The Future Factory Forum, Chennai, held on 25th September 2025 at Taj Wellington Mews, marked a breakthrough moment for India’s manufacturing landscape. Organised by Small Enterprise India in association with K-Tech CoE Data Science & AI – NASSCOM and Madras Chamber MCCI, the event brought together 120+ SME leaders, 20 expert speakers, and 45+ curated B2B meetings with some of the country’s most innovative technology startups.
A heartfelt thank you to every attendee, our eminent speakers, and dedicated partners — your presence, insights, and support made this event not just possible, but a resounding success!
The atmosphere was electric, the conversations intense, and the message loud and clear — “Digitise or Disappear.” As the world rapidly advances towards smart manufacturing, Indian SMEs can no longer afford to stay behind. The Future Factory Forum served not just as a conference, but as a call to arms, urging small and medium manufacturing enterprises to embrace AI, Automation, Robotics, and Industry 4.0 tools — not as an option, but as a means of survival and global competitiveness.
A Vision for the Future — From Manual to Autonomous
One of the most thought-provoking discussions revolved around the concept of the “Dark Factory” — fully automated units where production runs without human intervention, and lights are not even required. What seemed like science fiction a few years ago is now an achievable reality. However, as many speakers emphasised, India’s SMEs must move fast to catch up, or risk obsolescence.
The event kicked off with a powerful Chief Guest Address by Viswanathan A, VP of MCCI & President of Delphi TVS, who emphasised the urgent need for digital resilience and future-ready manufacturing ecosystems.
Knowledge-Packed Sessions & Real-World Playbooks for SMEs
The line-up of sessions ensured that every attendee left with actionable insights, not just inspiration. Highlights included:
- The Future of Digital Innovation – Senthil Kumar R, Nasscom CoE–IoT & AI
- Sustainability & Green Manufacturing – Anju Mary K, Danfoss Group
- Industry 4.0 / Digital Transformation: A Practitioner’s Guide – Sherry Thomas, Gadgeon Systems Inc.
- Robotic Automation: Scalable Solutions for Every Business Size – Sumana Mandal, IgnoMagine
- Right Technology Adaptation for Business Growth – Murugappan Ramanathan, Tally Solutions Pvt Ltd
What set this forum apart was not just the vision — but the practicality. Every speaker shared real deployment models, cost-effective strategies, and ROI frameworks tailored specifically for Indian SMEs.
High-Impact Panel Discussions — Conversations That Matter
Panel 1: Digitise or Disappear – The Urgent Need for Digital Transformation in Indian SME Manufacturing
This high-energy panel delivered a powerful wake-up call to SME manufacturers who continue to delay technology adoption. Moderated by Vittal Raj R (Pristine Consulting), the discussion unfolded with hard-hitting truths: automation is no longer a luxury — it’s a survival strategy.
Jitendra Purohit (Daten & Wissen) spoke about how AI-driven video analytics and safety monitoring are helping manufacturing floors optimise efficiency without massive investments. Sherry Thomas (Gadgeon Systems) highlighted real-world examples of affordable Industry 4.0 implementations that delivered measurable ROI within weeks. Rangarajan (Ranga) Sriraman (Spearhead Leaders LLP) emphasised the cultural barriers within SMEs, noting that digital change often fails not because of technology, but because of resistance to change. Tej Pochiraju, PhD, an IoT evangelist, made a strong case for IoT as the backbone of modern manufacturing, stressing that even basic machine monitoring can reduce downtime by 30–40%.
The unified message – Don’t wait for your competitors or customers to force change. Digitise now or face irrelevance. The audience walked away not just informed, but urged to act.
Panel 2: Future-Proofing Indian Manufacturing – Skills, Tools & Strategies for SME Growth
If the first panel was about urgency, this one was about preparedness. Moderated by Krishnan Sankaran (Kenspire Advisors), the panel explored how SMEs can practically prepare for a tech-driven future without overwhelming their teams or budgets.
Sumana Mandal (IgnoMagine) shared examples of how collaborative robotics and AI-powered intralogistics are transforming chaotic shop floors into intelligent, semi-autonomous environments. Velmaran S (PMCGS Pvt Ltd) stressed that technology alone cannot scale unless people are empowered with the right skills and mindset. He stressed the importance of structured training, government-supported skilling programs, and internal ownership of digital initiatives. Prof Sridhar Narayanan added a compelling layer to the discussion by stressing that digital tools alone cannot drive transformation — they must be backed by strong management strategy and leadership commitment. He emphasised that SME owners must treat digital adoption as a boardroom priority, not an IT upgrade, aligning every investment with long-term business goals.
The panel concluded with an optimistic outlook, Indian SMEs don’t need to replicate global giants; they can leapfrog using modular, scalable systems. The right blend of skills, tools, and leadership intent will determine who thrives in the next decade of manufacturing.
Ashok Lakshmichandran, in his session “From Machines to Intelligence: Unlocking SME Growth with Industrial IoT,” brilliantly showcased how SMEs can move beyond mere automation to data-driven decision-making, proving that even legacy machines can become intelligent assets with the right IoT integration. Savitha Kesav Jagadeesan in her insightful session on “Legal & Cybersecurity Compliance: Safeguarding MSMEs in Digital Manufacturing,” reminded manufacturers that digital growth without legal and data protection frameworks is a ticking time bomb, urging SMEs to treat cybersecurity as seriously as machinery maintenance. Dr.Alagiri Govindasamy , in his session “Smart Automation & Industry 4.0: Low-Cost Integration for SMEs,” reinforced that automation doesn’t have to be expensive — even incremental, modular upgrades can deliver high impact when aligned with real shop-floor challenges.
Enabling Transformation Through Partnerships
A special thanks goes to our Digital Transformation Partners who powered this mission with their cutting-edge innovations:
- Tally Solutions Pvt Ltd
- Gadgeon Systems Inc.
- Quoqo
- Daten & Wissen
- Enlightened Machines
- IoTReady.co
- Gyrfalcon IntelliEdge Solutions India Pvt Ltd
Their presence enabled 45+ curated B2B meetings, where SMEs discussed real problems and real solutions, turning conversations into collaborations.
Driving Impactful Connections: Curated One-to-One SME-Startup Meetings at The Future Factory Summit
The One-to-One curated meetings alongside The Future Factory Summit facilitated impactful exchanges between SMEs and startups. Over 45 focused interactions took place, enabling SMEs to gain deeper clarity on the solutions they truly needed. These personalized discussions fostered meaningful connections and practical insights, driving tangible value for all participants.
In her closing address, Saraswathi K, General Secretary, MCCI, applauded the initiative and remarked that “events like these are not just conferences — they are catalysts for shaping the future of Indian manufacturing. The momentum we’ve seen today must translate into action at every factory floor.”
Tapasya Ravishankar, Director & Co-Founder, Aspire Aeonian LLP (The Future Factory Frum Organisers), concluded the day with a heartfelt vote of thanks, expressing, “This forum is only the beginning. Together, we will continue to empower SMEs with knowledge, connections, and the confidence to embrace transformation.” She gracefully acknowledged all speakers, partners, and delegates for making the event a resounding success.
A Movement, Not Just an Event
As many attendees shared — “This is not just a conference. It’s a movement to build future-ready factories across India.”
From inspiration to execution, the Future Factory Forum Chennai delivered on all fronts. Ideas were planted, partnerships were forged, and transformation was set into motion.
The journey has just begun.
Relive the energy! Click here to view the unforgettable moments and powerful connections that made this event truly transformational.