India's manufacturing sector holds huge potential to strengthen its domestic economy and establish itself as a leading player in global supply chains. The country is uniquely positioned to capitalise on these changes as the world undergoes significant economic and geopolitical shifts, particularly with the rise of the China Plus One strategy. 

In India, ‘Make in India’ was launched in 2014 with an aim to transform the manufacturing landscape of the country. Achieving this goal requires the support of four key pillars that drive success: company strategies & government policies, green manufacturing, emerging manufacturing technology, and effective people management.

The Indian manufacturing sector’s success depends on effective company strategies and supportive government policies. As global dynamics shift, India faces challenges and opportunities in a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) world. With the China Plus One trend, many global companies are exploring alternative manufacturing destinations. India can capitalise on this shift by establishing a robust manufacturing environment. 

To compete globally, companies must prioritise research and development (R&D) investments to foster innovation and build technological capabilities. The Indian government’s initiatives, such as the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme, encourage investments in high-tech industries, directly supporting R&D and innovation. Industries like electronics, pharmaceuticals, and solar energy are seeing increased investment due to these initiatives.

It is also important that India’s manufacturers must meet global quality standards to ensure competitiveness in foreign markets. Ensuring product consistency, reliability, and safety through rigorous quality management systems is essential for export readiness. Companies in sectors like instrumentation, automotive, textiles, and consumer goods are increasingly required to adhere to international certifications (ISO, CE, UL) to gain credibility in global markets. 

The Indian government has streamlined export procedures, reduced regulatory hurdles, and enhanced trade relations with key markets. Government policies like the Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) initiative encourage local production and reduce import reliance, complemented by tax incentives, subsidies, and industrial corridors to improve infrastructure. Regulatory reforms, such as simplifying the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and labour law reforms, create a more business-friendly environment, helping businesses to reduce their operational costs and increase competitiveness.

As global environmental concerns grow, sustainable manufacturing practices are crucial for India to stay competitive in the global market, where consumers and regulators demand sustainably produced products. Global buyers are increasingly scrutinising the environmental impact of their purchases. Therefore, to stay competitive, Indian manufacturers must invest in energy-efficient technologies and practices that reduce resource consumption. 

Renewable energy sources like solar and wind are central to India’s industrial strategy. Manufacturing units that utilise renewable energy sources reduce their carbon footprint and benefit from government initiatives promoting green energy. Energy-efficient technologies lower production costs and increase the appeal of Indian-made products in markets where sustainability is a key purchasing criterion. India’s abundant renewable energy resources offer significant opportunities for manufacturers to reduce dependency on traditional energy sources while contributing to the country's climate goals.

The government encourages manufacturers to design recyclable and refurbishable products, reducing raw material consumption and promoting waste reduction, creating new business opportunities and driving innovation in material sourcing and waste management. Similarly, companies involved in the manufacturing of measuring instruments are focused more on sustainability and ensure that their products like pressure gauges, transmitters and more. do not harm the environment.

The fourth industrial revolution, or Industry 4.0, is rapidly transforming manufacturing globally. Embracing automation, digital technologies, and data analytics is central to improving efficiency, quality, and productivity in manufacturing processes. Indian manufacturers are increasingly adopting robotic process automation (RPA) and collaborative robots (cobots) to streamline production and reduce labour costs while enhancing precision and throughput. 

The Indian government is also playing a critical role by incentivising automation adoption in key industries such as measurement instrumentation, textiles, and electronics to boost manufacturing output. Moreover, the rise of digital technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), big data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML), is reshaping manufacturing operations. Digitalisation allows manufacturers to optimise processes, reduce downtime, and improve product quality by integrating smart systems and real-time data monitoring.

A highly skilled and capable workforce is essential for the successful future of India's manufacturing sector. To thrive in an Industry 4.0-driven environment, workers must be equipped with the necessary skills. Addressing the significant skill gap, especially in sectors undergoing digital transformation, is crucial. The government has launched initiatives like Skill India to train millions of youths, focusing on industry-relevant skills such as robotics, automation, AI, and 3D printing. These efforts are vital for improving youth employability, reducing the skill gap, and driving innovation. Companies are also encouraged to establish in-house training programs to continually upgrade employee skills, ensuring competitiveness in an evolving industrial landscape.

Collaboration between industry and academia helps bridge the skill gap and foster innovation. Aligning educational curricula with industry requirements ensures that graduates across the country have the knowledge and skills needed to excel in advanced manufacturing environments. Industry partnerships with universities and technical institutions are critical for driving research, innovation, and the development of new technologies. Many Indian universities have begun partnering with manufacturing companies to offer specialised courses focusing on emerging technologies such as Industry 4.0, AI, and IoT, preparing students for real-world manufacturing challenges.

Promoting diversity, particularly the inclusion of women in the workforce, is also key to the success of the Make in India initiative. A diverse workforce fosters innovation and creativity, leading to better decision-making and higher levels of creativity. Programs encouraging women in STEM are essential for creating a dynamic workforce. Companies promoting gender equality and inclusivity can attract a wider talent pool, improve employee morale, and enhance organisational performance, ensuring that the manufacturing sector remains adaptable and competitive in the global market.

India’s potential to become a global manufacturing hub depends on its ability to capitalise on the strategic pillars of the Make in India initiative. By focusing on sound company strategies, government policies, and innovation, India can strengthen its manufacturing base and expand its role in global supply chains. The integration of green manufacturing practices will not only enhance sustainability but also improve competitiveness, helping Indian manufacturers meet global standards.

Additionally, adopting advanced manufacturing technologies, such as automation, AI, and 3D printing, will drive operational efficiency and product quality. A skilled and adaptable workforce equipped through continuous training and industry-academia collaboration will support this transformation. By focusing on these critical areas, India can build a robust, sustainable, and competitive manufacturing ecosystem that will secure its place as a global leader in manufacturing for the future.

Prashant Sinha is a marketing communications professional with a career spanning over 17 years of cross-functional and cross-industry experience. With his career progression from Happersberger otopront GmbH to Socomec Innovative power solutions, he has garnered an in-dept expertise in the sectors of Process Instrumentation and Power Electronics Industry for products such as Uninterruptible Power Supply, Transfer switches, Solar Switches, Energy Efficiency products and Medical Equipment.

In his current role at WIKA India, he is heading the marketing division of the company for EMEA & INDIA Region, exhibiting multi-faceted operational capabilities that include designing and executing strategic marketing and communication plans for the company. He plays a pivotal role in the company’s new Product Development, Trade Marketing, Pricing, Market Research &Integrated Marketing Communications, Event Management, Brand Management & Public Relations.