Going by the attendees, it can be said that India Kitchen Congress reflects the mood and shows the way forward for the modular kitchen and cabinetry industry.
India Kitchen Congress 2024, the annual business conference that presents strategies for growth, achieved several new highs in its 10th edition this year.
First, it saw a new high in attendance, with nearly 300 delegates representing all stakeholders of the modular kitchen, cabinetry, and home improvement industry present for the daylong event.
A total of 150 organisations were represented, up from 114 last year. Manufacturers and channel partners made up for 45 percent of the audience. There was a strong showing from A+D professionals, who made up a healthy 10 per cent of the audience, which revealed the interest of this segment in engaging with the industry as professionals as well as partners.
This meeting of partners, customers, vendors, consultants, subject experts, start-ups and investors confirmed that IKC was the most significant annual meeting place for gaining knowledge and business networking. As one of the regular attendees said, “This year the agenda of the conference was deeper and heavier.”
Second, this edition of IKC saw the strong entry of Technology and Innovation in the discourse, which was reflective of what was on the minds of entrepreneurs and professionals. Representing these topics were:
- CEO’s Session on AI;
- a panel discussion on How Technology is Transforming the Kitchen Business;
- a presentation on Venture Capital Environment for Entrepreneurs;
- a mentoring session for start-up founders – How to Raise Funds from VCs
Third, this year’s IKC saw an impressive turnout of the A+D fraternity. The design professionals were attracted by the Design Track of the conference, which comprised masterclasses:
- Curating Customer-centric Retail Environments;
- The 6P Space Planning Method
Finally, the Awards, which have emerged as the platform for honouring creativity, leadership and service to the industry. This year’s India Kitchen Congress Awards again recognised the best of the best, with the winners receiving resounding applause and platitudes from leaders of the industry, friends, and peers. With many of the awards being won by teams, the quest for the golden trophy has undoubtedly become an annual motivational exercise within organisations.
And the winners of the India Kitchen Congress Awards 2024 are…
India Kitchen Congress started as an experimental workshop, and today it has become a fixture, an annual date, for the modular kitchen and cabinetry industry. Over the past decade, the modular kitchen and cabinetry industry has evolved from the time when the competition was with the carpenter, to when the competition is between teams comprising space designers, product designers, branding experts, customer experience specialists, innovators, digital communicators, installation experts, etc.
Going by PWC estimates, the demand for furniture in India is expected to reach $24.4 billion by 2035. However, the Indian industry’s output, which stands at $7 billion today, will achieve only $10.4 billion by 2035. So while there’s a huge opportunity, there are challenges as well.
Among the various challenges that confront the industry – policy deadlock, high import duties, absence of furniture clusters, high cost of electricity and logistics, etc, possibly the most significant is the lack of skills and standards.
IKC set the roadmap for addressing the twin challenge of skills and standards with a combo of presentations and talks:
- Coping with QCOs – Preparing for a Level Playing Field;
- Skilling Strategy Implementation Made Easy;
- Creating an Edge Through People;
- Experiences in Lean Manufacturing
On a Mission
The mission of India Kitchen Congress is to help the industry embrace change and develop strategies for growth. Further, it aims to discover the themes that are relevant for growth and bring them forward for consideration.
Partners
In this mission, India Kitchen Congress had as partners robust organisations like the Furniture & Fittings Skill Council, the Association of Furniture Manufacturers and Traders, and the Modular Furniture Manufacturers Association.
IKC is also proud to partner with some of the industry’s leading companies as sponsors – Hettich (platinum sponsor), and Panasonic Kitchens and Livspace (silver sponsor).
Exhibiting partners included NAADI, CAD+T, Cubotic, Electrolux, Easyfix, and Doctor Window.
