Traditional mechanical systems can be energy-intensive and prone to wear and waste, resulting in environmental drawbacks. However, implementing energy-efficient solutions can lead to environmental benefits, lower operational costs, and increased system reliability. Piyush Garg, Managing Director of Balaji Switchgears, has provided a practical guide in collaboration with Schneider Electric Solutions, highlighting the importance of sustainability and quality in power machine gears, motors, and transmission systems.

A practical guide with Schneider Electric solutions
With industries shifting toward greener, energy-efficient practices, the components of power machines, including gears, motors, and transmission systems, are evolving to meet sustainability standards.

These components are crucial in manufacturing and material handling for HVAC systems and transportation applications. Sustainable practices in this area are reducing energy consumption, increasing equipment life, and lowering environmental impact.

As a partner of Schneider Electric, Balaji Switchgears has witnessed firsthand the company’s leadership in this space. Schneider Electric’s range of innovative products empowers businesses to adopt eco-conscious systems without compromising performance.

Why does sustainability in gears, motors, and transmissions matter
Traditional mechanical systems can be energy-intensive and susceptible to wear and waste. Sustainable practices aim to improve energy efficiency, reduce material usage and waste, extend equipment life through smarter design, and facilitate maintenance and recyclability.

Incorporating these goals into the core of mechanical design will lead to environmental benefits, lower operational costs, and increased system reliability.

Energy-efficient motors
Electric motors consume a significant portion of the world’s electricity. Therefore, improving efficiency can lead to substantial energy savings.

Reference: Schneider Electric’s Altivar Process ATV600 and ATV900 series are smart variable speed drives designed to optimise motor performance while significantly reducing energy use. These drives feature real-time energy monitoring, smart control to adjust motor speed based on load, and Integration with automation systems for predictive maintenance.

These drives can reduce motor energy consumption by up to 30%, especially in pumps, compressors, fans, and other heavy-duty applications.

Gear optimisation and advanced transmission systems
Gear optimisation is vital for the efficient transfer of power. Sustainable gear systems aim to reduce friction and material loss while enhancing durability.

Sustainable practices include using surface treatments to reduce friction and extend lifespan, designing compact and modular gearboxes to minimise material waste, and opting for lubrication systems in automated gears that minimise environmental harm.

Reference: Schneider Electric’s Lexium 32 and Lexium 62 Servo Drives offer high dynamic performance while minimising energy waste. Engineered for applications that demand precision and speed—such as robotic arms, conveyor systems, and PacDrive solutions—these servo drives enhance sustainability by improving operational accuracy and optimising energy efficiency through advanced motion control.

Lightweight and recyclable materials
The use of lighter and more recyclable materials in motors, housings, and gearboxes can significantly reduce environmental impact.

• Aluminum and composite materials are being used instead of heavier metals
• Modular component design allows for easy replacement and recycling
• Design for disassembly supports circular economy practices Schneider Electric incorporates these design principles into their enclosures and motor housing systems to promote ease of recycling and reduced environmental burden at end-of-life.

Digital monitoring and predictive maintenance
Smart technology can decrease downtime and energy waste by proactively identifying potential issues before they escalate into failure.

Cloud-based solutions enable users to monitor system health in real-time, receive alerts for abnormal motor or transmission behaviour and schedule maintenance proactively, reducing the need for reactive repairs. With integrated sensors and analytics, companies can extend equipment life and avoid costly unscheduled maintenance, resulting in energy and material savings.

Reuse and recycling of components.
Sustainability doesn’t end at product design—it continues through the end-of-life phase.

Through its Environmental Data Program, Schneider Electric promotes recycling and reuse by extending the life cycle of drives and motors and designing components using technically appropriate and sustainable materials.

Their label is awarded to products that have full environmental declarations, low toxicity, and support for extended lifespan. This helps customers choose products with transparent sustainability credentials.

Smart integration and system optimisation
Efficient systems are about individual components and their interconnectedness. Companies can optimise their processes by integrating motors, drives, and gearboxes into a unified control architecture.

With Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure Automation Expert, engineers are empowered to create digital twins of their systems, enabling simulation of energy usage, optimisation of drive and motor pairing, and automation of energy management across production lines. Such holistic approaches ensure savings are maximised, and systems only operate when necessary.

The path to a more sustainable future in gears, motors, and transmission lies in making smarter and more informed choices. Companies such as Schneider Electric are helping industries transition by providing high-efficiency motors, intelligent drives, and recyclable materials with digital tools for long-term monitoring and maintenance.

Engineers, plant managers, and sustainability officers alike who adopt these practices deliver measurable benefits, including reduced energy costs, extended equipment lifespan, and a lower environmental footprint. Sustainable industrial mechanics is no longer a vision for the future; it has become a practical and effective strategy for today’s manufacturing landscape.

MSMEs have a huge market share in the manufacturing industry. To advance the entire industry, MSMEs have to bring their best game. Leaders from Electronica Finance Limited (EFL) share insights on empowering MSMEs through tailored financial solutions, which help with digital lending and strategic initiatives to drive technology adoption.

How does your flagship “Machinery Loan” product support technology upgrades and digital transformation for small and medium manufacturers?
The Machinery Loan catalyses modernisation, enabling SMEs to adopt cutting-edge manufacturing technologies, remain competitive, and scale sustainably in a digital-first economy. EFL’s “Machinery Loan,” “One Loan,” and “Machinery Leasing” products are strategically designed to support technology upgrades and digital transformation for small and medium manufacturers (SMEs). They motivate SMEs to automate and digitise. By funding the acquisition of automated and digitally integrated machines, EFL loan and lease facilities enable manufacturers to implement Industry 4.0 technologies.

SMEs can access modern equipment, enabling them to upgrade from legacy systems to state-of-the-art technologies, thereby improving productivity and efficiency. Compliance and quality also improve, as new machinery often comes with enhanced precision, consistency, and compliance with international quality standards. This is crucial for manufacturers looking to enter export markets or meet the demands of digital supply chains so that ‘Make in India’ becomes a success.

Flexible repayment terms and tailored EMIs make it easier for SMEs to adopt advanced technologies without straining their cash flow. Options for moratorium periods and collateral-free lending can lower the barrier to entry for digital transformation.

In a globally competitive environment, access to timely and flexible finance is crucial. How does EFL ensure that MSMEs can secure funds quickly for capital expenditure (capex) and working capital needs?
To thrive in a fast-paced market, MSMEs must combine smart financial planning with accessible, tech-enabled, and tailored funding options. By selecting EFL financing solutions, they ensure agility, resilience, and competitiveness on a global scale. Leveraging specialised loan products, MSMEs can access EFL specific Machinery Loans, Equipment Finance, leasing, or Term Loans specifically designed for purchasing fixed assets. Solutions like EFL Business Loans and WCDL provide working capital, offering liquidity for day-to-day operations. Digital lending apps, such as EFL Clik, and platforms like EFL Raftaarr, make it easier for MSMEs with limited collateral or formal credit history to access funding.

What support can financial institutions provide to industry players looking to serve the global market?
Finance institutions act as strategic growth partners, providing confidence, capability, and connections along with capital. Their support can bridge the gap between local manufacturing potential and global market opportunities. We at EFL provide a range of facilities to support export-related MSMEs. This includes funding under credit guarantees to facilitate access to export credit, such as the EPCG and MOOWR schemes. We help clients avail themselves of government export incentives, duty refunds, and subsidies under various schemes. Through our global network access, we introduce clients to international banks that have partnered with EFL. Additionally, we offer working capital optimisation through tailored working capital loans linked to export orders or international purchase agreements.

What trends are you observing in MSME lending in India post-COVID, and how are these impacting your product development strategy?
Post-COVID, the MSME lending landscape in India has undergone significant structural shifts driven by digital adoption, evolving borrower behaviour and proactive government support. There has been a shift toward collateral-free lending, as cash flow stress following the pandemic led to a rise in demand for unsecured loans. Government schemes, such as the CGTMSE and the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS), catalysed this trend. A greater sector-specific focus also emerged, with some industries, such as healthcare, logistics, and e-commerce sellers, showing strong resilience while others struggled. This led to the creation of sector-specific lending products. Additionally, there has been a growing need for working capital flexibility, with MSMEs demanding more flexible, just-in-time financing to manage unpredictable business cycles.

What measures are in place to help first-time borrowers or young entrepreneurs in manufacturing navigate loan processes more easily?
We have introduced several measures to simplify the loan process and reduce barriers for firsttime borrowers and young entrepreneurs in the manufacturing sector. These include dedicated MSME lending products with lower eligibility criteria and flexible terms specifically designed for first-time borrowers. We also offer flexible repayment and moratorium options to ease financial pressure during the initial stages of the loan. Additionally, we use alternative data for credit assessment, incorporating GST returns, bank transaction history, and e-invoices to evaluate creditworthiness beyond traditional credit scores.

What are your strategic goals for expanding financial inclusion among MSMEs as India positions itself as a global manufacturing hub?
We are transitioning from being a transactional lender to becoming a strategic partner in our customers’ growth. Our commitment is to help MSMEs become globally competitive with modern financial tools tailored to their needs, seamless digital connectivity for faster operations and financial agility, as well as credit strategies that support resilience and enable scaling. We’re here to support customers’ journeys by enabling export-led growth opportunities, offering financial literacy and expert advisory to help with decisionmaking, designing products that fit the unique requirements of manufacturing businesses, and making access to finance easier through collateral-free and cash-flow-based lending. Our digital platforms simplify credit access, and we’re expanding our reach to serve underserved and informal MSMEs—so that no matter where customers are in their journey, they have the support to grow stronger and go further.

Max Aerospace is set to establish a helicopter manufacturing plant in Nagpur with a ₹8,000 crore investment, expected to create 2,000 jobs and begin operations by 2026.

Max Aerospace & Aviation Private Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Maharashtra State Industries Department to establish a helicopter manufacturing plant in Nagpur, with an estimated investment of ₹8,000 crore. Operations at the plant are planned to commence in 2026.

Industries Secretary P. Anbalagan and Max Aerospace Chairman Bharat Malkani signed the Memorandum of Understanding in the presence of Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, and other senior officials.

The manufacturing facility will be built in stages within the MIHAN-SEZ (Multimodal International Cargo Hub and Airport in Nagpur). The initiative is estimated to provide around 2,000 direct and indirect job opportunities over the following eight years.

The proposed plant will cover the complete helicopter manufacturing lifecycle, including assembly, integration, and MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul) services. It intends to complement the Indian government’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ objectives by increasing indigenous aerospace capabilities.

Max Aerospace intends to include worldwide technological collaborations and advanced technologies at the Nagpur site, and support skill development while building a local aviation ecosystem.

ZETWERK Electronics begins construction of new advanced facility in Bengaluru to boost manufacturing capacity and support India’s global manufacturing goals.

ZETWERK Electronics, one of India’s top Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) businesses, has started building on its new advanced manufacturing facility in Devanahalli, Bengaluru, with a traditional bhoomi puja ritual.

This significant investment underscores ZETWERK’s commitment to India’s goal of becoming a global manufacturing powerhouse. The new facility is intended to improve the company’s manufacturing capabilities in high-growth industries such as industrials, communications, automotive, consumer durables, and key electronics.

Josh Foulger, President, ZETWERK Electronics, stated, “This investment underscores our commitment to delivering world-class manufacturing solutions from India. With Bengaluru’s strong industrial ecosystem and connectivity, we are well-positioned to serve global markets and meet international quality benchmarks.”

Rahul Sharma, Co-Founder of ZETWERK, added, “This facility significantly scales our manufacturing capacity, allowing us to offer faster, more precise, and larger-scale production. We remain focused on delivering superior value to our customers.”

The facility will serve as a critical pillar in ZETWERK’s strategy to create localised, scalable, and cost-effective infrastructure aligned with automation, sustainability, and workforce upskilling.

Zohra Khan, CEO of IPEC Project Services-India, said, “ZETWERK has consistently demonstrated precision and reliability. This facility represents a bold move toward globally competitive, innovation-driven manufacturing in India.”

This development strengthens ZETWERK’s position in the EMS sector, reinforcing its role in shaping the future of global supply chains through high-quality, sustainable, and tech-driven manufacturing.

Nvidia and Siemens have expanded their partnership to accelerate AI adoption in manufacturing, aiming to boost efficiency and enable smart factory development.

Siemens and NVIDIA have expanded their collaboration to accelerate the adoption of industrial AI and digitalisation, thereby advancing the development of the future factory. The cooperation brings together Siemens’ industrial automation experience with NVIDIA’s AI and fast computing technologies.

Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of NVIDIA, stated, “Modern manufacturers face mounting pressure to boost efficiency, enhance quality, and adapt swiftly to changing market demands. Our partnership with Siemens is bringing NVIDIA AI and accelerated computing to the world’s leading enterprises and opening new opportunities for the next wave of industrial AI.”

Roland Busch, president and CEO of Siemens AG, commented, “AI is fundamentally transforming manufacturing and infrastructure. Over the last three years, we’ve worked closely to merge AI models and high-performance computing with industrial data and domain know-how. Together, Siemens and NVIDIA are now empowering companies across every industry to unlock the scaled impact of AI in the physical world.”

Siemens Xcelerator and NVIDIA Omniverse™ joined together in 2022 to create an industrial metaverse. It now encompasses work on generative AI, industrial AI, and robotics.

Siemens integrates NVIDIA technology throughout the Xcelerator platform. The Teamcenter Digital Reality Viewer integrates real-time ray tracing into product lifecycle management, enabling businesses to visualise and interact with photorealistic digital twins.

This technology is used by HD Hyundai to develop vessels driven by hydrogen and ammonia, managing millions of components in real time and lowering design iteration time from days to hours. BMW Group and Siemens used Simcenter Star-CCM+ software with NVIDIA Blackwell GPUs and CUDA-X™ libraries to deliver 30x faster transient aerodynamics simulations.

Siemens has developed NVIDIA GPU-certified industrial PCs, which offer 24/7 industrial computing and provide a 25x acceleration in AI workloads such as robotics, inspection, and predictive maintenance.

Siemens’ Industrial Copilot for Operations utilises NVIDIA NeMo™ microservices and NVIDIA RTX PRO™ 6000 Blackwell GPUs to provide real-time AI support and reduce reactive maintenance time by 30%. The companies are also using NVIDIA BlueField® DPUs to give AI-powered cybersecurity to operational technology systems, increasing visibility and protection.

The expanded alliance seeks to facilitate the rapid and efficient deployment of AI technologies in industrial environments.

Dassault Systèmes provides virtual worlds to enhance real life with their 3DEXPERIENCE platform, which conceives innovative software solutions for 3D modelling, simulation, information intelligence, and collaboration, bringing them to life. Ravikiran Pothukuchi of Dassault Systèmes shares how their 3DEXPERIENCE platform is truly the face of smart manufacturing and driving Industry 4.0 adoption.

Dassault Systèmes has been a key player in providing innovative digital solutions to industries. How do platforms like CATIA, DELMIA, and ENOVIA integrate into smart manufacturing ecosystems and support product lifecycle management?
Dassault Systèmes’ CATIA, DELMIA, and ENOVIA applications are integral to the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, enabling smart manufacturing and effective product lifecycle management. CATIA is used for product design and engineering, supporting everything from conceptual development to detailed modelling. It supports model-based systems engineering and simulation-driven design, ensuring that products are optimised for performance and manufacturability. CATIA integrates with DELMIA to validate designs that can be efficiently produced within real-world manufacturing constraints.

DELMIA focuses on three key aspects of manufacturing. DELMIA’s Digital Manufacturing (DM) applications allow manufacturers to simulate, plan, and optimise production processes before implementation. It supports virtual commissioning and real-time monitoring, utilising IoT and analytics to enhance efficiency. DELMIA DM aligns engineering designs and manufacturing processes, managing manufacturing bills of materials (MBOMs) and process plans to maintain consistency and traceability. DELMIA’s Planning & Optimisation Apps help organisations to carry out their Enterprise Business Planning (S&OP, APS) from Demand to Distribution with a rich and powerful optimisation engine. Finally, DELMIA’s Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM) Applications monitor shop floor execution in real-time to maintain traceability, genealogy, quality, and maintenance.

ENOVIA is collaborative and manages data. It manages product data, configurations, and project timelines while supporting change management, compliance tracking, and lifecycle governance. ENOVIA enables cross-functional collaboration and ensures that stakeholders are aligned throughout the product lifecycle. In short, ENOVIA is an Enterprise IP & Knowledge management platform powered by NETVIBES’ powerful Analytics engine to provide insights into every facet of the Product Lifecycle.

How does Dassault Systèmes help manufacturers adopt Industry 4.0 technologies such as AI, IoT, and cloud computing to drive automation and data-driven decision-making? Is the same approach followed for MSMEs?
We support manufacturers through our unified 3DEXPERIENCE platform, a digital foundation for smart manufacturing. The platform is available on the cloud, making it accessible and scalable for companies of all sizes. This cloud-based approach eliminates the need for heavy IT infrastructure, enabling real-time collaboration, streamlined deployment, and integration across global operations. For manufacturers, especially MSMEs, this reduces upfront costs and simplifies the adoption of advanced technologies. AI is embedded throughout our solutions to enhance automation and data-driven decision-making.

For MSMEs, we focus on accessibility and scalability. We offer modular, industry-specific applications and subscription-based pricing models, allowing smaller firms to adopt only the tools they need. Additionally, we collaborate with local partners and innovation hubs to provide training, support, and implementation services, helping MSMEs overcome barriers to digital transformation. This democratised approach ensures that even small manufacturers can leverage Industry 4.0 technologies to enhance productivity, agility, and competitiveness in a rapidly evolving industrial landscape.

As global supply chains face disruptions, how do your platforms help manufacturers enhance supply chain resilience, particularly in managing complex supplier networks?
Our platforms help manufacturers strengthen supply chain resilience by using virtual twin technology to anticipate and respond to disruptions. With AI-driven part standardisation, companies can quickly identify alternative components and suppliers, reducing dependency on single sources. Virtual twins of factory systems perform real-time simulations and reschedule operations, ensuring agility in the face of unforeseen disruptions. This is critical in regulated sectors, such as aerospace, where export controls and localisation policies influence sourcing. The 3DEXPERIENCE platform enhances visibility, collaboration, and adaptability across complex supplier networks, keeping production on track and businesses future-ready.

Dassault Systèmes helps manufacturers enhance supply chain resilience, particularly in managing complex supplier networks, through its integrated 3DEXPERIENCE platform. This platform offers end-to-end visibility, collaboration, and risk management tools.

The platform enables companies to create virtual twins of their supply chains, allowing them to simulate disruptions, evaluate alternative sourcing strategies, and optimise logistics in real time. It supports multi-tier supplier mapping, helping businesses understand dependencies and vulnerabilities across their entire network, not just direct suppliers.

With built-in AI and analytics, manufacturers can forecast demand more accurately, monitor supplier performance, and identify early warning signs of potential disruptions. The platform also facilitates collaborative planning across global teams and suppliers, ensuring faster response and recovery during crises.

As automation advances rapidly and generates vast amounts of data, how do your solutions incorporate feedback mechanisms to strengthen and ensure cybersecurity?
As automation advances and connected systems generate vast volumes of data, we ensure cybersecurity through a layered approach embedded within the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. The platform is designed with secure-by-design principles, incorporating continuous feedback loops from user behaviour, system performance, and threat intelligence.

Real-time data monitoring and analytics enable the early detection of anomalies, while built-in feedback mechanisms help identify vulnerabilities and dynamically adapt security protocols. Role-based access control, data encryption, and traceability ensure that sensitive IP and operational data remain protected across the product lifecycle.

We also collaborate with industry partners and government frameworks to align with evolving global cybersecurity standards. With increasing cyber risks, particularly in the manufacturing and critical infrastructure sectors, the 3DEXPERIENCE platform enables customers to proactively manage threats, maintain operational continuity, and build resilience as digital transformation advances.

As automation scales and industrial systems become more connected, the need for built-in, adaptive cybersecurity is critical. Dassault Systèmes addresses this by embedding continuous feedback mechanisms into its 3DEXPERIENCE platform, enabling the monitoring, detection, and real-time response to threats.

The platform enables secure collaboration across design, engineering, and manufacturing by enforcing role-based access, encrypted data exchange, and end-to-end traceability. Feedback loops from user activity, system performance, and threat patterns help continuously refine security protocols and respond to anomalies swiftly. These insights inform policy adjustments, vulnerability patching, and risk-based access controls, thereby creating a self-improving defence framework.

By integrating cybersecurity as a core part of its platform architecture rather than treating it as an add-on, Dassault Systèmes ensures that enterprises can scale automation and data-driven innovation securely, even in highly regulated industries such as aerospace, defence, and life sciences.

DGT and Shell India launch EV training program to equip youth with green skills and job-ready certifications.

The Directorate General of Training (DGT) of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), in partnership with Shell India, has developed a Green Skills and Electric Vehicles (EV) training program. Edunet Foundation will implement the programme in chosen Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) throughout Delhi-NCR, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.

The curriculum uses an organised, multi-tiered training model:

• A 240-hour advanced EV technician course at four NSTIs.
• A 90-hour job-focused EV skills course at 12 ITIs with Shell-supported laboratories
• A 50-hour basic green skills module at other ITIs without physical laboratories.

The course covers EV systems, diagnostics, battery technologies, digital tools, and safety standards. A specific Training of Trainers (ToT) programme will upskill more than 250 trainers. Shell and DGT will co-brand the certification and provide placement assistance to participants. Aligned with India’s net-zero goals and EV policies, the programme addresses the rising demand for skilled green mobility professionals.

Specialised EV skill laboratories will be developed at selected ITIs and NSTIs to give hands-on training by industry standards.

Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge), MSDE, and Minister of State for Education, said, “Our collaboration with Shell India reflects the government’s deeper commitment to aligning skilling with sustainability. Green energy, electric mobility, and the broader climate transition are not just environmental imperatives—they represent a generational opportunity for India to lead through innovation, talent, and enterprise. This initiative is part of our larger vision to create a workforce that is not only job-ready but also climate-ready.”

Smt Trishaljit Sethi, Director General, DGT, MSDE, stated, “This partnership with Shell India is a focused step in bringing cutting-edge training infrastructure and industry-relevant curriculum into our ITIs and NSTIs. By integrating electric vehicle technologies into vocational training, we are ensuring that our students gain hands-on experience aligned with real-world demand. With joint certification, trainer upskilling, and placement support built into the programme, this initiative will significantly strengthen the employability of our youth in the green mobility sector.”

Mansi Madan Tripathy, Chairperson, Shell Group of Companies in India & Senior Vice President, Shell Lubricants, Asia-Pacific, stated, “At Shell, we aim to support local communities by enabling future employment opportunities. Equipping youth with green energy skills is an important step towards building a lower-carbon future. Through our collaboration with DGT and Edunet Foundation, we are providing students with practical and future-ready expertise in green energy and electric mobility. This initiative empowers young people to thrive in an evolving energy landscape and contribute towards India’s net-zero ambitions.”

The DGT–Shell India initiative equips youth with green skills and certifications to boost employability in a sustainable economy.

Schneider Electric, with Microsoft, introduces an AI copilot to boost industrial automation through smarter, faster, and more efficient operations.

Schneider Electric introduced next-generation Industrial Copilot, developed in partnership with Microsoft. This generative AI-powered assistant is intended to improve open automation ecosystems by increasing operational efficiency, flexibility, and intelligence across several industries.

The Copilot is integrated into Schneider Electric’s open, software-defined automation environment, the EcoStruxure Automation Expert Platform. It simplifies engineering procedures, accelerates application deployment, and facilitates collaboration. It reduces the number of repeated operations, streamlines application development, and speeds up the delivery of high-quality solutions to market.

The AI assistant makes real-time advice, facilitates predictive maintenance, allows for fast troubleshooting, and combines data for better decision-making. These features reduce machine downtime, decrease manual labour, and lower operational expenses.

Arvind Kakru, VP, Industrial Automation, Schneider Electric India, stated, “India’s manufacturing sector is rapidly evolving, demanding greater flexibility and efficiency, and Open Automation plays a pivotal role in achieving this goal. Our AI Copilot, developed with Microsoft and building on our deep domain expertise, doesn’t just operate within an open ecosystem – it strengthens it. It simplifies engineering, accelerates deployment, and empowers teams to do more with less, all while reinforcing the core values of openness, modularity, and collaboration.”

The EcoStruxure Automation Expert Platform is designed to function smoothly with various hardware and software platforms. The Copilot connection improves real-time data access, allowing engineers, operators, and AI systems to respond faster and more accurately, as well as coordinate better.

Ransomware’s attacks are no longer just targeting data centers and banks—they’re aiming to freeze entire supply chains. From order management to transport coordination, no system is off-limits.

In the daily course of work and associated cyberthreat awareness activities, we often picture cyberattacks targeting data centres, banks, or tech firms.

What’s often overlooked, however, is the growing vulnerability of the logistics and manufacturing ecosystem in today’s hyperconnected world. Ransomware actors are no longer focused solely on financial institutions or technology giants. Increasingly, they are attacking ERP systems, inventory management platforms, transport coordination software, and similar systems that form the backbone of an organisation’s supply chain. When targeted, cyberattacks on these services can halt operations entirely and hold them to ransom—pun intended.

From the moment raw materials are ordered to the time finished goods reach store shelves, each step relies on connected systems. This connectivity, while a key enabler, has also become a critical weakness.

The shift in attacker focus is not unexpected. Supply chains present a high-impact opportunity. When a manufacturer is unable to dispatch goods or a logistics provider loses control over routing and scheduling, the consequences are swift and expensive. Attackers understand that the urgency of such disruptions increases the likelihood of ransom payments, positioning the sector as an increasingly attractive target.

In May 2025, UK logistics firm Peter Green Chilled experienced a ransomware attack that disrupted operations and revealed weaknesses in the food supply chain. The company, which supplies Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Aldi, had to pause order processing, placing thousands of food items at risk of spoilage and financial loss. The incident underscores a shift in cybercriminal tactics—from data theft to operational disruption. Threat actors are now focusing on time-sensitive sectors like food logistics, where even brief delays can be damaging. This attack, along with others affecting Marks & Spencer and Co-op, highlights the urgent need for stronger cybersecurity and greater supply chain resilience. Ransomware groups are no longer just targeting files—they are aiming to paralyse entire supply chains.

When it comes to securing supply chains, it’s important to recognise their complexity. They involve numerous stakeholders, including vendors, transporters, warehouses, and technology providers. All of these parties are digitally connected, but not all enforce cybersecurity standards as rigorously as the organisation itself. Attackers often exploit this disparity.

Frequently, cybercriminals don’t target the main manufacturer directly. This may be because the primary target is better protected and more difficult to breach. Instead, attackers look for quicker access by compromising smaller vendors or associates with weaker defences, using them as entry points. Many of these smaller entities rely on outdated software or systems that have gone without updates for years. These legacy systems were never built to defend against today’s sophisticated cyber threats. As a result, attackers can gain access and lock down critical systems—be it order management, warehouse control, customer databases, or all of the above.

Such incidents are no longer uncommon. They are becoming a routine challenge in manufacturing and logistics. Even short periods of downtime can result in weeks of backlog, especially in environments where schedules are tight and profit margins narrow—not to mention the reputational damage and erosion of consumer trust.

To defend effectively against supply chain attacks, begin by mapping your digital supply chain. Identify where your operations depend on third-party digital services such as fleet management, warehouse automation, or vendor coordination. Every endpoint should be seen as a possible risk vector.

Next, adopt Zero Trust principles. Practices like identity verification, least privilege access, and network segmentation must be embedded into the culture from the moment a new third-party associate is onboarded. This ensures that, even if part of the infrastructure is compromised, the damage can be contained.

Real-time monitoring and swift incident response are also critical. Delays in identifying and reacting to breaches can magnify the damage. Continuous monitoring and a clearly defined response protocol for ransomware incidents—covering prevention through to mitigation—are essential.

Equal emphasis should be placed on robust backups and continuity planning. Regularly test backups and recovery mechanisms to prevent unexpected failures. Store critical configurations in isolated environments for added protection.

Finally, focus on employee education and maintain ongoing awareness. Through refresher courses and targeted training efforts, instil a culture of cybersecurity consciousness across your workforce. Every staff member must understand their role in maintaining daily cyber hygiene. Training those directly involved in the supply chain is just as vital as addressing technical vulnerabilities.

Manufacturing and logistics organisations must treat cybersecurity as an integral part of operational safety. Just as you wouldn’t allow faulty machinery on the floor, you shouldn’t tolerate insecure digital systems in your network. This mindset must be adopted across the entire organisation and its supply chain—not confined to the IT department.

Authored by Binoy Koonammavu, Founder & CEO of ValueMentor

 

Yash Dynamics Pvt Ltd, based in Dehradun, is India’s pi​oneering PTFE extruded tube manufacturer using advanced vertical paste extrusion technology. It delivers high-performance, ISO-compliant solutions for diverse industrial and medical applications.

Yash Dynamics Private Limited is an Indian-origin fluoropolymer processing company specializing in the manufacturing of superior quality PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) tubes using advanced vertical paste extrusion technology. With a strong commitment to innovation and quality, the company is steadily establishing its presence in the Indian fluoropolymer industry, focusing specifically on PTFE extruded tubing.

Located in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, Yash Dynamics operates a dedicated manufacturing facility spanning 25,000 sq. ft., equipped with advanced vertical paste extrusion machines and a fully functional in-house quality assurance laboratory. This facility enables the company to deliver consistent, high-performance PTFE tubes tailored to the exact needs of diverse industries.

Yash Dynamics is the first in India to acquire technical knowledge for PTFE vertical paste extrusion technology from the country’s only fluoropolymer manufacturing conglomerate. This unique expertise ensures that all products comply with stringent international standards such as ISO, ASTM, and DIN. Through reverse engineering and rigorous in-house testing, the company guarantees that its tubes meet exacting quality parameters.

Mission

Yash Dynamics aims to empower its clients and partners by providing premium Make-in-India PTFE tubes delivered promptly to their doorsteps. The company is committed to building long-term relationships based on trust, integrity, and mutual respect, with collective growth and success.

Core Advantages

• Premium Quality Materials

The PTFE tubes are manufactured using high-grade raw materials to ensure reliable performance even in extreme industrial conditions.

• Advanced Engineering Precision

With state-of-the-art extrusion technology and strict quality controls, Yash Dynamics ensures smooth finishes, precise dimensions, and tight tolerances.

• ISO-Compliant Operations

Company processes are aligned with ISO standards, and every team member contributes to maintaining consistent manufacturing quality.

• Expert Technical Support

A dedicated team of engineers and technical specialists offer valuable guidance throughout product development and manufacturing stages.

• Customer-Focused Approach

Yash Dynamics works closely with clients to deliver personalised solutions and seamless service from inquiry to final delivery.

• Fast Turnaround Times

With domestic production capabilities and streamlined logistics, the company can meet urgent project requirements efficiently.

Quality

Quality plays a central role in Yash Dynamics’ operations. Every product batch undergoes rigorous inspection and testing to ensure compliance with both domestic and international standards. The company’s in-house testing laboratory verifies technical specifications and certifies each shipment before dispatch.

Application Segments

• Medical Devices

PTFE tubes manufactured by Yash Dynamics offer excellent torque control, pushability, and lubricity. Their rigid substructure helps prevent kinking and supports high-pressure applications in minimally invasive procedures.

• Chemical Industry

PTFE’s chemical inertness and durability make it an ideal substitute for glass in aggressive chemical environments, offering long-term reliability and performance.

• Electrical & Electronics

PTFE is widely used for insulating high-voltage cables and components, ensuring safety and performance.

• Automotive Applications

PTFE tubing is suitable for fluid transfer systems, fuel lines, cable insulations, and mechanical control cables due to its lowest friction properties, broad temperature range (-270°C to +260°C) and excellent mechanical strength.

• 3D Printing Technology

In 3D printers, PTFE tubing guides filament smoothly through Bowden extruders, effectively handling high nozzle temperatures while reducing friction.