AHMEDABAD, GUJARAT | 18th SEPTEMBER 2026 | The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Gujarat organised the 4th Edition of the CII Gujarat Manufacturing Conclave 2026 at Hotel Le Meridien, Ahmedabad, bringing together industry leaders, manufacturing experts and business stakeholders to discuss how Gujarat can build a stronger, smarter and more sustainable manufacturing ecosystem.
Held under the theme “Scale, Smart & Sustainable Future-Proofing Gujarat’s Manufacturing,” the conclave focused on the changing needs of the manufacturing sector and the opportunities for Gujarat to strengthen its position in India and global value chains.
The discussions at the conclave revolved around three key areas building the right mindset for scale, accelerating industrial technology adoption and developing sustainable operations for the future.
Speaking about the purpose of the conclave, Mr. Jayanth Murthy, Chairman, CII Gujarat Manufacturing Panel and Vice Chairman, Main Infratech India, said that bringing the manufacturing community together is about creating something new and celebrating the growth and potential of Indian manufacturing. He emphasised that platforms like these provide an opportunity for industry leaders to exchange ideas, understand changing market requirements and look at practical ways to improve efficiency, quality and productivity. He also highlighted the importance of continuous improvement and preparing businesses to compete in a rapidly changing global environment.
Mr. Achal Bakeri, Chairman, CII Gujarat State Council & Chairman and Managing Director, Symphony Limited, spoke about the changing nature of Indian manufacturing and the country’s growing importance in the global manufacturing landscape. He highlighted the need for Indian businesses to move towards higher-value manufacturing, improve their capabilities and become an integral part of global value chains. He also pointed towards the opportunities emerging in Gujarat, particularly with the state’s strong industrial base and its ability to attract investments.
Speaking on the growing business relationship between Japan and India, Mr. Jun Takahashi, Director Operations, JGBL, Ahmedabad, highlighted the positive relationship between the two countries and the increasing opportunities for collaboration in the business and manufacturing sectors. He noted that Gujarat has emerged as an important destination for businesses and investment, creating opportunities for stronger cooperation in areas such as manufacturing, technology, operational excellence and industrial development.
The conclave also brought attention to the importance of technology adoption in manufacturing. With industries rapidly adopting automation, digital technologies, AI and advanced manufacturing practices, speakers discussed how businesses can use technology not only to improve productivity but also to build more efficient and future-ready operations.
Another important area of discussion was sustainability. Industry leaders highlighted that sustainable manufacturing is no longer limited to environmental responsibility but is increasingly connected with efficiency, cost optimisation, resource management and long-term business growth.
The conclave featured participation from several prominent industry and academic leaders, including Mr. Nirag Choksi, Co-Chairperson, CII Gujarat Manufacturing Panel & Director, Rakus Engineering Pvt. Ltd.; Mr. Dinesh Pilgaonkar, Chair, CII Gujarat SME Panel & Vice President, BCC Cool / Isola; Mr. Purvish Shah, Director, Gujdi Glass Works Ltd.; Mr. Harish Sodanna, President – Corporate Matters & Group Finance, JK Tyre Group; Mr. Kaushik Padmanabhan, Lead Program Manager, Google India; Ms. Poonam G. Kaushik, Head Technology Enablement Mentor & Startup Funds/Exits Pvt. Ltd.; Dr. Satya R. Acharya, Professor & Director, School of Management, Gujarat Technological University, Ahmedabad; and other industry professionals.
The conclave provided a platform for meaningful conversations on scaling businesses, adopting new technologies, strengthening MSMEs, improving industrial productivity and making manufacturing more sustainable.
The overall message from the conclave was clear: Gujarat has a strong manufacturing foundation, but the next phase of growth will depend on how effectively businesses embrace technology, innovation, sustainability and global standards.
With its strong industrial ecosystem, entrepreneurial spirit and growing investment opportunities, Gujarat continues to play an important role in shaping the future of India’s manufacturing sector.
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