Catalyst for Indian machine tool builders across the world

By Staff Report June 5, 2025 6:50 pm IST

IMTMA is actively mediating and making routes for Indian machine tool builders to expand globally with tech centres and international collaboration. This strategic approach ensures continuous market presence and empowers members to compete confidently on the world stage, shares Jibak Dasgupta, Director General & CEO of IMTMA.

With “One World, One Market” in mind, what role is IMTMA playing in aligning Indian manufacturing capabilities with international quality and performance benchmarks?
IMTMA is exploring avenues to establish technology centres in other strategic overseas markets to support its member companies. Such a move would ensure a continuous presence in foreign markets and help promote business growth.

The Association publishes various publications, including the “Reference Book for the Indian Machine Tool Industry” and others, to help guide its membership in understanding user sector needs and enabling them to make informed decisions.

Moving forward, IMTMA is exploring the incorporation of reliability into engineering, making it a part of its DNA to enhance the build quality of machine tools and help it remain competitive in the global market.

How does IMTMA collaborate with policymakers to ensure that India’s regulatory environment, including BIS and trade frameworks, supports smoother cross-border trade in industrial machinery?IMTMA has been organising a series of awareness programmes across the nation, with sessions held in Rajkot, Ludhiana, Pune, Bengaluru, and other locations for both IMTMA member companies and others.

The IMTMA website provides information related to technical regulations for easy access by its members, and we continually update it. IMTMA representatives are part of a subcommittee set up for the implementation of the OMNIBUS Technical Regulation (OTR 2024).

The Advanced Machine Tool Testing Facility (AMTTF), a joint project between the Government of India, IMTMA, and industry partners in Bengaluru, will play a crucial role in implementing OTR. As the implementing agency, AMTTF will assist the industry.

What are IMTMA’s current efforts in lobbying for export incentives, free trade agreements, or policy frameworks that promote Indian machinery in international markets?When it comes to free trade agreements, we insist on the country of origin to avoid dumping and protect the interests of indigenous manufacturers.

We also recommend judicious relaxation of basic customs duty for critical parts and components so that the cost of building machine tools comes down. From the top countries that we import from, we do not want any exemptions to be provided so that the interests of domestic manufacturers are protected.

When we notice the low-cost cost, high-volume imports of machines that essentially disrupt fair competition in the domestic market, the concerned authorities are alerted to take action and avoid a situation that may disrupt our domestic industry, which has the potential to manufacture such machinery. This has been broadly our policy framework.

Skill development is vital for advanced manufacturing. How is IMTMA ensuring that Indian talent is equipped to serve both domestic and global OEM needs, especially in automation and CNC technologies?
IMTMA is developing talent for advanced manufacturing by establishing world-class technology centres in Bengaluru, Pune, and Gurgaon, offering hands-on training in CNC, automation, robotics, and Industry 4.0. We also offer flexible e-learning and blended programs to achieve a broader reach and promote ongoing learning. IMTMA’s Design Institute empowers engineers with practical skills in machine tool design, CAD/CAM, and product innovation. It bridges the gap between academic learning and industry demands, nurturing design talent ready for real-world challenges.

How is IMTMA collaborating with global counterparts, such as CECIMO, AMT, or JMTBA, to develop shared platforms for knowledge exchange, joint R&D, and trade facilitation?
In every quarter, we exchange information on the machine tool outlook in respective countries. IMTMA shares information on the Indian machine tool industry outlook, as published by Gardner Intelligence’s annual World Machine Tool Survey.

During exhibitions, stakeholders from the machine tool industry meet and discuss the current status and future direction. This is particularly evident in prominent global exhibitions, such as the China International Machine Tool Exhibition, EMO, IMTS, and JIMTOF.

In exhibitions held around the globe, IMTMA participates in a country pavilion facilitated by the respective country associations. Joint arenas are organised to promote the interests of domestic and international machine tool builders, facilitating the exchange of information on the challenges and opportunities of establishing manufacturing facilities in India. We invite and encourage foreign players to establish manufacturing facilities and enter into joint ventures with Indian entities.