Die & Mould India 2022 Brings Together Innovation and Technology

Mumbai, India – TAGMA India’s 12th Biennial Die & Mould India International Exhibition kicked off with the goal of providing an ideal opportunity to bring the latest technologies and products for the fast-evolving die & mould industry under one roof. The much-anticipated event took place on April 27, 2022, at the Bombay Exhibition Centre in Goregaon, Mumbai. Die & Mould India, organized by the Tool & Gauge Manufacturers Association of India (TAGMA), India’s most sought after platform for the die and mould industry, was inaugurated by Chief Guest Prabhakar Kadapa, Partner & Director, Mudita Strat-Aegis Consultants Pvt Ltd, and Guests of Honour Vidyadhar Limaye, Senior Director, IAC Group; Raghava Badhya TV, President & Director, Makino India Pvt Ltd; DM Sheregar, President, TAGMA India; and D Shanmugasundaram, Vice President, TAGMA India, in the presence of other dignitaries. The traditional lighting of the inaugural lamp by dignitaries signaled the start of the exhibition.

Sheregar then delivered his welcome speech.“The last two years have been challenging for all of us personally as well as professionally,” he said, addressing the audience. “However, the industry has emerged stronger and is ready to tap the growing demand for tools in the country. As COVID-19-related challenges fade away and the Indian manufacturing industry is witnessing growth opportunities, the 12th Die & Mould India exhibition aspires to play the role of a facilitator. I would like to take this opportunity to extend my good wishes to all the exhibitors present here. I’m optimistic that you will achieve great success.”

The four-day event promises to highlight not only various technological developments for the thriving die and mould industry, but also opportunities and challenges, as well as provide a platform for toolmakers to learn from the user industry.

Highlighting the industry’s opportunities and challenges, Limaye stated, “I am familiar with the tooling industry and have witnessed its growth journey. India’s toolmakers have made significant contributions to the global manufacturing sector. However, our automobile industry is still heavily reliant on foreign toolmakers because of our toolmakers’ limited capacity. If we find a way to bring toolmakers together to maximize capacity utilization, the Indian tooling industry will be able to meet the fast-paced demands of various sectors and will be able to tap the growing opportunities.”

Badhya went on to discuss the potential of the tooling industry and share future insights. “Coming together is the beginning. TAGMA deserves appreciation for taking initiatives to help the Indian tooling industry. I believe the next five years will be ripe with possibilities. Indian toolmakers will find lots of opportunities in electronics, medical equipment, aerospace and defence, among other industries. We need to make India known for its quality. But for this, we need to focus on the global market, building strategic partnerships, and manpower development. No other country has a more educated population, a larger geographical area, and smart minds with talented hands than India. I am confident that this decade will be the most rewarding for India’s manufacturing sector, which will positively reflect on the tooling industry,” he elaborated.

Kadapa then delivered his keynote address at the inauguration ceremony. Believing that the Indian tooling industry has major export potential, he pointed out, “The tooling industry has come a long way in the last 40 years. The sector has seen a lot of advancements and is now catering to demands from some global customers. The tooling industry’s evolution over the next 5 to 10 years will be mind-boggling. While Indian tooling companies lack the specialization that the global market demands, the scenario is slowly changing. Indian toolmakers are adopting the latest technologies, like their global counterparts.”

Sheregar and Shanmugasundaram then presented the Chief Guest and the Guests of Honour with a shawl and a memento as a token of appreciation. Shanmugasundaram expressed appreciation to the dignitaries, exhibitors, and other professionals who attended the event, and commented, “We are all aware that we come from an industry that forms the backbone of the manufacturing sector. The tooling industry is often referred to as the ‘mother industry’, because without toolmakers, no product development can take place in any industry, be it automotive, aerospace & defence, packaging, electronics, toy making, or railways, among others.”

“Toolmakers, if you carefully observe, every industry is brimming with a plethora of opportunities. Undoubtedly, the pandemic is still posing challenges. But the overall future looks promising. After the success of ‘Make in India’, we are optimistic that the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ campaign will help us grow further. Like I have already said, we have a lot of opportunities in front of us. All we need to do is introspect on our drawbacks and work on our areas for improvement,” he further added.

Following that, the guests proceeded to the exhibition grounds for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. The 2022 edition of the Die & Mould India exhibition will feature over 300 exhibitors covering an area of 19,200 sq mt and from 10+ countries, each presenting the latest developments in the tooling industry. The Indian tooling industry is projected to expand by double digits in the coming years as a result of significant growth forecasted and the emergence of many sectors in India. The event is expected to attract 40,000-50,000 visitors from a wide range of industries, and with such a strong start, the days ahead are sure to attract some major alliances, resulting in even more opportunities.

Image Source: TAGMA