The Festival Of Manufacturing (FOM) by ET Edge is an initiative that will unite and highlight, recognise, celebrate, and monumentalise the manufacturing sector across India.
India, for the past 10 years, has been setting historical benchmarks throughout the world – the latest being taking over the presidency for the G20 summit. Thanks to India’s recognition by the World Bank as one of the top improvers in Ease of Doing Business (EoDB), this assures the world about India’s relentless efforts for redefining the ways businesses operate in the new times.
What is more to it? An unprecedented opportunity for convergence with the 19 highly significant countries in terms of trade—Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, UK, United States—as well as the European Union (EU)—is provided by India’s G20 Presidency, which is being held at this momentous crossroads in the entire world history.
Since the G20 collectively accounts for 85% of the world’s GDP, 75% of international commerce, and two-thirds of the world’s population, it is the foremost venue for global economic co-operation. Aligning G20 co-operation in the economic sphere will be the game changer. While the G20 summit is taking its stride towards building a better India and cohesively the world development, there is no better time than now for the manufacturing sector (which contributes nearly 16-17 per cent of the country’s GDP) and its technological prowess to be highlighted.
In tandem with the global agenda and sync with the theme of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. or “One Earth, One Family, One Future,” ET Edge is launching the Festival Of Manufacturing (FOM) – an initiative that unites and highlights one of the most important fragments of this family – the manufacturing sector. The festival will recognise, celebrate, and monumentalise the manufacturing sector across India. The Festival Of Manufacturing’s presenting partner is Exxon Mobil, and the gold partner is Ace Micromatic group.
“I would like to congratulate the ET Edge, part of the Times of India group for taking up Festival of Manufacturing in 2023, a nationwide initiative in India. I am sure, this initiative will bring together the best and brightest minds from the manufacturing fraternity. As India is bestowed with the G20 Presidency, it is a tremendous chance to engage with the business leaders. It is a chance to play a significant time in the global supply chain,” said Dr Mahendra Nath Pandey, Union Minister, Minister of Heavy Industries, Government of India.
“At Mobil, we are proud to be the presenting partner for the Festival Of Manufacturing being hosted by ET Edge. The event will celebrate the success of Indian manufacturing and promises to bring together the champions in the sector who are driving profitability for the Indian industries. This event will be a hallmark on our way to achieve Atmanirbhar for the country and drive the goal of ‘Manufacturing in India for the Rest of the World’,” said Vasanth T, General Manager – Marketing Deployment (Commercial), Exxon Mobil.
That said, for T K Ramesh, Managing Director, Micromatic Machine Tools, Festival of Manufacturing is a synergic turbo, bringing together India’s manufacturing in a joyous celebration of infinite possibilities. “Indian manufacturing is moving in a solution-oriented direction. While we are learning and understanding sustainability, a collective consortium will catalyse performance and results. We are happy and energised to be a part and contribute to all you need in machining,” he mentioned.
The celebration is set to take the floor in Delhi, India, on 24th March 2023. The event will congregate conglomerates, MSMEs, start-ups, associations, R&D centres, education institutions, and government officials under one roof.
Why a festival?
Festivals and celebrations are a key part of what makes India the country it is – a nation prime example of unity in diversity. Conforming to India’s ideas of celebration, FOM posits as a national platform that will bridge the gap between common people and India’s manufacturing sector, pulling the industry out of the shadows.
“In India, we are flooded with festivals in all seasons but ‘The Festival Of Manufacturing’ is one of its kind and totally unique in all respects. India is one of the largest manufacturing hubs in the world, but very seldom is a common man or even a professional aware of the inside stories of manufacturing,” said Dr PKC Bose, Vice Chairman and Managing, Director, Enercon Windenergy Pvt Ltd.
Our brand ambassador, Satyakam Arya, Managing Director & CEO, Daimler India feels that the Festival of Manufacturing is a recognition of hard work and dedication demonstrated by millions of professionals working in the field of manufacturing across the length and breadth of our country. He further said, “The high standard of Quality, Engineering, Sustainability and Innovation that India brings to the table is making us an attractive destination for manufacturing for the entire world. This means we should not only celebrate what we, together have achieved as a country, but also look at how we can leverage our strengths to harness the opportunities in front of us.”
The event will create a five-way collaboration network while encouraging start-ups, entrepreneurs as well as women & the youth to consider the manufacturing industry as an active and a vital option.
The program also endeavours to attract more domestic and foreign investments. The one and half day event is poised to be a grand gathering of the best and brightest minds of India that will celebrate India’s vibrant manufacturing sector while enabling meaningful discussions and deliberations which will step up India’s game on a global level.
500+ Indian plants will celebrate the FOM between January-March 2023 in their respective manufacturing plants with engagements such as inviting families of employees for celebrations, fun competitions for employees, facility tours for colleges and educational institutions based locally, job fairs, and more.
“Government-approved PLI schemes for new-age products and the climate tech industry such as drones, batteries, and renewables, demonstrate their will to drive manufacturing. Catalysed by the pandemic, digitalisation is taking the centre stage as manufacturers explore automation to minimise uncertainties and maximise productivity. From making in India to making for the world, a focus on quality and productivity will be key in propelling manufacturing over the 25% mark of GDP contribution,” said N Venu, MD & CEO – India & South Asia, Hitachi Energy.
Recognising the change-makers
The ‘X’ factor that makes or breaks any organisation is the people it employs. Everyone makes a difference in a plant in their own, unique way. While FOM is all about bringing a change in the manufacturing industry, what helps it get to this goal is recognising the changemakers of the industry.
“As India marches towards becoming the third largest economy in the world, our manufacturing sector will play a significant role in this growth. It is time for manufacturing organisations to come forward and showcase the innovative work we are doing in India. We must attract and nurture talent to be a part of this nation-building exercise. Let us celebrate the ‘Festival Of Manufacturing’ at all manufacturing houses in the country – from MSMEs to large corporations,” said Amol Nagar, Managing Director & Head of Operations, GE Aviation.
FOM, through its initiative ‘Champions of Manufacturing,’ is inviting nominations from manufacturing plants by nominating one person from each organisation who has made an altruistic difference in their organisation – irrespective of age, designation and gender. These champions will be formally recognised in person, on the day of the event. In a country where no achievements go uncelebrated and no community unnoticed, the manufacturing sector has been making salient contributions in silhouettes.
Despite being a thriving sector, manufacturing remains disorganised with no initiative that unites them as an industry. An initiative like the Festival Of Manufacturing is a need of time and will not only celebrate its potential but also bring together fragments of the industry under one roof.
