Empowerment starts with infrastructure, but it flourishes with culture

Regarding women's empowerment in the manufacturing industry, Amit Kapur, Chairman and Managing Director of IOTA Group Co., NICO Nanobubble India Co., and IOTA Water, believes in 'Walking the Talk.' In conversation with Dr Megha Bansal, Chief Skilling Officer at WIMA and Leadership Coach, he shares that to empower women in manufacturing, we need to implement intentional hiring, leadership programs, and cultural transformation; only this will bring about systemic change.

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Megha: What does women's empowerment personally mean to you, especially within the context of manufacturing?

Amit Kapur: To me, women's empowerment means enabling unrestricted access to opportunity, authority, and respect in everyday decision-making, especially in traditionally male-dominated sectors like manufacturing. In manufacturing, it's about moving beyond tokenism to genuinely co-creating innovation and impact with women across all verticals, from R&D labs to factory floors to boardrooms. At IOTA Group Co., I believe it is our responsibility to make gender inclusivity a core business strategy rather than just a social agenda.

Megha: How would you describe the current state of women's representation and participation in the manufacturing industry?

Amit Kapur: The industry is undoubtedly at a turning point. While the overall percentage of women in manufacturing in core production, mechanical, and engineering roles remains low, we are seeing meaningful shifts. Companies are investing in gender-sensitive hiring practices, returnship programs, flexible shift structures, and inclusive safety protocols. There's also a growing recognition of the leadership potential of women in plant operations, innovation, and sustainability functions, which were previously underrepresented.

At IOTA Group Co., we've made conscious efforts to challenge the stereotype that manufacturing is a "man's world." Our labs, pilot sites, and tech teams are increasingly welcoming women in fields such as engineering, microbiology, data analysis, and project management.

Megha: How is IOTA Group Co. creating pathways for women to grow into leadership and decision-making roles?