Indian Manufacturers Boost Quality Standards to Compete Globally

The surge in awareness about quality among Indian producers is a major turning point in the nation's industrial scene, with auto and chemicals industries leading the pack in embracing international certifications and quality standards. As per the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the trend does not stop here as capital goods and FMCG industries also match up to international standards to improve exports and revenue generation.

The CII Manufacturing Competitiveness Study, Raising the Standard: Quality Transformation of Indian Manufacturing, identifies major issues confronting Indian manufacturers, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs). They consist of elevated implementation costs, restricted access to high-end technology, and unavailability of skilled workers. The study also identifies the vagueness of global standards and the lack of an adequate testing base that hampers quality consistency across industries.

The report recommends strategic investments in technology, upgrading, and integrating with global standards to correct these. It stresses effective Quality Management Plans (QMPs) for compliance, minimizing defects, and product consistency. Upgrading vendor management and creating a "quality-first" culture are also critical measures to upgrade India's global manufacturing image.

Deepak Shetty, Chairman of the Council on Manufacturing Excellence, CII, and CEO of JCB India Limited, remarked, "Quality is not just a benchmark; it is the backbone of a sustainable and resilient manufacturing ecosystem." Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General, CII, emphasized quality being a "strategic differentiator" in deciding India's competitiveness in the global economy. The report ends with an appeal to keep raising the bar, integrate digital tools, and implement active quality management to enable India to consolidate its position as a world manufacturing leader.