PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) hosted the National Conference on “Manufacturing Excellence: Building World-Class Manufacturing Capabilities for Tomorrow” at PHD House, New Delhi. The conference brought together government representatives, industry leaders, technology experts, academia, and manufacturing stakeholders to discuss strategies for strengthening India’s manufacturing ecosystem, advancing quality infrastructure, and enhancing global industrial competitiveness.
The conference commenced with opening remarks by Mr. Sunil Mangla, Chair, Manufacturing Committee, PHDCCI, who highlighted that manufacturing remains a critical pillar of India’s economic transformation and a key driver towards achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. He stated that India today possesses strong capital availability, world-class infrastructure, and a skilled young workforce, positioning the country as a leading global manufacturing destination.
Emphasizing the growing importance of quality-led manufacturing, Mr. Mangla said that global markets today demand not only low-cost products but low-cost quality products. He underlined the importance of globally accepted testing and certification systems, integrated supply chains, manufacturing hubs, and collaborative industrial ecosystems to improve productivity and competitiveness.
Addressing the gathering as Chief Guest, Smt. Nidhi Khare, Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, said that India is entering a defining phase in its manufacturing journey where quality, innovation, safety, and sustainability will shape the country’s industrial future.
She emphasized that the future of Indian manufacturing lies not just in increasing production capacity but in adopting advanced technologies, smart manufacturing systems, and product lifecycle management to strengthen global competitiveness. Highlighting the importance of Quality Control Orders (QCOs) and strong standards frameworks, she stated that regulations should serve as catalysts for manufacturing excellence, consumer trust, and fair trade practices.
Smt. Khare further shared that India is modernizing its testing infrastructure through faster testing methodologies, expansion of laboratory networks, adoption of AI and robotics, and development of testing corridors to improve efficiency and ease of access for industries. Referring to sectors such as toys and footwear, she noted that quality-driven regulations have significantly boosted domestic manufacturing, exports, and global acceptance of Indian products.
Mr. Anshuman Singhania, Co-Chair, Manufacturing Committee, PHDCCI, stated that quality and innovation will play a defining role in positioning India as a globally competitive manufacturing hub. He highlighted that customer-centricity, technological innovation, sustainability, and digital transformation have become essential pillars of modern manufacturing.
Referring to advancements such as smart manufacturing systems and sensor-enabled technologies, he emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between government, industry, academia, and technology institutions to accelerate manufacturing productivity and efficiency.
Speaking on the role of emerging technologies in industrial growth, Mr. Kunal Singhal, Co-Chair, Manufacturing Committee, PHDCCI, said that Artificial Intelligence is no longer a future concept but a present-day necessity capable of transforming manufacturing efficiency, supply chains, and business competitiveness.
Highlighting global uncertainties and supply chain disruptions, he stressed the importance of technologically strengthening India’s manufacturing ecosystem and transitioning from a domestic-focused economy to a globally competitive export-driven manufacturing hub.
The conference also witnessed the launch of the knowledge report titled “India Manufacturing Imperative 2026-2035: Manufacturing Excellence – Building World-Class Manufacturing Capabilities for Tomorrow.” Prepared under the leadership of Ms. Satish Dev Jain, Chair of the Haryana Chapter, PHDCCI, the report outlines India’s manufacturing aspirations, sustainability goals, industrial transformation priorities, policy recommendations, and roadmap for strengthening global competitiveness.
The inaugural session was followed by technical discussions on Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Value Engineering, and Digital Transformation in Manufacturing, focusing on evolving industrial practices, innovation, technology adoption, and operational efficiency.
The conference concluded with a strong call for deeper collaboration between government, industry, academia, and technology leaders to build a globally competitive, sustainable, innovation-driven, and quality-focused manufacturing ecosystem aligned with India’s vision of becoming a developed economy by 2047.