The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has released a report titled “Raising the Standard: Quality Transformation in Indian Manufacturing”, emphasizing the need for continuous quality improvement and proactive quality assurance practices. The report highlights how these measures can help maintain compliance and enhance India’s global competitiveness.
Key Insights from the Report
- 77% of companies reported a significant improvement in quality consciousness over the past decade.
- Key drivers for the shift towards quality include:
- Regulatory compliance
- Building strong brand reputation and customer trust
- Competitive market pressures
- Technological advancements
- Gaps in National Quality Standards: Lack of specific national standards in sectors like Technology and Capital Goods creates an uneven regulatory landscape.
Strategic Recommendations for Enhancing Quality in Indian Manufacturing
Policy Agenda
- Quality-Centric Skilling and Certification Programs: Equip workers with quality-specific skills in precision control, quality management systems, and international standards compliance.
- ‘Quality as a Service’ (QaaS) Partnerships: Develop Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models to provide shared quality infrastructure and expert guidance.
Industry Agenda
- Continuous Quality Improvement Training for Leadership & Management: Train senior and middle management in CQI practices and advanced quality metrics.
- Digital Supplier Quality Management Systems: Utilize real-time data and analytics to monitor supplier performance. Moreover, enable proactive quality issue detection and resolution.
Challenges for Indian Manufacturers
Despite progress, several challenges persist, particularly for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs):
- High implementation costs for quality enhancement measures.
- Limited access to advanced technology.
- Shortage of skilled labor, making adoption of global standards difficult.
- Gaps in testing infrastructure and ambiguities in national quality standards, leading to inconsistent product quality.