India has recently emerged as a big player in the global manufacturing sector, partly due to positive trends and growth in important industries. As India aspires to become a global superpower, self-reliance in manufacturing is crucial. By nurturing a thriving and independent domestic manufacturing industry, India can establish a strong foundation to achieve its goals in an increasingly complex world.
According to India Brand Equity Foundation, The Indian manufacturing industry generated 16-17 per cent of India’s GDP pre-pandemic and is projected to be one of its fastest-growing sectors. The manufacturing industry has advanced significantly due to the government’s push for programmes like Make in India, Digital India, and Startup India. For instance, companies like Patanjali, Borosil Renewables, Century Plyboards, and Greenpanel are some of the few companies that have benefitted from the Make in India initiative. These initiatives have given the Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) industry the required boost, luring investors and opening fresh development prospects.
By putting into practice important programmes like the National Manufacturing Policy, the Indian government has also made a substantial effort to adopt Industry 4.0. According to Mordor Intelligence, by 2025, this programme wants to increase the manufacturing sector’s share of the GDP to 25 per cent.
Additionally, the government’s 2022 introduction of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme intends to raise the core manufacturing sector to international levels. Through these initiatives, the Indian manufacturing sector is increasingly moving towards automation and process-driven business practises, which boosts productivity and improves efficiency.
In this transformational process, automation is crucial. Indian companies can enhance their production, efficiency, and competitiveness by implementing automation technology. Automation streamlines manufacturing processes by reducing dependence on manual labour and integrating advanced technologies such as Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, and the Internet of Things (IoT). This integration empowers Indian companies to produce higher-quality products locally at a faster pace while simultaneously reducing costs.
Lowering the cost of labour is one of automation’s key benefits. Robotics and AI-powered equipment may be used by companies to automate repetitive tasks, minimizing the need for human labour and eliminate the possibility of errors and mishaps. This further enables companies to allocate their resources more efficiently, investing in skilled workers for tasks that add higher value, while simultaneously reducing overall labour costs.
Additionally, automation gives companies the adaptability to react quickly to evolving tastes of customers. Traditional production techniques frequently struggle with rigidity, which makes it difficult for companies to adjust to changes in demand. Automated systems, on the other hand, are simple to re-programme and re-configure, allowing companies to scale their production up or down as necessary. Due to their ability to quickly respond to customer demands and capture new market opportunities, Indian firms can have a considerable competitive edge.
Automation also improves the uniformity and quality of the final output. As mentioned, human error and variance are common in manual production processes, which can result in flaws and dissatisfied customers. Companies can achieve more precision and accuracy by substituting automated technologies for manual labour, which results in superior product quality. Consistent quality increases satisfaction among consumers while decreasing waste and rework, which ultimately lowers costs over the long run.
The switch to automation is not possible without some challenges, though. To prepare workers for an ever-evolving dynamic environment, companies need to invest in training initiatives. Programmes for training and upskilling personnel are vital to give workers the knowledge and abilities they need to run and maintain automated systems. To close the skills gap and enable a seamless transition to automation, collaboration between the government and educational institutions is essential when designing specialised training programmes and courses.
In the manufacturing industry, automation also encourages collaborative thinking and innovation. Collaboration between companies, technology suppliers, research institutes, and universities is necessary for the implementation of automation solutions. This collaborative setting encourages the creation of cutting-edge technologies while fostering an innovation and knowledge-sharing culture. As a result, the Indian manufacturing sector develops into a centre for cutting-edge technology, drawing new investments and fostering further expansion.
In a nutshell, automation is transforming the Indian manufacturing industry. It enables companies with the ability to go beyond conventional limitations, boost production, save costs, and improve product quality. By embracing automation, Indian companies may establish themselves as industry leaders on a worldwide scale, bringing in more capital and boosting the economy of the nation. The manufacturing industry in India is well-positioned to prosper in the age of automation, thanks to the government’s efforts and the expanding usage of automation technology. This represents a significant opportunity for Indian companies to excel globally and contribute to the nation’s progress.
Author:
Sougandh K.M, Country Manager of India, Universal Robots
