AIFI Launches GenNext Entrepreneurs Forum for Forging Industry

The Association of Indian Forging Industry (AIFI) launched the GenNext Entrepreneurs Forum in Mumbai on June 30, 2025, establishing a dedicated platform to develop emerging leaders in India's forging sector. The initiative represents the first forum of its kind in India, designed to empower the next generation of business leaders in family-owned forging enterprises.

The forum launch coincides with India's economy maintaining an average growth rate of 7.2 percent over the past three fiscal years, while industries rapidly adopt disruptive technologies including artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, robotics, and fintech solutions. The forging sector faces significant transformation as these technological advances reshape traditional manufacturing approaches.

AIFI designed the forum to address the evolving industrial landscape by providing young forging entrepreneurs with peer-to-peer knowledge exchange opportunities, leadership development programs, and alignment with emerging global trends and technologies. The platform will facilitate strategic sessions, academic collaborations, policy discussions, and exposure visits to innovation hubs across the industry.

"The GenNext Entrepreneurs Forum is not just a platform, it's a movement to shape the future of the Indian forging industry. Our vision is to position Indian forging as a global benchmark for innovation, quality, and sustainability. Through this forum, we aim to harness the creativity, energy, and ambition of the next generation of entrepreneurs," said Yash Munot, President of AIFI.

The initiative marked its inaugural milestone with a launch event in Hyderabad, featuring a visit to the CII-Godrej Green Business Centre, recognized as India's first LEED Platinum-certified green building. The event included a leadership workshop titled "Re-inventing Family-Owned Businesses and Shifting Orbits of Growth," conducted by innovation strategist Dr. Rahul More.

Ankit Mehta, Director of KLM Forge Private Limited in Pune, emphasized the forum's collaborative potential, stating, "In an evolving industrial landscape, collaboration and innovation are more critical than ever. AIFI GenNext Entrepreneurs Forum invites young forgers like me to actively engage with peers, exchange ideas on modern forging practices and explore the latest technologies shaping our industry."

The forum's future activities will encompass interactions with young leaders from various industries, leadership programs developed in partnership with leading academic institutions, overseas study missions, and capacity-building initiatives focused on cutting-edge technologies. These technologies include artificial intelligence, robotics, machine learning, cybersecurity, and Environmental, Social, and Governance frameworks.

Sivarjun Rachamallu, General Manager of Rachamallu Forgings Private Limited in Hyderabad, described his participation in the forum as an honor, noting that "GenNext serves as a platform for the next generation of forging professionals, where fresh perspectives meet seasoned expertise. The forum aims to drive positive transformation in the forging sector by advancing technology, promoting sustainability, and contributing to the development of progressive industry policies at the governmental level."

The GenNext Entrepreneurs Forum aligns with AIFI's broader strategic vision to establish the Indian forging industry as a global leader in manufacturing excellence, innovation, and sustainability. The association continues its commitment to sector empowerment through strategic advocacy, skill development, and collaborative growth initiatives designed to drive industry transformation on the international stage.

AIFI, established in 1965, serves as the umbrella organization for India's forging industry with more than 200 members nationwide. The association represents an industry that functions as a major growth driver for India's manufacturing sector, supplying critical components to automobile, power, and general engineering sectors. India currently holds the position as the second-largest producer of forgings globally, following China.

The forging industry produces essential components including crankshafts, connecting rods, camshafts, steering components, gear box components, axle beams, suspension parts, braking components, railway wheels, industrial valves, and pipe fittings. These products serve as vital suppliers to automotive companies and represent a critical industry segment that generates substantial employment across the manufacturing sector.