MOTOTECH24 held at Pune

By Staff Report October 9, 2024 6:40 pm IST

MOTOTECH24 Pune was held on September 27, 2024, at the Novotel Hotel. Prominent industry leaders discussed methods to scale automotive manufacturing technologies and their outlook for the future in India.

MOTOTECH24 Pune Conference was on ‘Scaling Manufacturing Technologies for Automotive Industry.’

Pune is the largest auto hub in India, with more than 4000 manufacturing and ancillary units in the PimpriChinchwad region alone. It has been the Detroit of India, with many automobile companies from around the world manufacturing units in and around the city. So, MOTOTECH has set it as a permanent ground for its automotive event. MOTOTECH24 took place on September 27, 2024, at the Novotel Hotel in Pune, Maharashtra, marking the third edition of this prestigious conference. Building on the success of MOTOTECH 2023, this one-day event brought together industry experts to discuss and debate current technology trends and explore the future of the automotive manufacturing landscape in India. The event featured participation from various sectors, including Auto OEMs, Auto Part Manufacturers across Tier 1, 2, and 3, Machinery Tools & Accessories Manufacturers, Die & Mould Manufacturers, and Manufacturing Software Service Providers.

The event commenced with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony, graced by the esteemed presence of Dr. Ajay Palkar, Shailendra Goswami, Prasad Nair, Radha Poptani, and Sagar Tamhane. Our Conference Chairman, Dr Ajay Palkar, Senior General Manager (HoD—Electrical & Electronics) Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Pvt. Ltd., delivered the keynote address on how technology has revolutionised the automotive world. He addressed how the automotive sector changes customer preferences with increased technology integration. OEMs will face challenges in cost management as they integrate advanced hardware and software into vehicles. Still, collaboration with suppliers and technology partners will optimise the cost while keeping them up with the evolving demands. Commenting further, he emphasised how MotoTech 2024 as a platform addresses the automotive industry’s key challenges.

Shailendra Goswami, Chairman and Managing Director of Pushkaraj Group, was our Guest of Honour. His address focused on India’s rise as a global manufacturing hub, which is fuelled by the pursuit of advanced technologies in automotive manufacturing. He added, “Platforms like MotoTech bring together the industry leaders to talk about the innovation driving us toward a future where India leads the world in automotive excellence.

Conference co-chairman Joydeep Chatterjee, ESG Program Director and Quality FE Leader—India region, and Chief of MOTOTECH24 held at Pune MOTOTECH24 Pune was held on September 27, 2024, at the Novotel Hotel. Prominent industry leaders discussed methods to scale automotive manufacturing technologies and their outlook for the future in India. MOTOTECH24 Pune Conference was on ‘Scaling Manufacturing Technologies for Automotive Industry.’ October 2024 n 49 Staff—Integrated Supply Chain Cummins India Ltd. shared his views on sustainability as a source of competitive advantage. He added, “MOTOTECH 24 successfully united industry leaders to cover important topics like Industry 5. O and the green supply chain for propelling India’s journey towards innovation and sustainability.”

The conference featured a panel discussion on collaborative efforts for a greener automotive supply chain, moderated by Atul Jairaj, Partner at Deloitte India, along with panellist Vijay Kumar Jadhav, Lead Analyst: Process Excellence (Facilities, IT, SCM Opex & Digitalisation) at Eaton; Neelam Pandey Pathak, Founder & CEO of Social Bay Consulting; Sameer Walgude, Lead-Supplier 360/Vihaan at Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.; Pravin Bobhate, Head SCM, GKN Driveline India Ltd. and Kuldeep Singh, Head – Strategic Sourcing & Supply Chain, Kinetic green.

Another panel discussion, the role of digitization & industry 4.0 in enhancing sustainability, was moderated by Shirish Kulkarni, Founder & MD of STROTA ConsulTech Pvt Ltd, with panellists Yogesh Umbarkar, Vice President of Mobility at Valtech Mobility; Kaustubh Deshpande, Founding Partner of Imoto; Gururaj Bengeri, Director of Presales and Digital Transformation Consulting at Siemens Digital Industry Software and Sanjay Warade, Sales Manager – OEM, Rockwell Automation.

The session has multiple technology submissions from Shah Qumer, Industry Leader – Environment Mobility, Omron Automation Pvt. Ltd.; Divyesh Kolwadkar, Sales Area Manager for the West Region at HMS Industrial Networks India Pvt. Ltd.; Rizwan Khan, Sales Manager – India at SupplyPoint Systems; Ravi Patil, General Manager – Rapid Prototyping at DesignTech Systems Pvt Ltd.; Akshatha Dayananda, Addwize Leader – Manager at Wipro 3D; Rujuta Jagtap, Executive Director of SAJ Test Plant Pvt. Ltd. and Ketan Jadhav, Partner at EAC International Consulting. We also had a Master Class Session on ‘The critical role of Electronics, Design & Manufacturing in the Automotive Industry by Nilesh Rathore, Electrification Quality, John Deere Enterprise & Engineering Center.

The conference featured a distinguished lineup of partners, with Omega Seiki Mobility as a special partner, OMRON Automation as the factory automation partner, and HMS Networks as the automation partner. Savy Electric Vehicles joined as the Electric Mobility Partner, TATA Tele Business Services as the Digital Transformation Partner, Supply Point as the Intelligent Inventory Partner, DesignTech as the 3D Printing Partner and LMI Technologies as the Associate Partner. Supporting partners included Compucare India and Universal Battery Solutions.

MOTOTECH 2024 in Pune was lauded as a mature version of the precedented MOTOTECH23, Pune, and MOTOTECH24 Gujarat. The delegates lauded the event for its crisp presentation and relevance to the automotive industry. On this foot, MOTOTECH25, Pune, will be an Expo along with a Conference to stir the automotive technology discussion even further.

Quote:

Dr Ajay Palkar, Senior General Manager (HoD – Electrical & Electronics)  Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Pvt. Ltd.

” Sustainability is becoming equally important as cost management, and OEMs must balance competitiveness with eco-friendly practices. To bridge this gap, they must collaborate closely with suppliers and partners throughout the product lifecycle.”

Joydeep Chatterjee, ESG Program Director and Quality FE Leader – India region Chief of Staff – Integrated Supply Chain, Cummins India Ltd

“The future of the automotive industry is robust with interconnected systems that assure end-to-end transparency and real-time data accuracy. To develop affordable software solutions, government support is required, allowing MSMEs to innovate sustainably. Despite recession concerns, the industry will likely expand and adapt to sustainable automation.” 

Shailendra Goswami, Chairman and Managing Director, Pushkaraj Group

“True sustainability in the automotive industry comes from embracing green technologies, where EVs lead the way and hybrid solutions ensure flexibility. Our future lies in automation, digitisation, and robotics converging to create a smarter, greener, and more efficient manufacturing ecosystem.

Krishna Bhojkar, Partner, Bhojkar Consulting

“The next few years will be important for the automotive sector, with technology driving the transformation. As we shift from traditional engines to electric and hybrid vehicles, we must focus on improving our charging infrastructure and exploring new business models.”

Neelam Pandey Pathak, Founder & CEO of Social Bay Consulting

“Empowering women in manufacturing requires mentorship, access to core roles, and growth opportunities. Inclusivity and sustainability can lead to a more innovative and equitable future for the industry.”

Pravin Bobhate, Head SCM GKN Driveline India Ltd.

“The automotive industry’s success is deeply tied to the efficiency and sustainability of its supply chain. As we optimise and innovate, we make the way for a greener and a resilient future.”

Sameer Walgude, Lead – Supplier 360 / Vihaan Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd

“Automotive sustainability is about more than just innovation; it’s about creating a strong supply chain network, adopting green technologies, and driving a long-term commitment to responsible manufacturing for a cleaner future.”

Kuldeep Singh, Head, Strategic Sourcing & Supply Chain 

“Collaboration in the supply chain is a commitment to sustainability that drives innovation and empowers a greener future for the automotive industry. It is much more than mere strategy making.”

Vijay Kumar Jadhav (Retd.) Lead Analyst: Process Excellence (Facilities, IT, SCM Opex & Digitalisation), Eaton

“Robust battery charging infrastructure will provide India with a sustainable and efficient automotive future. Only this will accelerate the adoption of EVs.”

Kaustubh Deshpande, Founding Partner, Imoto

“At Imoto, we believe that the future of mobility is understanding the desires of a younger population. As we launch our indigenous fast-charging vehicles, designed for functionality and aspiration, we aim to disrupt the EV industry with innovative products that resonate with diverse consumer needs.”

Gururaj Bengeri, Director, Presales and Digital Transformation Consulting, Siemens Digital Industry Software

“Traditional assembly is changing to cell-based systems, driven by new-age OEMs. This shift improves consumer experiences and meets Indian market demands for automobiles.”

Shirish Kulkarni, Founder & MD, STROTA ConsulTech Pvt Ltd

“As we adapt digital technologies and prioritise sustainability, manufacturers align their strategies with ESG principles. This shift will improve operational efficiencies while reducing our carbon footprint.”

Sanjay Warade, Sales Manager-OEM, Rockwell Automation

“Digitisation and Industry 4.0 are essential catalysts for sustainability. They enable smarter processes that reduce waste and drive efficiency in every aspect of manufacturing.”

Yogesh Umbarkar, Vice President – Mobility, Valtech Mobility

“Sustainability in mobility will be granted when prioritising green technologies and innovative solutions like AI while also investing in recycling and durable battery technologies that reduce our environmental footprint.”

Divyesh Kolwadkar, Sales Area Manager – West Region HMS Industrial Networks India Pvt. Ltd

“HMS Industrial Networks is assisting automotive data connectivity by integrating OT with IT. Our Defender product ensures secure data transfer without loss. As the Indian automotive sector expands, we support growth with our innovative IoT solutions.”

Shan Qumer, Industry Leader, Environmental Mobility, Omron Automation Pvt. Ltd.

“Automation and robotics in the automotive industry are a force that will upgrade efficiency and improve safety. We will have a smarter and innovative future in mobility.”

Nilesh Rathore Electrification Quality Lead, John Deere Enterprise Technology and Engineering Centre, Pune

“Driving innovation in the automotive industry hinges on the critical interplay of electronics, design, and manufacturing. With cutting-edge technologies, we can redefine mobility and create smarter, more sustainable vehicles for the future.”

Rizwan Khan, Sales Manager – India SupplyPoint Systems

“The future of the Indian manufacturing sector is bright and filled with potential. With a new generation of entrepreneurs eager to embrace cutting-edge technologies, India is poised to become a key player in the global automotive landscape, attracting attention from American and European markets.”

Ravi Patil, General Manager, Rapid Prototyping, DesignTech Systems Pvt. Ltd.

“3D printing is important in the automotive industry because it enables rapid prototyping, lowers production costs, and allows for unparalleled design customisation. This technology accelerates innovation and reshapes traditional manufacturing processes for a more agile future.”  

Akshatha Dayananda, Addwize Leader & Manager, Wipro 3D.

“3D printing empowers the creation with precision and sustainability. It reduces material waste, accelerates production cycles, and enables suitable solutions.” 

Rujuta Jagtap, Executive Director, SAJ Test Plant Pvt Ltd

“At SAJ, we leverage R&D-driven innovation to improve sustainable manufacturing. As India’s EV market matures, we believe universal government support is essential for balanced growth in the automotive sector.”

Ketan Jadhav, Partner, EAC International Consulting

“Localisation in green mobility presents both opportunities and challenges, as we strive to innovate while ensuring sustainable practices and meeting local market demands effectively.”

Atul Jairaj, Partner, Deloitte, India

The bigger picture suggests that manufacturers are responsible for sustainability, but that is a general perception. At Deloitte, we conduct a yearly consumer study that says 68% of consumers consider the green and sustainability aspects before purchasing a vehicle.