IMTMA Elects New Leadership for 2025–2026, Mohini Kelkar Takes Charge as President!
By Ashutosh Arora
The Indian Machine Tool Manufacturers’ Association (IMTMA), the apex body representing India’s machine tool industry, has announced the election of its new leadership team for the year 2025–2026. The appointments were confirmed during the 79th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC), Bengaluru, a landmark event that brought together leading stakeholders from the machine tool and manufacturing ecosystem.
Mohini Kelkar, Director – Business Development at Grind Master Machines Pvt Ltd, has been elected as President of IMTMA. With decades of experience in advanced manufacturing technologies, Kelkar is widely respected for her leadership in precision engineering and innovation. Her election marks an important milestone, as she will lead IMTMA at a time when India’s machine tool sector is poised for accelerated growth amid rising demand from automotive, aerospace, electronics, energy, and infrastructure industries.
Joining her in the leadership team is Vikram Salunke, Managing Director of Accurate Gauging & Instruments Pvt Ltd, who has been elected as Vice President of IMTMA. Salunke brings strong expertise in industrial metrology and inspection systems, areas that are becoming increasingly critical as Indian manufacturing scales up quality standards to meet global requirements.
Together, Kelkar and Salunke will guide IMTMA’s Executive Committee for 2025–2026, steering the Association’s efforts in shaping policies, promoting technology adoption, and strengthening India’s position as a global hub for machine tools. Their leadership is expected to focus on fostering innovation, sustainability, and workforce development while building stronger collaborations between industry, academia, and government.
Founded in 1946, IMTMA has been at the forefront of representing and advancing the interests of the Indian machine tool sector for nearly eight decades. Today, it has over 500 member companies across both public and private sectors, manufacturing a wide range of products including metal cutting and metal forming machines, CNC systems, automation solutions, cutting tools, and related equipment. The Association plays a vital role in organizing major industry events such as IMTEX, South and North Machine Tool Expos, and other knowledge-sharing platforms that drive industry engagement and showcase India’s technological strengths on a global stage.
The machine tool industry, often referred to as the “mother industry,” forms the backbone of manufacturing and industrialization. With India pushing for greater self-reliance under initiatives like Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat, the sector is at a strategic inflection point. Under Kelkar’s leadership, IMTMA is expected to intensify its efforts in enabling member companies to adopt Industry 4.0 practices, digital manufacturing, and sustainable technologies, while also strengthening India’s exports and global competitiveness.
Speaking after her election, Mohini Kelkar emphasized the importance of collaboration and innovation in shaping the future of Indian manufacturing. She highlighted that IMTMA will continue to act as a catalyst for industry growth, bridging gaps between manufacturers, policymakers, and end-users, while addressing challenges related to supply chains, skill development, and technology upgradation.
As IMTMA enters its 80th year, the newly appointed leadership is tasked with not only consolidating the industry’s progress but also charting a roadmap for the next decade of growth. With a strong vision and an experienced leadership team at the helm, IMTMA is well positioned to champion the interests of India’s machine tool sector and reinforce its contribution to the country’s manufacturing excellence.
