Harnessing Disruptive Technologies to Future-Proof the Manufacturing Sector

Jamshyd N. Godrej, Past President, CII & Chairman, CII Manufacturing Summit 2025 Chairman & Managing Director, Godrej & Boyce Mfg Co Ltd addressed the 20th CII Manufacturing Summit 2025 shared his views on Future-Proofing Manufacturing and the importance of embracing disruptive technologies and more.

Two decades ago, a time marked by deep despondency within the manufacturing industry and across the CII there was a general feeling that manufacturing in India was in decline, if not losing it completely. That was certainly the beginning of the age of domination for software companies, both in India and across the world.

The Manufacturing Summit was conceived in response to that situation and to begin to change the upsetting trend. Unfortunately, even after twenty years, the trajectory remains largely unchanged. However, from an optimistic standpoint, the manufacturing sector still present is in itself encouraging. A closer look reveals that numerous companies with a global footprint in manufacturing achieved significant success, and many of them based in India.

It is encouraging that some of these large companies are not only generating production in India but also producing over 60 percent of their global output in India and realizing 80 percent of their global profits from within India. To have a few of these companies succeed clearly shows that this kind of success is possible despite the many challenges that these businesses experience. Looking at more examples over time, it becomes evident that the ability to succeed in manufacturing is not limited to multinational firms.

Aspirations to grow into global players

Indian firms and other firms with aspirations of growing into global players in their category or category are making effective strides, and that is also worthy of applause. These experiences should be motivating, especially in light of what has happened in China, which has today more than enough manufacturing capacity in near every industrial product category than there is for the global demand.

Looking at that level of scale, it is clear that the targets to be pursued now will be extremely different from those targeted twenty years ago. This will require a commensurate acceleration in the ambition level as a collective body. This cannot be reached through industry alone but everyone in government, at the central, state or local level, needs to be involved.

To share in this ambition the industry is at least on par with the best manufacturing locations in Asia in terms of standard and efficiency. That not only means China, but Vietnam, Thailand, and now Indonesia as well, as for those countries are part of the rapidly expanding competition in Asia. They bring staggering scale and ambition to manufacturing. While many of these countries are establishing goals to make manufacturing, 40% or even 50% of their GDP, India is still stuck at an outdated target of 25%, a target set two or three decades ago. It’s a moving target now and the rest of the world is not waiting for India to catch up. There is a lot to accomplish. Much will depend on the internal ambitions of India’s industrial ecosystem, but it is just as important that government institution such as the central, state, and local which become enablers and advocates. In many of these countries you hear stories about how entrepreneurs in China, Vietnam, or Thailand can enter a country with a business plan and have their product in stores in six months. In many of these countries, having the product in stores in six months, is not the exception, it is expectation, or even the global standard.

These are the standards India must now reckon with and cannot afford to turn away from them. A lot must be accomplished and the work will include an industry focus and beyond. Regulators and supporting institutions are also a key piece of the puzzle. Mr. Thyagarajan chairing the green building programme for CII. It has achieved the second largest number of rated green buildings in the world and within a year or two, India will be the number one in the world. 

Environmental stewardship and sustainability

Net zero has gone from being thought of an important element in the future to being discussed in conversations that everyone would have on a daily basis. Environmental stewardship and sustainability are not optional; they are part of the future of business, and “net zero” is not just a national requirement - it is a requirement of the globe. The onus is on all of us in industry to get busy and show leadership. However, for real change to happen there must be serious collaboration across industry.

The Green Business Center has voiced support for serious collaboration across industry for a long time, particularly with regard to energy efficiency. For example, India’s cement industry is now considered the most energy efficient cement industry in the world, but they did not get there alone, they created a culture of cooperation there are companies working together, sharing knowledge, and helping one another toward a common goal.

This cooperative momentum is what the Centres of Excellence are meant to encourage. These are incubators of innovation, collaboratives of cooperation, and engines of constant improvement. Going forward, it is apparent that there is a need to act as a whole membership of CII: deepening the involvement with these centres. It is clear that not just CB, but all everyone in CII recognize need to do more in order to advocate for the Centres of Excellence and to encourage participation. As it develops further, its impact will be demonstrated to every person.