AIFI Annual Meet Charts Strategic Roadmap for Forging Industry in India’s Shifting Mobility Landscape!

The Association of Indian Forging Industry (AIFI) recently convened its National Annual Convention in Pune, bringing together industry leaders, experts, and policymakers to deliberate on the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of forging in India. Against the backdrop of a rapidly transforming automotive sector—driven by electrification, sustainability, and global competitiveness—the convention served as a platform to align the forging industry’s priorities with national and international shifts in mobility.

Opening the convention, Sunil Javalekar, Chairman of AIFI’s Western Region, reflected on the forging industry’s long-standing role in powering India’s manufacturing ecosystem. He emphasized the importance of collective effort and a unified voice as the industry adapts to global disruptions and evolving technologies.

Two impactful keynote addresses set the tone for the discussions. Dr. KC Vora, Program Director at NAMTECH’s Automotive Centre of Excellence, explored the dual path of electric vehicles (EVs) and internal combustion engines (ICE) in India’s mobility story. While government programs like FAME II and the Green Hydrogen Mission are catalyzing the shift towards clean mobility, Dr. Vora highlighted that ICE technologies remain highly relevant in India, particularly in rural mobility and heavy-duty transport. His address underscored the need for a balanced transition where the forging industry can play a pivotal role in both emerging and traditional powertrain systems.

The second keynote came from Prenayan Kaul, Partner at PwC, who focused on strategies for maintaining competitiveness in uncertain global markets. Kaul urged forging companies to accelerate technology adoption, digital transformation, and operational efficiency while diversifying product portfolios to reduce dependency on traditional markets. He cautioned that supply chain disruptions, environmental regulations, and geopolitical shifts require forging firms to become more agile and globally connected.

In his presidential address, Yash Munot, President of AIFI, struck an optimistic yet urgent tone. He noted that the industry stands at a defining moment—facing pressures of sustainability, global competitiveness, and technological disruption. “The automotive shift, driven by EVs and alternative fuels, opens new doors—but also demands faster innovation and adaptability,” he said. Munot also announced a landmark development: a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hexagon, aimed at promoting smart manufacturing and digital solutions across the forging sector. This partnership is expected to provide members with tools to modernize operations, improve productivity, and stay globally competitive.

The convention also featured a high-powered panel discussion moderated by S. Muralishankar, Chairman of Technology and Training at AIFI, with leaders including C. Rajagopalan (Sundram Fasteners Ltd), Deven Doshi (Echjay Industries Pvt Ltd), and Manish Sonawane (Bharat Forge Ltd). The panel explored themes ranging from supply chain resilience and policy frameworks to innovation, exports, and the adoption of emerging technologies. The consensus was clear: collaboration, adaptability, and investments in R&D will be crucial for India’s forging sector to secure its position in the global value chain.

The event concluded with a strong collective resolve to align the forging industry with national priorities such as Atmanirbhar Bharat, green mobility, and industrial sustainability. AIFI reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the sector, which supplies critical components like crankshafts, gears, fasteners, axle parts, and railway wheels. With over 200 member companies, AIFI continues to be the backbone of India’s forging ecosystem, enabling the automotive, railway, energy, and defense industries to thrive.