Top industry leaders were felicitated with special awards at the 9th Annual Manufacturing Today Conference & Awards 2021 held virtually on Sept 17.
The glittering award ceremony was preceded by three power-packed panel discussions which saw over 30 speakers from different verticals discussing some of key issues of the manufacturing industry.
Industry veteran Baba Kalyani, who is a recipient of multiple prestigious awards including Padma Bhushan, was conferred with the Life Time Achievement Award for his immense contribution to the industry.
Thanking the Manufacturing Today for recognising his efforts, Baba N Kalyani, Chairman & MD, Bharat Forge Ltd, said, “I am honoured and humbled to accept this Lifetime Achievement Award at the 9th Annual Manufacturing Today Conference. I would like to thank the global editorial board of ITP for granting me this award and an opportunity to address you all.”
Harsh Goenka, chairman of RPG Enterprises, who was inducted in the Hall of Fame of Manufacturing Today Awards spoke of “customer experience, digital initiatives and smart and sustainable manufacturing across the entire spectrum of production processes” which, he said, will hold the key if India can truly become the manufacturing hub of the world.
“Manufacturing has always been India’s mainstay since the turn of the last century. Yet it is today, more than ever, that manufacturing holds the key to unlocking the nation’s true potential-both as a generator of employment and as a major contributor to the GDP,” said Goenka.
He further added that all manufacturers, irrespective of size and scale, will have to commit to increasing efficiency in operations and scale so that “we remain globally competitive”.
Industry stalwarts appreciated the efforts of Manufacturing Today to recognise the achievements of companies and individuals through a credible and transparent selection process.
“I would like to thank Manufacturing Today India for the Next Generation Leader of the Year Award given to me. It comes at a great time as Kinetic celebrates its 50th anniversary,” said Ajinkya Firodia, MD, Kinetic Engineering Limited.
Amit Kalyani, Deputy MD, Bharat Forge Ltd, who was also conferred with Next Generation Leader of the Year Awards, said, “I am most grateful and honoured to accept the Next Generation Leader Award by the ITP editorial board at the 9th Annual Manufacturing Today Conference. It is a great honour to be counted amongst such distinguished ranks as the past leaders.”
The Entrepreneur of the Year Award went to Jeetender Sharma, MD & Founder of Okinawa Autotech. Thanking Manufacturing Today for conferring him with this prestigious award, he said, “I am highly delighted and honoured to receive the Entrepreneur Of The Year Award. I am grateful to the Manufacturing Today magazine’s members of the award panel for honouring me with this wonderful award.”
The 9th Annual Manufacturing Today Conference & Awards 2021 received overwhelming response from some of the leading large and SME companies, with close to 400 nominations coming from more than 30 cities across the country.
Besides these special awardees, 28 other winners were facilitated under various categories at the 9th Annual Manufacturing Today Awards & Conference 2021.
Some of the leading companies which fought for these prestigious awards include Hyundai Motors, Kirloskar Brothers, Dalmia Cement (Bharat), SKF India, Cummins Turbo Technologies, JK Tyre & Industries, Blue Star, L&T Construction Equipment, Bharat Electronics, Whirlpool of India, Bosch, Bridgestone India, RSB Transmissions, Jindal Stainless, Lupin, Walter Tools, Continental Automotive Components (India), Henkel Adhesives Technologies India and Panasonic India.