VDMA Symposium on ‘VDMA South India Meet’ Growth Opportunities in Indo-European Business Forum, was held to further strengthen cross-country industrial cooperation today at Le Meridien, Coimbatore. Organized by European Engineering & Manufacturers Federation (VDMA) India and its partners, the one-day event assembled industry leaders to reflect on India’s manufacturing trajectory, Coimbatore’s industrial DNA, and the expanding canvas of Indo-European collaboration.

Opening the session, Rajesh Nath, Managing Director, VDMA India, stated that Coimbatore was a city of tradition and innovation and explained why it is a beacon of industrial development in South India. Emphasizing India’s undergoing economic transformation, he mentioned that the growth today is tangible, stating, “It is visible in factories, infrastructure, and in the aspirations of more than 500 million young professionals and talent.” Nath pointed to the fact that newer and advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and digital twins are transforming the meaning of competitiveness, saying, “These are not incremental improvements, as they enable Indian manufacturers to compete globally on quality, speed, and customization.” He also reiterated the long-standing Indo-German alliance as an important driver of sustainable production.

Offering an entrepreneur’s lens, V Parthiban, Managing Director, Bull Machines Pvt Ltd, a well-known construction equipment vehicles producer, urged Indian companies to back their capabilities. Reflecting on early exposure to German precision standards, he said, “What was once a 40-50 micron challenge is today a completely different ball game.” Calling for global ambition, Parthiban remarked, “We underestimate ourselves. India has the talent, the technology mindset, and the ability to adopt fast.” He encouraged companies to explore Europe actively, noting the strong scope for ‘synergy’ and mutual ‘value’ creation.

Adding to the narrative, M Karthikeyan, President, Coimbatore District Small Industries Association (CODISSIA), traced the South Indian state’s rise as a manufacturing hub built without local raw-material advantages. “Coimbatore has built itself from literally zero,” he said, pointing to its dense MSME base and decades of precision manufacturing excellence. Looking ahead, he highlighted opportunities in sectors such as EVs, aerospace, defence, and semiconductors, stressing, “Innovation has always been Coimbatore’s strength, and that is what will define its future.”

Upasna Bhardwaj, Chief Economist, Kotak Mahindra Bank, providing a bird’s-eye view of the economy, shared India’s medium-term prospects which remain resilient despite challenges amidst tariff-related developments. She put emphasis on the role of employment integration, employability, and added that the demographic advantage of India must translate into overall sustainable growth. “Balancing external uncertainties with domestic resilience will be key as we look at India’s medium-term outlook,” she noted.

The combined take from the speakers amplified the shared message that Coimbatore is prepared to be the next milestone in the history of manufacturing in India, bolstered by synergy and international collaborations.