Coimbatore foundry hub logs 20% growth, faces skilled manpower crunch

The foundry industry in Coimbatore, a city long known for its engineering and manufacturing base, has recorded a 20 per cent growth over the past year. This expansion comes on the back of robust orders from the automotive, farm equipment, and general engineering sectors, making the industrial hub one of the brighter spots in the region's economy.

Jayakumar Ramdass, chairman of the Inter Foundry and Inter DieCast event and Managing Director of Mahendra Pumps' Foundry Division, said the industry is currently performing well. Coimbatore accounts for 1.5 million tonnes of the country's annual casting production of 15 million tonnes, with an estimated value of ₹25,000 crore. The region exports castings worth around ₹10,000 crore each year.

Speaking about the industry's trajectory, Mr. Ramdass emphasised the need to increase Coimbatore's share in the global market. “We need to increase Coimbatore's share in the global market,” he said on Tuesday.

One of the notable trends in the region is the increasing value addition. Nearly 65 per cent of castings sold from Coimbatore are machined, meaning they undergo further processing before being dispatched. This reflects a shift towards higher-value production rather than only raw castings.

Most foundries in the region are operating at over 90 per cent capacity utilisation, and according to Mr. Ramdass, demand currently outstrips supply. However, the industry faces a significant constraint: the scarcity of skilled manpower. This shortage has prompted foundries to invest in automation, modern technologies, and digital tools to enhance productivity and conform to international standards.

The challenges and opportunities of the sector will be on display at the third edition of the Inter Foundry and Inter DieCast exhibition. The event, which showcases technologies for the ferrous and non-ferrous foundry industry, is scheduled to be held at the CODISSIA Trade Fair Complex in Coimbatore from September 10 to 12. Organised by the Foundries Development Foundation (FDF) and VA Exhibitions, it will feature 315 exhibitors from India and abroad.

Among the overseas exhibitors, 23 companies are from China, five from Germany, and four from Italy. The organisers expect more than 10,000 visitors over the three days.

A new addition this year is a segment called 'Cast Zone', where 25 FDF member companies will showcase their castings. This part of the exhibition is open only to registered buyers. So far, 60 overseas buyers have confirmed their participation, according to Mr. Ramdass.

The exhibition will also host conferences addressing key issues confronting the Indian foundry sector. These include strengthening India's position as a global supply base for ferrous and non-ferrous castings and managing business transitions in foundries—covering succession, scaling up, and compliance. A panel discussion on magnesium die casting is also planned, as mentioned in a press release from the organisers.

The growth recorded by Coimbatore's foundry industry reflects broader trends in India's manufacturing sector. While demand is strong, the need for skilled workers and technological upgradation remains critical. The industry's shift towards automation and higher value addition will likely determine its competitiveness in global markets.