Charting the future of cable manufacturing: IEEMA unites industry and government leaders
- October 28, 2026
Apex industry body IEEMA successfully organised the 10th edition of the International Conference & Exhibition on Cables, Wires & Accessories, themed ‘Currents of Change: Wiring a Safe, Smart & Sustainable World’, on October 27-28, 2026, in Mumbai.
The technical sessions covered topics on advanced materials, sustainable cables, cable system engineering, installation and performance, reliability and diagnostics, testing and safety, among others. Apart from the conference, the exhibition featured stalls and product displays from leading cable original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
Backbone of infrastructure
Speaking at the Inaugural Session of the CableWire Conference, Chief Guest Vamsi Rama Mohan Burra, Chairman & Managing Director, Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL), said, “Cable is no longer a commodity product; it is becoming the backbone of infrastructure. The upcoming green energy corridors across states present an immense opportunity for the cables and wires industry. Moving forward, the next major growth drivers will be underground cabling and cable traction from offshore wind developments.
I urge Indian companies to develop homegrown capabilities to better serve domestic and international markets. With strategic position interconnecting us with different regions and emerging opportunities across the Middle East and South Asia, Indian manufacturers have a prime opportunity to move up the value chain.”
He added, “As the industry expands its capabilities and technologies, there should be fair competition as there are enough opportunities for all. The differentiator should be the quality and the trust of customers. We must develop our own technologies; and move from supplying products to providing complete solutions. You must become creators of technologies of the world. Make in India, make for the world.”
Highest share in electrical industry
Siddharth Bhutoria, President, IEEMA, highlighted the industry’s investment of more than USD 4 billion in the last two years to expand capacity and develop backwards and forward linkages “This is a testament to the strong policy and consistent support provided by the Government of India and the attractiveness of the Indian market.”
Coming to the cable industry, he highlighted, “The industry accounts for the highest share in the electrical industry – about 30 per cent – and has consistently grown at 15 per cent in the last five years. Cables, wires, and conductors are seeing a growth aspiration as demand opportunities in India and globally are likely to exceed $400 billion at 6 per cent CAGR by 2034. The industry growth will mirror this.”
A rising powerhouse
Hartek Singh, President-Elect, IEEMA and Chairman, ELECRAMA 2027, highlighting the many opportunities at the upcoming world’s largest show, said, “India is a rising powerhouse, and it is time to showcase India and the growth story we are experiencing to the world at ELECRAMA 2027.” Expressing delight at being part of the CableWire Conference in Mumbai, he said, “Cables and wires are no more commodities; they are the backbone of India’s 500 GW renewable energy 2030 vision.”
Leaders Speak
Sriram Rangarajan, CEO, Aditya Birla Wires & Cables (Ultravolt), spoke about how it is not about having enough capacity, but about the right capacity. “India’s electrical infra is going through a structural change. Power transmission is going to reach 650,000 ckm by 2032 – this is going to have a huge demand for wires and cables. The industry is evolving. Customers are not looking for a product; they are looking for reliability and long-term sustainability, and players who can achieve this will last longer. The opportunity is to create comprehensive wires: First, build the core strength in wires. Second, make sure there is product acceptance, and then go the speciality route. Third, investments and R&D for the future.”
Shashi Amin, Director and CEO -B2B Channel & Corporate Communication, Polycab India Ltd, spoke about how the global cable industry is chalking a growth path, with India as the only country whose cable and wire industry is growing by 10 percent. “Grid modernisation is happening and renewables – solar, wind, EVs, battery – are coming up world over. Demand is bullish – from Rs100,000 crore, we are talking about Rs175,000 crore; so expansion is the need of the hour. We need to look at backward integration and the supply chain, along with innovation.”
Selesh Gupta, Group CEO, JSK Industries, speaking of reconductoring projects, shared that his company intends to develop new designs. “We intend to understand the pain-points of the market. In terms of technology, we have invested in next gen technology. We are expanding in US and are one of the three largest conductor companies in India putting up facilities in the US. Infrastructure in the US is expanding. What we need is to maintain quality as per international standards. We have to offer solutions and keep introducing new designs as per the customers’ needs.”
Manjit Singh Sethi, President & SBU Head-Cables, Havells India, shared how his company has been investing on the buyer side or the distributor side. Highlighting that his company spends 2 per cent of its revenue on R&D, he emphasised on four areas where R&D is required in cables and wires: 1) safety 2) on the conductor side 3) speciality cables 4) testing of cables by using AI in manufacturing processes. “Indian products have got greater visibility post COVID. Countries like the US, Australia, etc, are seeing India with much more respect; markets have opened up, and exports to these countries will keep increasing.”