In an exclusive interaction with Wire & Cable India, Mr. Ajay Vedmutha, Chairman, Steel Wire Manufacturers Association of India (SWMAI), shares that India is evolving from a cost-competitive manufacturing base to a technology-driven, globally compliant engineering partner. The steel wire industry is promoting collective industry standards, encouraging technology upgrades, and representing Indian capabilities on a global stage.
Wire & Cable India: What will you showcase at WIRE Düsseldorf to highlight India’s technological capabilities and manufacturing excellence to a global audience?
Ajay Vedmutha: At WIRE Düsseldorf 2026, we will showcase India’s evolution from a cost-competitive manufacturing base to a technology-driven, globally compliant engineering partner. Our focus will be on high-performance steel wire ropes, specialty wires, and value-added solutions developed for critical applications such as elevators, cranes, ports, mining, oil & gas, infrastructure, and renewable energy.
Equally important will be demonstrating process excellence—advanced metallurgy, automation, digital quality monitoring, and consistency at scale—proving that Indian manufacturers today deliver precision, reliability, and long-term performance, not just volumes.
WCI: How do platforms like WIRE Düsseldorf help Indian manufacturers connect with global markets and customers?
AV: WIRE Düsseldorf is not just a trade fair; it is a global convergence point for technology, buyers, and decision-makers.
For Indian manufacturers, it provides direct access to global OEMs and EPC players, distributors and system integrators, and technology licensors and raw-material innovators.
Such platforms enable face-to-face credibility building, faster trust, and deeper technical discussions—something no virtual engagement can fully replace. It also allows Indian companies to position themselves as long-term partners, not transactional suppliers.
Watch: Top Cable Companies in India
WCI: What key global market insights are you hoping to gain and bring back to strengthen India’s ecosystem?
AV: We aim to bring back insights on emerging performance standards and certifications; global expectations around traceability, lifecycle performance, and safety; trends in automation, digital manufacturing, and smart factories; and sustainability benchmarks and carbon-accounting practices. These learnings help Indian manufacturers align future investments with where the global market is headed, ensuring India remains competitive for the next decade—not just the next order.
WCI: How has India’s representation evolved at international trade fairs, and how do you contribute to strengthening India’s image?
AV: Over the years, India’s presence has evolved from being price-led to capability-led. Today, Indian exhibitors are confident, technically strong, and solution-oriented.
As an industry leader and through SWMAI, I actively work toward promoting collective industry standards, encouraging technology upgrades, and representing Indian capabilities through global forums.
Our goal is clear: ‘to establish India as a trusted global engineering hub, known for scale, quality, and innovation.’
WCI: What core Indian manufacturing strengths differentiate you globally? For what turnkey solutions is the world looking at India?
AV: India’s key strengths include strong engineering talent, deep metallurgical knowledge, ability to deliver customized solutions at scale, and agile manufacturing with faster turnaround times.
Globally, India is increasingly looked at for turnkey wire and rope solutions, especially for infrastructure, lifting, power transmission, renewables, and industrial applications—where design-to-delivery integration is critical.
WCI: How are Indo-global collaborations helping reinforce India’s engineering leadership?
AV: Indo-global collaborations bring together the best of both worlds—global technology and Indian execution strength. These partnerships enable faster adoption of advanced processes, joint development of high-performance products, and improved compliance with international norms. Such collaborations are accelerating India’s transition from a manufacturing base to a co-innovation partner for global markets.
WCI: Which international regions are strategic growth markets, and how is India positioned as your global base?
AV: We see strong growth potential in Europe, Middle East, North America, Africa and select Asian economies. India, with its scale, skilled workforce, and improving infrastructure, is ideally positioned as a global manufacturing and export hub, supporting these regions with consistent quality, competitive costs, and reliable supply chains.
Also Read: Machine & Controls: India Balances Premium Technologies and Economical Manufacturing
WCI: How are cost pressures being managed without compromising quality or compliance?
AV: Cost pressures are real, but they are being addressed through process optimization and yield improvement, energy efficiency initiatives, long-term sourcing strategies, and automation and waste reduction. The focus is always on cost intelligence, not cost cutting, ensuring product reliability, safety, and compliance remain non-negotiable.
WCI: How are sustainability expectations translating into manufacturing changes?
AV: Sustainability is now integral to business strategy. This translates into energy-efficient furnaces and processes, increased recycling and resource optimization, reduced emissions and water consumption, and designing products with longer life cycles. Indian manufacturers are aligning sustainability with operational excellence, making it both environmentally responsible and economically viable.
India’s participation at WIRE Düsseldorf 2026 reflects confidence, capability, and commitment. As Indian industry leaders, our responsibility is to ensure that the world sees India not only as a manufacturing destination, but as a global engineering partner of choice.
