From Wrenches to Watts: How India’s Tooling Industry is Building a Self-Reliant Future 

Driven by massive government infrastructure spending, a modernizing industrial base, and a growing DIY culture, India’s hand tools and power tools market is on a trajectory of significant growth, with the power tools segment alone expected to more than double to $3.8 billion by 2035; in response to this potential and to curb imports, the Union Government is actively fostering domestic manufacturing through initiatives like a ₹3,000 crore allocation, a strategic push that is already yielding results as local companies begin to indigenize production of previously imported items, create jobs, and build confidence to compete with global brands, ultimately fueling an ambitious vision to expand exports from $1 billion to over $25 billion by 2035 and build a self-reliant industrial future.

From Wrenches to Watts: How India’s Tooling Industry is Building a Self-Reliant Future 

If you want to take the pulse of an economy, don’t just look at its stock indices or corporate earnings. Look at its tools. The humble hand tool, the whirring power drill, and the unassuming bolt are the unsung heroes of national progress. They are the fundamental instruments that turn blueprints for roads, railways, and factories into tangible reality. 

Right now, in India, these instruments are ringing with a newfound energy. Driven by a massive government infrastructure push, a modernizing industrial base, and a burgeoning culture of self-reliance, the Indian hand tools, power tools, and fasteners market is not just growing; it is fundamentally transforming. This isn’t merely a story of market statistics—it’s a narrative of a nation tooling up for a future built, quite literally, by its own hands. 

The Engine of Growth: More Than Just Numbers 

The data, as highlighted in a recent study by the IMARC Group and discussed at industry gatherings like the Hand Tools & Fasteners Expo in Mumbai, is compelling: 

• The hand tools market, valued at approximately $826 million in 2024, is on a steady climb to reach $1.22 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 4.1%. 

• The power tools segment is the undeniable star, poised for a meteoric rise. From an estimated $1.85 billion in 2025, it is projected to more than double to a staggering $3.8 billion by 2035, at a robust CAGR of 7.8%. 

But what’s fueling this engine? The catalysts are multi-pronged and deeply interwoven with India’s current economic story. 

1. The Infrastructure Tsunami: The government’s unprecedented capital expenditure on roads, railways, airports, and housing projects is creating a sustained, multi-year demand cycle. Every new kilometer of highway, every new airport terminal, and every affordable housing unit requires a vast arsenal of tools for construction, installation, and finishing.
2. The Manufacturing Metamorphosis: Beyond mega-projects, India’s small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are modernizing. The automotive aftermarket is booming, furniture manufacturing is scaling up, and industries from aerospace to consumer appliances are expanding. This necessitates more sophisticated, efficient tools, driving the shift from basic implements to advanced power equipment.
3. The Rise of the DIY Culture: A quiet revolution is taking place in urban Indian households. Spurred by online tutorials and a desire for customization, the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) culture is gaining traction. From assembling flat-pack furniture to undertaking home improvement projects, a new generation of consumers is investing in power drills, sanders, and impact wrenches for personal use. This not only expands the market but also elevates the demand for user-friendly, cordless tools.

The Cordless Revolution: Cutting the Cord on Inefficiency 

A key trend supercharging the power tools segment is the rapid shift from corded to cordless technology. This isn’t just a matter of convenience; it’s a leap in productivity and safety. 

Cordless tools offer unparalleled mobility, allowing workers to operate freely in vast construction sites or tight spaces without being tethered to a power source. This eliminates trip hazards and reduces downtime. Advancements in battery technology, particularly Lithium-ion, now offer longer runtimes and faster charging, making cordless tools a viable and powerful alternative to their corded counterparts for professional use. This shift is a critical enabler for the productivity gains India’s infrastructure race desperately needs. 

The “Make in India” Pivot: Replacing Imported Sockets with Domestic Jobs 

Perhaps the most significant plot twist in this story is the strategic pivot towards domestic manufacturing. For decades, the Indian market, especially the premium and industrial segments, was dominated by imported brands, with China accounting for a overwhelming majority of certain product categories. 

Recognizing both the economic opportunity and the strategic imperative, the Union Government is actively discouraging imports and encouraging local production. The landmark moment, as revealed by industry leaders, was a post-pandemic sanction of a ₹3,000 crore allocation to establish a domestic power tool manufacturing ecosystem. 

The impact is already being felt on the ground. 

Rajesh Peshion of Osho Tools (Venus brand) provided a powerful case study: “95% of cold forged sockets and impact sockets were earlier imported from China. After 5 years of efforts, we are now able to manufacture these in India. With support from the Government, we can replace imports of about ₹100 crore from China.” 

This sentiment is echoed across the industry. Neeraj Aggarwal, Director of De Neers Tools Ltd, announced the establishment of two new manufacturing units, stating it will “reduce dependence on imports, generate employment and contribute to building a stronger future.” 

This isn’t just import substitution; it’s value retention. Every tool manufactured in India retains capital within the country, creates skilled and semi-skilled jobs, and strengthens the entire industrial supply chain. 

The Confidence to Compete: Challenging Global Giants 

The ambition of Indian manufacturers is no longer limited to capturing the lower end of the market. They are now confidently competing with established European brands on quality, while offering superior affordability. 

Aman Aggarwal of A Cube Tools highlighted this shift: “For years, India’s OEMs and factories largely relied on established European tool brands. With the introduction of brands like Dong Cheng, we have been able to match, and in many cases exceed, those benchmarks… This reflects the growing confidence in competitive, high-quality solutions that meet the demands of Indian manufacturing.” 

This newfound confidence is crucial. It signals a maturation of the industry from being mere assemblers to becoming innovators and quality leaders in their own right. 

The Road to 2035: A $25 Billion Export Vision 

The vision for the future is audacious. Industry leaders, through platforms like Informa Markets, are looking beyond the domestic market. Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director of Informa Markets in India, articulated a bold goal: to expand India’s hand and power tools exports from the current $1 billion to over $25 billion by 2035. 

This is not a pipe dream. It is a logical extension of the current trajectory. If India can successfully replace $100 crore imports in a single product category like sockets, the potential across the entire tooling spectrum is enormous. By building scale, ensuring quality, and leveraging government support through production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes and similar initiatives, India can position itself as a global tools hub, serving markets in Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and beyond. 

The Bottom Line: Building the Future, One Tool at a Time 

The story of India’s tools industry is a microcosm of the larger “Make in India” narrative. It’s a shift from dependence to self-reliance, from commodity trading to value manufacturing, and from a domestic focus to a global ambition. 

The growth projections are impressive, but the real story lies in the tangible changes: the new manufacturing units being built, the jobs being created, the import bills being reduced, and the confidence of Indian manufacturers soaring. As the government continues to lay the foundation with infrastructure projects, and as Indian companies continue to forge the tools needed to build upon it, the entire nation is, in a very real sense, being bolted together for a more prosperous and self-reliant future. The tools of the trade are no longer just instruments of construction; they are the building blocks of a new India.