Mumbai / Pune : The Association of Indian Forging Industry (AIFI), the apex body of the Indian forging sector, successfully hosted its Annual Convention in Pune, bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, and experts to deliberate on the evolving landscape of the automotive and forging sectors. The convention, a landmark gathering for the forging fraternity, focused on charting the industry’s role in the future of mobility, exploring opportunities amid global challenges, and reinforcing collaborations to strengthen India’s position in the global value chain.
The National Annual Convention opened with welcome remarks by Mr Sunil Javalekar, Chairman of the Western Region, AIFI, who set the tone for the day by highlighting the forging industry’s legacy, its contribution to India’s manufacturing growth, and the need for a united industry voice in navigating the challenges of global transformation.
The Convention featured two impactful keynote addresses. Dr. K. C. Vora, Program Director, Automotive CoE NAMTECH, Gandhinagar, spoke on “Future of EV & ICE in Indian Scenario,” offering deep insights into the transformative shifts in the automotive sector, India’s transition toward sustainable mobility and the critical role of EV adoption supported by policy frameworks like FAME II and the National Green Hydrogen Mission. Dr. Vora highlighted the importance of balancing innovation in EVs with continued optimization of internal combustion engines (ICE), given their ongoing relevance in India’s diverse mobility ecosystem.
The second keynote, delivered by Mr. Prenayan Kaul, Partner, Supply Chain and Operations, Industrial Products, PwC, was on “Indian Forging Industry – Opportunities in Challenging Times.” Mr. Kaul emphasized how forging companies can adapt to global supply chain disruptions, leverage technology-driven efficiencies and tap into new growth areas while navigating headwinds such as raw material volatility and sustainability imperatives.
Delivering the inaugural address at the convention, Mr. Yash Munot, President, The Association of Indian Forging Industry AIFI, said, “The forging industry stands at a decisive moment in history, as we balance the dual challenges of sustainability and competitiveness. India’s automotive and mobility sectors are undergoing unprecedented transformation, driven by the rise of electric vehicles, advancements in hydrogen fuel technologies, and the continuing relevance of ICE in a country as diverse as ours. At AIFI, we firmly believe that collaboration across industry, academia and policymakers is the key to shaping a resilient future. The signing of the MoU with Hexagon is a testament to our commitment to digitalization and smart manufacturing, ensuring our members remain globally competitive. The discussions today reaffirm our conviction that while challenges remain, opportunities for Indian forging players are immense, provided we embrace innovation, sustainability, and agility.”
A major highlight of the convention was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between AIFI and Hexagon, marking a strategic partnership aimed at advancing digitalization, smart manufacturing and innovation capabilities within the forging sector.
The National Annual Convention also featured a dynamic panel discussion on “Current Industry Scenario – Trends, Opportunities & Challenges.” The session was moderated by Mr. S. Muralishankar, Chairman, Technology and Training, AIFI. Panelists included Mr. C. Rajagopalan, President (Fasteners Division), Sundram Fasteners Ltd.; Mr. Deven Doshi, Chairman – Government Interface, AIFI & Director, Echjay Industries Pvt. Ltd. and Mr. Manish Sonawane, Vice President (Sales), Bharat Forge Ltd. The panel deliberated on critical industry trends, government policies and global competitiveness, underlining the importance of resilience, innovation, and collaborative growth.
The convention concluded with a reaffirmation of AIFI’s mission to strengthen the forging sector’s role as a vital contributor to India’s economic growth, while actively aligning with national priorities such as “Atmanirbhar Bharat” and the transition to sustainable mobility.
