With Indian manufacturing companies going global, Innovation leadership has become critical. It is imperative for the manufacturing sector to imbibe a culture of innovation and integrate it into their DNA. Global competition and cutting edge technology have made creating new products, expanding markets and nurturing innovation the path that will lead to sustainable growth. However, Innovation cannot always happen by chance and requires visionary leadership and a noble mind. It requires leaders who have a holistic perspective to manufacturing and have deep insights into customer’s latent needs.
Having recognized the crunch for such leaders, CII launched the Visionary Leaders for Manufacturing Programme (VLFM) in September 2007. Through the VLFM Programme CII endeavors to build a critical mass of 200-250 Visionary Leaders who can lead the growth of India’s manufacturing sector. And, to institutionalize the implementation of this programme at CII, we also put in place, the VLFM Division to which all participating companies automatically become members.

VLFM Programme is a path breaking partnership between Industry, Academia and the Government. Through this programme CII has partnered with IIT Kanpur, IIT Madras and IIM Calcutta to work towards the transformation of the manufacturing sector. National Manufacturing Competitiveness Council and the Ministry of Human Resource Development have also partnered with the industry to work towards a new, vibrant manufacturing sector.

The programme also forms a part of the Joint Declaration signed in December 2006 between Dr. Manmohan Singh, Honb’le Prime Minister of India and Mr. Shinzo Abe, the then Prime Minister of Japan. This programme has received tremendous support from Japan International Co operation Agency. On behalf of CII and the Indian industry I wish to place on record our sincere gratitude for their contribution.
We at CII have always endeavored to and will continue to work towards building a competitive, vibrant India.
Jamshyd Godrej
Chairman
CII VLFM Division