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C4i4 Pune: Taking MSMEs to Industry 4.0

1. Introduction

The Centre for Industry 4.0 (C4i4), Pune, launched in December 2017, functioning under the aegis of the Make in India programme, is an organisation that aims to drive Industry 4.0 adoption in MSMEs (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises), by providing a roadmap for digital transformation through consultancy services and skill development. This centre at Pune is part of a larger network, SAMARTH (Smart Automated Manufacturing and Rapid Transformation Hub) Udyog, which is a national initiative by the Department of Heavy Industries, Government of India. Apart from C4i4 Pune, the SAMARTH Udyog network comprises of four other centres across the country. These are located at IIT Delhi, IISc Bangalore, CMTI Bangalore and IIT Kharagpur. Each centre works on unique aspects of the Industry 4.0 ecosystem.

C4i4 Pune, specifically, promotes adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies through (1) various awareness and training programs, (2) technology demonstrations and (3) industry and academia collaborations; all aimed at handholding Indian manufacturing companies for subsequent implementation of Industry 4.0 technologies. It operates on a PPP (Public Private Partnership) model with approximately 75% funding from the government.

Industry 4.0 Readiness Assessment: A ‘Joint Industry Survey’ was undertaken by C4i4 and the Department of Heavy Industries (DHI) in collaboration with the Tata Strategy Management Group. The report recommended focussing Industry 4.0 implementation efforts in sectors and industries where both ease of implementation and impact on problem solving were high.

Sector Suitability Assessment _Source: C4i4, Pune_
Sector Suitability Assessment
Source: C4i4, Pune

2. Methodology

Demonstration Lab Source: C4i4, Pune
Demonstration Lab
Source: C4i4, Pune
Smart 50 Source: C4i4, Pune
Smart 50
Source: C4i4, Pune

3. Challenges

Many MSMEs and SMEs in India are still operating at a relatively low level of automation resulting in limited data collection. They must first resolve some basic 5S issues (Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize and Sustain) internally, before attempting an Industry 4.0 transformation.

4. Key Findings

Industry 4.0 Deployment Source: Gateway House research
Industry 4.0 Deployment
Source: Gateway House research

Commander Amrut Godbole is Fellow, Indian Navy Studies Programme at Gateway House.

Manjeet Kripalani is Executive Director and co-founder, Gateway House.

Sagnik Chakraborty is Former Researcher, Cybersecurity Studies Programme at Gateway House.

This case study is a part of Gateway House and India EXIM Bank’s study, ‘Digital Manufacturing in India‘. You can read exclusive content here.

For interview requests with the author, or for permission to republish, please contact outreach@gatewayhouse.in.

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