As India’s precision manufacturing sector gains global traction, mould-making is emerging as a key enabler of advanced manufacturing across industries. OM Galaxy Limited, under the leadership of Chairman & Managing Director Opinder Singh, has evolved from a first-generation venture into a globally competitive engineering enterprise. In this interview, Singh discusses the changing mould-making landscape, technology and AI adoption, the EV opportunity, and what India needs to do to become a global hub for precision manufacturing.
You started OM Galaxy Limited as a first-generation entrepreneur and have built it into a company with a global footprint. What were the biggest challenges you faced during the early years, and what helped you overcome them?
The early years were defined by a single challenge: building a manufacturing organization capable of delivering consistent quality and precision at a time when the Indian tooling industry itself was still evolving. As customer requirements became more sophisticated, it became increasingly important to move beyond traditional manufacturing practices and establish capabilities that could support long-term scalability, reliability, and technical excellence.
Our response was a sustained commitment to technology adoption, capability building, and continuous improvement. The decision to invest in CNC technology was part of a broader strategic vision to strengthen precision, productivity, and process discipline. Over the years, this approach, combined with an unwavering focus on quality and customer trust, has enabled us to evolve from a conventional tool room into a globally competitive precision engineering enterprise.
India’s plastics and polymer processing industry is becoming increasingly sophisticated. How has the demand for precision moulds changed over the past decade?
The expectations placed on mould manufacturers have undergone a significant transformation over the past decade. Customers today are not merely seeking a mould that performs its intended function; they expect solutions that deliver precision, consistency, extended tool life, superior productivity, and faster product development cycles. This evolution reflects the increasing sophistication of end-use industries and the growing emphasis on manufacturing efficiency and product quality.
As product designs become more complex and performance standards continue to rise, the role of the mould manufacturer has expanded considerably. Success today requires a combination of engineering expertise, advanced manufacturing capabilities, and the ability to contribute meaningfully to design optimization and process improvement. Consequently, mould-making has evolved into a highly specialized engineering discipline that plays a strategic role in modern manufacturing.
What are the biggest challenges Indian mould manufacturers face today in competing with established global manufacturing hubs?
India’s precision manufacturing sector has made remarkable progress over the years and today possesses the technical capability, engineering expertise, and entrepreneurial drive required to compete globally. The focus now is less about capability creation and more about continuously elevating standards to meet increasingly demanding international requirements across quality, precision, delivery, compliance, and operational excellence.
As global supply chains become more integrated, customers expect manufacturing partners to consistently align with international benchmarks, industry certifications, and evolving regulatory frameworks. The opportunity for Indian manufacturers lies in strengthening their position as trusted global partners by combining engineering excellence with technology-led innovation, robust quality systems, and a long-term commitment to continuous improvement.
How do you see technologies such as automation, advanced machining, digital design and Industry 4.0 transforming the mould-making industry?
The mould-making industry is undergoing a fundamental transformation driven by the convergence of advanced manufacturing technologies and digitalization. Automation, advanced machining, and digital design are enabling manufacturers to achieve higher levels of precision, repeatability, and efficiency while significantly reducing development timelines and enhancing overall product quality.
Industry 4.0 extends this transformation by creating intelligent manufacturing environments where real-time data, connected systems, and predictive insights support faster and more informed decision-making. The future of mould manufacturing will increasingly be defined by digitally integrated operations that combine engineering expertise with data-driven intelligence, enabling manufacturers to deliver greater value, consistency, and competitiveness in an increasingly demanding global market.
Where do you see artificial intelligence, digital twins, simulation and data-driven manufacturing fitting into the future of mould design and production?
I believe these technologies will play a critical role in shaping the future of manufacturing.
Simulation tools already help manufacturers optimize mould designs before production begins, reducing development time and minimizing costly iterations. Digital twins will allow companies to create virtual representations of moulds and production systems, enabling continuous monitoring and performance optimization throughout the lifecycle.
Artificial intelligence has the potential to improve design optimization, predictive maintenance, process control, and quality management by analyzing large volumes of manufacturing data. Rather than replacing engineering expertise, AI will strengthen decision-making by providing deeper insights and enabling faster problem-solving.
The future of mould-making will combine engineering knowledge with intelligent technologies to achieve higher levels of precision, efficiency, and innovation.
Automotive and auto components have become an important part of your business through OMG Auto. What opportunities do you see emerging from the growth of electric vehicles and the changing architecture of automobiles?
The global transition towards electric mobility represents one of the most significant transformations the automotive industry has witnessed in recent decades. As EV adoption accelerates, the industry is witnessing a fundamental shift in vehicle architecture, material selection, and component design. This is creating substantial demand for precision-engineered tooling solutions capable of supporting lightweight structures, battery systems, thermal management components, and increasingly sophisticated plastic and composite applications.
For companies operating in precision engineering and tooling, this transition presents a significant opportunity to contribute to the next generation of automotive manufacturing. Through OMG Auto, we see growing potential to partner with OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers as they develop future-ready mobility solutions. The focus will increasingly be on engineering innovation, manufacturing precision, and the ability to support evolving product requirements at scale.
You strongly believe in the potential of “Made in India” manufacturing. What needs to change for India to become a much larger global hub for precision mould manufacturing?
India today possesses many of the ingredients required to emerge as a global centre for precision engineering and advanced manufacturing, including a strong talent base, entrepreneurial capability, and a rapidly expanding industrial ecosystem. Over the past decade, Indian manufacturers have demonstrated their ability to deliver world-class products and engineering solutions across diverse sectors.
The next phase of growth will be driven by deeper investments in technology, research-led innovation, advanced manufacturing infrastructure, and industry-academia collaboration. Equally important is the continued focus on global quality standards, process excellence, and capability development. As supply chains diversify globally, India has a unique opportunity to strengthen its position as a trusted manufacturing partner and a destination for high-value engineering and precision manufacturing.
Precision mould-making requires highly skilled designers, engineers and technicians. How challenging is it to find and develop the right talent in India?
Talent development remains one of the industry’s most important priorities. While India produces a large number of engineers and technical graduates every year, precision mould-making requires highly specialized skills that are often developed through hands-on experience, mentorship, and continuous training. The industry needs professionals who combine technical expertise with practical problem-solving capabilities.
At OM Galaxy Limited, we have consistently invested in training, mentorship, and skill-development initiatives to nurture the next generation of manufacturing professionals. Through regular technical workshops, hands-on learning programmes, and capability-building initiatives aligned with the broader vision of strengthening Indian manufacturing, we aim to equip our workforce with the skills required to operate in an increasingly technology-driven environment. Ultimately, manufacturing excellence is built not only through machines and technology but through the people who apply them effectively.
What is your long-term vision for OM Galaxy Limited do you see it primarily as a leading Indian mould manufacturer, or as a global engineering and manufacturing solutions company?
Precision mould manufacturing will always remain the foundation upon which OM Galaxy Limited has been built. However, our long-term vision extends beyond being a conventional tooling company. Over the years, we have systematically expanded our capabilities across precision engineering, advanced manufacturing, automotive solutions, and emerging business verticals while continuing to strengthen our technological and operational capabilities.
Our aspiration is to build OM Galaxy limited into a globally respected engineering and manufacturing enterprise that is recognized for innovation, precision, reliability, and technical excellence. As the manufacturing landscape continues to evolve, we remain committed to investing in future-ready capabilities, creating value for our customers and stakeholders, and demonstrating that an Indian engineering company can compete successfully at the highest global standards.