS 2024 focused on how the tooling industry could embark on its journey of transformative growth using the power of knowledge-sharing, networking, and collaboration. A report…

On August 29 and 30, 2024, the Sahara Star Hotel in Mumbai became the epicentre of knowledge when TAGMA India hosted the International Tooling Summit (ITS) 2024. In line with its theme, 'Scaling Up the Indian Tooling Industry,' ITS 2024 united industry leaders and provided them with a platform to discuss growth strategies and ideas to transform the tooling industry.

The event commenced with the lamp-lighting ceremony. Its Chief Guest Mr. Ritesh Agarwal, Senior Vice President and Head of Sourcing (Auto Sector), Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., lit the traditional lamp along with the Guests of Honour Mr. Vagish Dixit, Managing Director & Partner, ALPLA Group, India and Mr. Sunil Koparkar Managing Director, IAC International Automotive India Pvt. Ltd.; and Keynote Speaker Mr. Salil Kumar, Vice President, S&T Group of Companies in the presence of Mr. D. M. Sheregar. President, TAGMA India and Mr. D. Shanmugasundaram, vice president.

Dignitaries address the attendees

After the solemn lamp-lighting ceremony, Mr. Sheregar officially welcomed the attendees. Emphasizing the significance of this year's theme, he said, "This year's theme, 'Scaling up the Indian Tooling Industry', couldn't be more timely. As we stand on the edge of remarkable growth, the chance to lift our industry to new heights has never been better.

The global demand for high-quality tools is rising, and India is well- positioned to become a major player in the global market. By scaling up, we can not only meet this demand but also set new benchmarks in quality, innovation, and efficiency." Reinforcing the need for collaboration to drive growth in the tooling industry, Mr. Sheregar encouraged the attendees to make the most of the knowledge-sharing and networking opportunities at ITS 2024. "Together, let's work towards scaling up and shaping the future of Indian tooling," he urged.

Acknowledging TAGMA's pivotal role in advancing the industry through initiatives like International Tooling Summit (ITS), Die & Mould India International Exhibition (DMI), Tool Talk and setting up tooling academies, Mr. Agarwal highlighted how "OEMS are increasingly turning to Indian toolmakers, positioning India to become a global leader in tooling". He subsequently stressed the importance of close collaboration between OEMs and toolmakers, which he believes could "lead to transformative growth in the industry".

After Mr. Agarwal, the event's Chief Guest, the Guests of Honour came forward to address the attendees. In his speech, Mr. Dixit likened toolmakers to the "astra and shastra" of manufacturing and emphasized the essential role that tools and dies play in manufacturing. While narrating his experience of setting up a tool room with a mere sum of INR 20,000 and two employees, he spoke about the importance of investing in building a culture of skill development to attract the next generation of talent.

Mr. Koparkar focused on the challenges that Indian toolmakers face concerning the desired quality and the required lead times. "These lead to reliance on imports," he said. The Guest of Honour then emphasized the need to improve upon these aspects to make India a global exporter of tools, with focus on collaboration, diversity, and skill enhancement as key drivers for growth.

In his keynote address, Mr. Kumar presented an overview of the current state of the Indian tooling industry. "The Indian tooling industry is valued at over INR 23,600 crores, with the automotive  sector alone valued at INR 7,000 crores, and the plastics tooling industry at around INR 4,500 crores," he said. He also discussed the growth potential in the electronics, aerospace, and

 medical  devices sectors, which offer new Opportunities for Indian toolmakers.

When the esteemed dignitaries had finished addressing those present, Mr. Shanmugasundaram concluded the opening ceremony by underscoring the tremendous opportunities for the tooling industry. "Scaling up is not just about meeting local demand; it's about positioning India as a global leader in manufacturing excellence," he said. He then expressed gratitude to the event's sponsors, speakers, and the TAGMA team, and encouraged attendees to make the most of the summit's discussions and networking opportunities.

The opening ceremony set a strong tone for the summit, with leaders from across the industry sharing their insights and optimism about the future of the Indian tooling industry. With discussions focusing on skill development, quality improvement, and fostering global competitiveness, the event acted as a catalyst for growth and innovation in the tooling sector.

The day kicked off with a panel discussion on 'Collaborative Growth: Building Stronger Ecosystems for Toolmaking', which emphasized the critical role of collaboration between OEMs, suppliers, and toolmakers. The panelists explored the need to foster knowledge-sharing networks, adopt new technologies, and tap into government policies that support the industry's growth. A key highlight was the discussion on addressing capacity constraints to meet the rising demand while maintaining quality. Mr. Akshay Kalyanpur, Director, Sridevi Tool Engineers Pvt. Ltd., skillfully moderated the session. Mr. Pankaj Aggarwal, Group Purchasing Head Coo, Motherson Group, offered notable insights. He urged tool rooms to avoid overcommitting, while stressing the importance of passion and strategic collaboration with OEMs. Mr. Rahul Dev, VP – Supply Chain, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd., introduced the Quality, Cost, Delivery, Development, and Management (QCDDM) mantra as a future-proof strategy, while Mr. Rajeev A. Solanki, General Manager, Legrand India, emphasized that investment in infrastructure and timely delivery are key to staying competitive. Mr. Jayesh

M. Rathod, Sr. General Manager Head Engineering, Godrej Tooling, further highlighted the need for tool rooms to focus on skill development and upgrading infrastructure to meet industry trends. The technical sessions that followed maintained the momentum. Mr. Ashim Sharma, Partner, Nomura Research Institute, opened with a talk on the challenges in scaling up Indian tool rooms. His session underscored the inefficiencies in time and quality that push OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers to seek overseas solutions, pointing to infrastructure limitations, payment delays, and outsourcing gaps. Mr. Aashutosh Sinha, Principal, Nomura Research Institute, continued the conversation with his session on scaling India’s tooling capabilities, stressing the importance of fixed cost management, quality improvement, and after-sales services. The subsequent sessions shifted focus to practical solutions. Mr. Kumar showcased end-to-end solutions for medium and large mould manufacturing, followed by Mr. Hosomi Hiroo, Asia Sales, Makino Milling Machines, who presented the company’s latest innovations in process optimization for shop floors. 

The second panel discussion on ‘Adapting to Automotive Industry Shifts: Preparing Toolmakers for the Future’, was moderated by Mr. Alok Jhamb, Managing Director, voestalpine High Performance Metals Pvt. Ltd. The discussion highlighted the rapid evolution in the automotive industry and its impact on toolmakers. Mr. Yogesh R. Morade,General Manager – Operations (Die Shop), Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., emphasized the growing need for OEMs to launch new products quickly, pressuring toolmakers to meet shorter deadlines. Mr. Guruprasad Puranmath, Vice President – International Sales & Strategic Initiatives, Mutual Engineering Pvt. Ltd., discussed the increasing importance of aesthetics, stressing how tool selection and tool steel play a vital role in achieving the desired exterior and interior finishes. Mr. Praveen V. A., Vice President, Toyotetsu India Auto Parts Pvt. Ltd., mentioned that lightweighting is becoming a key focus, as vehicles evolve to become more fuel-efficient, making it essential for toolmakers to adapt to this trend. Mr. Neel Bhadra Mani, General Manager and Head of Purchasing, Vitesco Technologies, spoke about the growing integration of electronics in cars, which leads to increased heat and requires specialized tooling solutions. The panelists collectively agreed that as vehicle development times shrink, toolmakers must adopt faster, more efficient processes, with trust, talent, and technology serving as the key foundations for future success.                

The day's final technical session was led by Professor Dinesh Singh Thakur, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Director, Planning & Policy (P&P) and NEP Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT),DRDO. He introduced the concept of micro-factories from an Indian tooling perspective and explained how micro- factories, focused on miniaturization and accuracy, could revolutionize the industry by reducing investments, energy consumption, and equipment requirements.Industry expert Mr. Sachin Netrabyle concluded the day with the closing remarks. This was followed by a felicitation ceremony honouring industry stalwarts Mr. Ajit Y. Khirapate, Mr. D. K. Sharma, Mr. D. Ravi, Mr. M. A. Khadar, and Mr. P. Chami for their significant contributions to the tooling industry.

Day 1 of ITS 2024 offered a comprehensive look at the challenges and opportunities in the tooling sector, laying a strong foundation for the rest of the event. The blend of strategic discussions, practical insights, and industry-leading innovations showcased the dynamic future of tooling in India.

 which was aimed at bridging the communication gap between OEMs and toolmakers. Here, professionals from OEM companies, including Purchase Heads and Tooling Heads, talked for a duration of about 20 minutes on what they expect from toolmakers and what toolmakers need to mark on their checklist in order to become eligible vendors for these OEM companies. This initiative presented a unique Appertunity to the hundreds of toolmakers who were present at the event to understand the amendments they need to make in their manufacturing systems. 
      On Day 1, a 'Fireside Chat' with Mr. James Walsh, VP -Tooling, Tata Electronics; and Mr. Kannan P., AVP -Tooling, Tata Electronics revealed the company's ambitious plans to double capacity and set up a world-class tool room. They highlighted accuracy and timeliness as critical factors in differentiating automotive tooling from electronics tooling. In another fireside shat, Mr. Munwar Syed, General Manager - Supply Chain Mechanical Commodity, Ather Energy, praised Indian tool rooms for their agility in meeting tight timelines, while pointing out that direct collaboration during the design phase can save significant time. The day's final fireside chat saw Mr. Pankaj Aggarwal, Purchasing Head and COO, Motherson Group, emphasizing the need for better classification of tool rooms and improved training facilities to drive industry growth.

On Day 2, the activities continued with a 'Fireside Chat' featuring Mr. K. Vijayakumar, Unit Head-Tool Room, Brakes India Pvt. Ltd., who discussed the Legacy of his company and how Indian tool rooms can elevate themselves to global standards by adhering to international guidelines.

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