The Association of Indian Forging Industry (AIFI), the apex body for the country’s forging sector, recently hosted a Special Session on “Emerging Technology in Forging” in Bengaluru. The knowledge-led event brought together industry leaders, technology specialists and forging professionals to examine how innovation, automation and digital tools are shaping the future of smart manufacturing. The session aimed to highlight opportunities for improving efficiency, productivity and sustainability across the forging ecosystem. The programme began with welcome remarks from Vivek Bansal, Director, Bansal Precision Forge Pvt Ltd, followed by a presentation from Senthil Kumar R of the Nasscom Centre of Excellence – IoT & AI. He discussed the growing role of AI, IoT and automation in forging operations, illustrating practical use cases and the impact of connected manufacturing. A session on “Driving Digital Transformation in the Forging Sector” was delivered by Dr Amit Goyal and Dr Manju Gupta of BizSol Technologies, who demonstrated how ERP systems, digital integration and data-driven processes are enabling forging companies to transition to Industry 4.0 with greater agility. Further technical insights were shared by Mr Ajit Gaikwad of Yeskolube India Pvt Ltd on the importance of forging die lubricants for improving productivity and die life. The final presentation by Ramakrishna D of Orb Energy focused on the strategic benefits of adopting solar power for industrial operations. Commenting on the event, AIFI President Yash Munot said the organisation remains committed to equipping the forging industry with the knowledge and capabilities needed to embrace digital and technological advancements. He noted that meaningful collaboration and regular engagement with technology partners are essential for keeping the sector globally competitive. AIFI continues to drive innovation, support policy dialogue and enable members to adopt advanced solutions as the forging sector adapts to emerging challenges and contributes to India’s broader industrial growth.