Ludhiana: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann laid the foundation stone for a ₹1,116 crore forging and machining unit in Ludhiana on August 6. The facility is being established by Vardhman Special Steels in partnership with Japan’s Aichi Steel.
The project will introduce advanced Japanese forging technology in Punjab and is expected to supply automobile components to markets in India and several international destinations.
Vardhman-Aichi Unit to Serve Domestic and Global Markets
The upcoming unit is expected to supply automobile components to:
- India
- Europe
- ASEAN countries
- Africa
- Mexico
The project will bring Japanese forging technology to the state, with the aim of strengthening Punjab’s engineering and advanced manufacturing capabilities.
Punjab Industrial Policy 2026 Highlights Advanced Manufacturing
During the event, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann highlighted the Punjab Industrial and Business Development Policy 2026.
The policy provides support through 24 sectoral policies covering areas including advanced manufacturing, exports, technology, employment generation and sustainable industrial growth.
Invest Punjab Provides Single-Point Support
The Chief Minister also highlighted the Invest Punjab system, which provides single-point support to investors across different stages of a project.
The support covers the process from initial discussions and approvals through construction, production and future expansion.
Project Follows Aichi Steel-Vardhman MoU
Mann recalled his December 2025 visit to Japan, during which Aichi Steel signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Vardhman.
The MoU subsequently led to the investment project being established in Ludhiana.
The Vardhman-Aichi unit marks the latest development from the partnership between Vardhman Special Steels and Aichi Steel in the forging and machining sector.
The project is part of Punjab’s stated focus on advanced manufacturing, exports, technology, employment generation and sustainable industrial growth under its Industrial and Business Development Policy 2026.
About Japan’s Aichi Steel
Aichi Steel Corporation is a Japan-based company with expertise in automotive components, steel products and forging technologies. The company is part of the Toyota Group and has a long-standing presence in the automotive manufacturing supply chain.
