As global customers are looking to diversify their sourcing and build resilient supply chains, Mr. Neeraj Kant, Chief Executive Officer, Mukand Limited tells Wire & Cable India that the company is strengthening India’s reputation as a global manufacturing center, by showcasing engineering depth, consistent quality, and a strong commitment to sustainability and innovation. The company is providing top-notch engineering solutions, while adhering to international standards for performance and compliance across the steel and heavy industries.
Wire & Cable India: What will you showcase at WIRE Düsseldorf to highlight India’s technological capabilities and manufacturing excellence to a global audience?
Neeraj Kant: Mukand Limited, one of the largest manufacturers of stainless steel long products in India, has been exhibiting at Wire and Tube, Düsseldorf since 2008. This year, our company Mukand Limited will proudly showcase the remarkable capabilities of India’s advanced stainless steel manufacturing ecosystem through its comprehensive and integrated expertise in stainless steel long products. Our extensive portfolio includes premium quality bars, wire rods and rebars that cater to diverse industrial applications and demanding customer requirements.
Our exhibits will demonstrate how seamlessly technology, quality systems and process excellence converge at Mukand will deliver superior products. Visitors to our stand will gain detailed insights into our state-of-the-art melting, rolling and finishing facilities that incorporate the latest innovations. They will learn about our deep metallurgical expertise developed over decades, and witness our proven track record in ensuring consistent quality across a wide range of grades and specifications that not only meet but often exceed the most stringent global standards.
We look forward to highlighting our technology upgradation initiatives that keep us at the forefront of innovation, advanced process controls that ensure precision and reliability, and sustainability-driven manufacturing practices aligned with global environmental priorities. These capabilities exemplify India’s transformation from being primarily a cost-efficient manufacturing base to emerging as a reliable, high-quality and innovation-oriented supplier serving discerning global markets.
Through our participation at Wire and Tube, Düsseldorf, we aim to reinforce our position as a trusted partner and demonstrate how Indian manufacturers like Mukand Limited are ideally positioned to support global customers with precision-engineered products, dependable supply chains and long-term partnerships that drive mutual growth and success in an evolving industrial landscape.
Watch: Top Cable Companies in India
WCI: International trade fairs play a crucial role in shaping industry collaborations. How do platforms like WIRE Düsseldorf help Indian manufacturers connect with global markets and customers?
NK: International trade fairs such as WIRE Düsseldorf serve as powerful platforms for building meaningful industry collaborations and accelerating global market access for Indian manufacturers. These events create unparalleled opportunities for companies to showcase their capabilities and establish their presence in international markets.
For us, WIRE Düsseldorf enables direct engagement with a diverse global audience, from customers and distributors to technology providers and industry experts, under one roof. These face-to-face interactions help build trust, credibility and deeper technical conversations, which are critical in the stainless steel industry where quality, consistency and application knowledge matter. The personal connections formed at such events often translate into lasting business relationships and collaborative opportunities.
These platforms also allow Indian manufacturers to benchmark their capabilities against global peers, stay aligned with evolving international standards, and gain first-hand insights into emerging trends, customer expectations and technological advancements. The continuous exchange in these events strengthens product development and enhances competitiveness in export markets. Companies can evaluate their market position, identify areas for improvement, and adapt their strategies to meet global demands effectively.
Most importantly, exhibitions like WIRE Düsseldorf help position Indian companies as reliable, technology-driven and globally relevant partners, enabling long-term relationships rather than transactional engagements, and supporting India’s growing role in the global stainless steel supply chain.
Customers are increasingly turning to India for integrated solutions that lower complexity and speed up time-to-market, from design support and material engineering to manufacturing, testing, and logistics.
WCI: From your participation at WIRE Düsseldorf, what key global market insights are you hoping to gain and bring back to strengthen India’s wire and cable manufacturing ecosystem?
NK: We have a strategic opportunity to learn firsthand about global market dynamics and industry advancements by attending Wire Düsseldorf. Understanding new application trends in a variety of industries, changing consumer performance standards in various markets, and the growing industry focus on high-strength, specialty, and sustainable stainless steel grades that satisfy contemporary manufacturing demands are our main areas of focus.
We can more accurately evaluate how requirements for surface finish, dimensional accuracy, quality consistency, and traceability are evolving across international markets and applications through direct interactions with global customers, technology providers, and industry experts.
Learning from international best practices in quality control, process automation, and energy-efficient manufacturing is another crucial lesson. Our continuous efforts to improve operational excellence and match our products with manufacturing standards that are prepared for the future are supported by these insights.
By applying these lessons, we hope to improve our product offerings, fortify cooperation with downstream consumers, and significantly contribute to the development of India’s stainless steel manufacturing industry.
Indian manufacturers have established strong capabilities in metallurgy, precision engineering, and process optimization, enabling them to deliver complex requirements quickly, consistently, and with flexibility. These qualities are becoming more and more important in global supply chains.
WCI: Over the years, how have you seen India’s representation evolve at international trade fairs, and how do you contribute to strengthening India’s image as a global engineering hub?
NK: India’s representation at international trade shows has changed dramatically over time, going from being primarily viewed as a cost-competitive manufacturing base to being acknowledged as a major center for technological capability, process innovation, and engineering excellence. These days, Indian businesses present cutting-edge manufacturing techniques, environmentally friendly solutions, and internationally recognized quality standards in addition to their products.
At Mukand, our performance on the international scene contributes to enhancing India’s reputation as a global center for engineering. We prioritize showcasing engineering depth, quality consistency, and a strong dedication to sustainability and innovation. We contribute to the narrative that India can provide top-notch engineering solutions by participating in insightful technical conversations, openly disclosing our manufacturing capabilities, and conforming to international standards for performance and compliance.
Equally important is the mindset—we approach international platforms as long-term partnership opportunities rather than transactional engagements. This helps build trust, credibility, and a strong “Made in India” reputation that is driven by capability, not just scale.
WCI: What core Indian manufacturing strengths differentiate you on the global stage? For what turnkey solutions is the world looking at India?
NK: India’s ability to integrate engineering depth, scale, and adaptability is one of its key manufacturing advantages. Thanks to a strong talent pool and a problem-solving culture, Indian manufacturers have established strong capabilities in metallurgy, precision engineering, and process optimization. This enables us to deliver complex requirements quickly, consistently, and with flexibility – qualities that are becoming more and more important in global supply chains.
India distinguishes itself on the international scene by providing turnkey, or end-to-end, solutions as opposed to individual products. Customers are increasingly turning to India for integrated solutions that lower complexity and speed up time-to-market, from design support and material engineering to manufacturing, testing, and logistics.
At Mukand, this translates into offering value beyond materials – through application engineering support, customized grades, and dependable execution. As global customers look to diversify sourcing and build resilient supply chains, India’s combination of technical capability, cost competitiveness, and reliability positions it as a preferred partner for comprehensive manufacturing solutions.
Global customers are looking to diversify sourcing and build resilient supply chains. India’s combination of technical capability, cost competitiveness, and reliability positions it as a preferred partner for comprehensive manufacturing solutions.
WCI: Which international regions do you see as strategic growth markets, and how is India positioned as your global manufacturing base to support these expansions?
NK: Due to renewed infrastructure investments, energy transition initiatives, and the need for high-quality engineered materials, we see significant strategic growth opportunities in Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and a few North American markets. These areas are searching more and more for dependable partners who can meet changing sustainability and regulatory requirements while delivering consistent quality.
Today, India is central to the global growth strategy and serves as a primary manufacturing base. The country offers a unique combination of advanced metallurgical capabilities, skilled engineering talent, and scalable infrastructure, enabling us to support diverse international markets efficiently. Our manufacturing operations in India are aligned with global standards, allowing us to deliver products that meet stringent international specifications.
WCI: How are cost pressures across raw materials, energy, or logistics being managed without compromising product reliability or compliance?
NK: The cost pressures across raw material, energy and logistics etc are evident in today’s dynamic business scenario. However, at Mukand, we focus on optimizing the entire value chain rather than addressing costs in isolation. This includes strategic sourcing of raw materials, continuous improvements in our manufacturing process to improve efficiency, and smarter logistics planning to reduce volatility and waste.
Equally important is our emphasis on process control and standardization. By strengthening internal systems, investing in technological upgradation, and closely monitoring critical parameters, we ensure that cost efficiencies do not translate into compromises on quality or compliance.
Beyond the product itself, we place strong emphasis on service quality as a key differentiator. Mukand focuses on delivering a high standard of customer service alongside superior, differentiated products. Our dispatch compliance and on-time-in-full (OTIF) performance is currently among the best globally, reinforcing customer confidence even in challenging cost environments.
In parallel, we work closely with customers to align on specifications, planning cycles, and long-term requirements. This collaborative approach allows us to manage cost pressures transparently while continuing to meet global standards and regulatory expectations.
Also Read: SWMAI: India’s Transition from Manufacturing Base to Co-Innovation Partner for Global Markets
WCI: How are sustainability expectations from customers or regulators translating into changes in product design, manufacturing practices, or material choices?
NK: Sustainability expectations from customers and regulators are shaping decisions in product design, manufacturing practices, and material selection. What was once an added consideration is now a basic requirement in how products are made and delivered. Customers want materials that last longer, are more efficient, and have less impact on the environment throughout the product lifecycle. From a manufacturing standpoint, this trend leads to a stronger focus on energy efficiency, resource use, and cutting emissions. At Mukand, we are investing in cleaner processes, better scrap use, and stricter controls to reduce waste while keeping performance and compliance. Sustainability is becoming part of our operational decision-making instead of being treated as a separate initiative.
