“India’s future competitiveness in dies and moulds will depend heavily on skilled technicians and engineers, application knowledge, industry–academia collaboration, and continuous upskilling in digital manufacturing tools,” says Dhiruj Sarda, Director, East Coast Magnets Private Limited. This interview was taken for DMI 2026.
What key trends, challenges, or growth opportunities do you see in the Indian Die and Mould Industry today, and how might they evolve by 2026?
India’s die and mould industry is at an inflection point, where demand is rising rapidly alongside expectations for precision, repeatability, and digital integration. Key trends include increasing adoption of automation and smart manufacturing, growing focus on magnetic workholding and clamping solutions for precision machining, integration of sensing technologies and data analytics into tooling processes, and rising need for demagnetisation solutions due to high-alloy steels and complex machining cycles.
Challenges persist in skilled manpower availability, consistency of quality across supply chains, and adoption speed of advanced technologies. However, with India’s manufacturing push, these challenges are gradually turning into opportunities.
Which sectors (e.g., Automotive, EVs, Aerospace, Medical, Defence etc.) are driving demand for Dies and Moulds, and what opportunities do they present for the industry?
Automotive continues to be a major driver, but the EV transition is creating entirely new tooling requirements which include lightweight components, complex geometries, and new materials. Aerospace and defence demand extremely high precision tooling, while medical manufacturing requires stringent quality and traceability. These sectors are pushing Indian toolmakers toward higher sophistication and global competitiveness.
For companies like ours, this translates into demand for advanced magnetic clamping, ultra-precision demagnetisation, and intelligent sensing solutions that ensure machining accuracy without compromising productivity.
How is India’s manufacturing push (e.g., Make in India, China+1) impacting the Die and Mould sector overall?
The global China+1 shift has significantly improved visibility for Indian tooling companies. Combined with Make in India initiatives, this is encouraging local capability building, technology investments, and export opportunities. However, long-term success will depend not just on cost competitiveness but on technological leadership, reliability, and innovation.
At our organisation, we have consciously committed close to 3% of our gross revenue towards R&D, consistently investing in developing and patenting indigenous technologies particularly in areas like magnetic flux sensing, intelligent clamping, and advanced demagnetisation solutions because sustainable global competitiveness will come from innovation rather than price alone.
What innovations or technologies (e.g., additive manufacturing, automation, AI, simulations) are shaping the competitiveness of the die and mould industry?
Technology integration is the biggest differentiator today. At our end, we have been working for several years on magnetic flux sensing technology, for which we hold multiple patents. These systems are already integrated into lifting magnets and injection moulding magnetic clamping solutions. Our current R&D focus involves combining advanced sensing algorithms, AI-assisted data interpretation, and real-time contact detection of tools and moulds.
The objective is to create the next generation intelligent magnetic clamping system one that can evaluate contact area, predict holding capability, and provide operator guidance on safe clamping torque depending on the tooling configuration. This is where AI moves from hype to real industrial value.
What role do initiatives like precision manufacturing and talent development play in expanding the Die and Mould industry into new markets?
Precision manufacturing is not just about machines; it is about people, processes, and culture. India’s future competitiveness in dies and moulds will depend heavily on skilled technicians and engineers, application knowledge, industry–academia collaboration, and continuous upskilling in digital manufacturing tools. Investments in training and exposure will open new export markets for Indian tooling companies.
How has participating in past DMI exhibitions contributed to growth, networking, or collaborations within the tooling ecosystem?
Participation in earlier DMI exhibitions has helped us build strong relationships with toolmakers, machine builders, and OEMs. These interactions have directly led to collaborative product development, adoption of magnetic clamping solutions in new applications, and greater awareness about demagnetisation challenges in die and mould manufacturing. Networking at DMI is often more valuable than immediate business, it shapes long-term partnerships.
What makes DMI 2026 a valuable platform for the Die and Mould industry to showcase its strengths to domestic or global customers?
DMI provides Indian companies an opportunity to demonstrate technological maturity to global customers. India is no longer just a cost-competitive destination; it is becoming a technology contributor. Platforms like DMI help communicate this shift effectively.
What products, technologies, or launches are you planning to showcase at DMI 2026, and why are they significant for the industry?
We will be showcasing several solutions specifically developed for the die and mould industry:
- Intelligent Magnetic Clamping Systems (AI-Assisted Flux Sensing):
These systems monitor magnetic flux distribution, detect contact conditions, and guide safe clamping parameters improving safety, repeatability, and precision in injection moulding and machining applications. - Die & Mould Series Demagnetisers:
High-alloy steels used in dies often retain residual magnetism after machining or lifting. Our specialised demagnetisers ensure near-complete demagnetisation, improving surface finish, machining stability, and tool life. - Next-Generation Inline Demagnetisation Systems:
Designed for large components and automated production environments, enabling consistent demagnetisation without interrupting workflow. - Magnetic Workholding Solutions for EDM and Precision Machining:
These provide extremely low deflection during magnet ON/OFF cycles, ensuring accuracy and eliminating distortion of job orientation—critical for EDM and high-precision tooling operations.
These developments reflect our broader focus on combining magnetics, sensing technology, and intelligent automation to support the future of tooling manufacturing.
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