Propelling progress, the Hyderabadi way

The public-sector undertakings (PSUs) and their ancillary units that earlier led the manufacturing revolution in Hyderabad have given way to the pharmaceutical and aerospace sectors, which now lead the Telangana capital’s emergence as a smart manufacturing hub, says Jayesh Ranjan, the state’s principal secretary in charge of industries and commerce as well as information technology. 

“Our pharma manufacturing is considered to be one of the best in the country,” adds Ranjan, who spoke at a conference on manufacturing excellence, Man’Exe–2020, organised by the Telangana chapter of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in partnership with the state government. “Covid-19 had disrupted the supply chains of many sectors, but these are now back to the normal.”

Smart manufacturing 

The 16th edition of the conference, this one was on the theme Smart manufacturing: resurgence of manufacturing sector. Participants from both the public and private sectors spoke on topics like ‘automating into the future – one step at a time’, ‘adaptive engineering for competitiveness’ and ‘new-age skilling – remote and virtual manufacturing’. 

“Quantity, quality and time to go together,” says Vijay Kalra, head, Mahindra Institute of Quality & chairman, safety council, Mahindra group. “In the current scenario, where many companies are facing resources constraints, we need to have a strong robust system in place to ensure that good quality products are manufactured at a low cost.”

With the current focus being on ‘Make in India, Make for the World’, all Indian companies should inculcate a habit of manufacturing for the global consumer, says D. Raju, managing director & CEO, Kirby Building Systems & Structures, who is the immediate past chairman of CII Telangana. “This can help the Indian industries find their true place in the global value chains, along with propelling them to be among the world’s largest companies,” he adds. “Investments in research and innovations are highly important to truly progress in manufacturing: industries should strive to increase their investments in these areas.”

Krishna Bodanapu, MD, Cyient Ltd, a global engineering & technology solutions company & Raju’s successor at CII, says Man’Exe has over the years been leading manufacturing in Telangana towards advanced technologies, improving efficiency and quality. “Automation and smart manufacturing have great potential to propel manufacturing, and will help Indian companies offer quality products at competitive prices by improving labour and capital productivity,” he adds. N.L.N. Raju, convenor, CII’s Telangana Manufacturing Panel & vice president, technology platform of the Signode Industrial Group, also exhorts Indian industries to invest in developing new products and services to increase the size of the economic pie as well as improving people’s quality of life in general. 

IIT-Hyderabad director B.S. Murthy, and ALPLA Ltd Director Shobha Dixit addressed the conference too. Adds Ranjan: “The Telangana government is committed to strengthening the manufacturing sector, which will provide employment opportunities to many people.”