“I am very passionate about brand India and you know, going global is my passion. So, definitely, I would like to work with IMTMA to promote the Indian machine tool industry internationally. Increasing exports will be on our agenda while creating a brand for ourselves.”
February 2024 : IMTEX Forming 2024 was held at BIEC in Bengaluru from 19th January to 23rd January. Zinnia Banerjee, Assistant Editor at Pro Mfg Media, caught up with Mohini Kelkar, Vice President, IMTMA at the event. In this insightful interview, Mrs. Kelkar spoke about how IMTMA envisions building a brand for the Indian machine tool industry outside India. She underlined the need for promoting Brand India across the globe.
First of all, congratulations on being elected as the Vice President of IMTMA.How do you perceive your new role as the VP?
I am very passionate about brand India and you know, going global is my passion. So, definitely, I would like to work with IMTMA to promote the Indian machine tool industry internationally. Increasing exports will be on our agenda while creating a brand for ourselves.
Do you mean exhibitions similar to IMTEX will be conducted outside India by IMTMA?
We are planning to take part in multiple exhibitions. We are already participating in events like JIMTOF in Japan, CIMT in China. We have always been there in EMO Hannover. We have been taking part and IMTMA has been facilitating these participation. But, apart from this, we are planning to have deeper connections with the industry by establishing networks with similar industry associations in these countries. The truth is that people need to be told that the Indian machine tool industry is doing all that we are doing today. And, it is quite a lot. It is high time now that we speak about it and we brand ourselves in front of the global market. That is my personal passion!
Now that you are representing the country’s apex machine tool industry body, how has the role of women evolved given their historically lower ratio in this sector?
Yes, as you rightly say, the percentage of women is less. But now, women are at the top of many leading machine tool companies. Moreover, you will find more women in strategic roles. On the operational side as well, the number of women is increasing because of digitalization. Earlier, in the manufacturing sector a lot of part handling was done manually but now with mechanization and automation, more and more women will come into manufacturing. Also, I think the industry is now seeing the benefit of having gender diversity.
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