India’s Contract Manufacturing Boom: Everything You Need to Know (2024)

India is on track to become a manufacturing hub, according to Piper Serica founder and fund manager Abhay Agarwal. This will lead to significant growth in the contract manufacturing sector, which provides manufacturing services to other companies.

Agarwal said that India’s manufacturing sector has the potential to grow at a rate of 12-15% per year. This is due to a number of factors, including:

• India’s low labor costs: India has a large and skilled workforce that is willing to work for lower wages than workers in developed countries.
• India’s growing middle class: India’s middle class is growing rapidly, creating demand for manufactured goods.
• India’s government support: The Indian government is providing support for the manufacturing sector, including tax breaks and infrastructure investment.

Agarwal said that contract manufacturing is well-positioned to benefit from India’s manufacturing boom. This is because contract manufacturers can provide a flexible and cost-effective way for companies to outsource their manufacturing needs.

Agarwal also said that investors should be looking for companies in the following sectors:

• Electronics components: India is a major producer of electronics components, such as semiconductors and printed circuit boards.
• Special chemicals: India is a major producer of special chemicals, such as pharmaceuticals and fertilizers.
• Design products: India is a growing center for design, which is essential for many manufactured goods.

January Market Outlook: Wait for Correction Before Re-entering

Agarwal said that investors should wait for a correction in the market before re-entering. He said that the market is likely to see some volatility in January, as investors take profits after a strong year in 2023.

Agarwal said that investors should look for companies with both value and growth potential. He said that Reliance is a good example of a company that meets these criteria.

IT Sector: Tread Carefully Before Investing

Agarwal said that investors should be cautious about investing in the IT sector. He said that the sector has already seen significant growth in recent years, and there is a risk of a slowdown.

Agarwal said that investors should wait for the IT sector’s earnings results before making any investment decisions.

Banking Sector: Government Banks Overvalued, Private Banks Offer Value

Agarwal said that government banks are overvalued, while private banks offer value. He said that government banks have been facing challenges in recent years, such as high levels of non-performing assets.

Agarwal said that investors should focus on private banks, which are well-managed and have strong balance sheets.

Conclusion:

India is poised to become a major manufacturing hub, which will lead to significant growth in the contract manufacturing sector. Investors should be looking for companies in the electronics components, special chemicals, and design products sectors.