1.15 lakh square feet Bharat Ratnam – Mega Common Facility Centre, India’s first jewellery design and technology innovation centre, open to all domestic and export players

The Mega Common Facility Centre, the first of its kind globally, marks India’s biggest leap yet in creating a democratic innovation ecosystem in all jewellery design and manufacturing realms. It opens up world-class technology at marginal costs and prepares India to take the numero uno position in creating high-design, high-quality jewellery for domestic and global markets.

Mumbai: The inauguration of Bharat Ratnam, India’s first mega common facility centre, in SEEPZ SEZ Mumbai on March 15 has injected new life into India’s gem and jewellery industry, one of the world’s fastest-growing sectors. This state-of-the-art facility promises to revolutionize the industry, enhancing its global competitiveness and accelerating its growth.

In his keynote address, Piyush Goyal, Union Minister for Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and Textiles, Govt of India, stated, “The Bharat Ratnam-Mega CFC heralds a new era of Make in India and Design in India. It will help create a high-quality jewellery made-in-India brand that the world will aspire to, desire, and look up to.”

With an investment of over 100 cr, the Mega CFC offers a world-class infrastructure to promote the inherent skills of India’s gems and jewellery manufacturing industry, transform the export sector, and bolster domestic manufacturing. Conceptualised in response to the gems and jewellery trade’s request in September 2021, it enhances the existing quality, productivity, manpower skills, domestic R&D, technological advancement, and cost competitiveness. It will also include a training centre for imparting skill development courses to train around 1600 youngsters joining the workforce each year.

Vipul Shah, Chairman of GJEPC, said, “It is a game-changer for our industry, and it will propel us towards achieving $75 billion in exports and realising our vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047.”

Stressing on an inclusive approach from a domestic industry development perspective, Colin Shah, Head—Working Group, Bharat Ratnam—Mega CFC, said, “There is no bar on business turnover here, as Bharat Ratnam—CFC is open equally to top chain store players and even those domestic retail players with a small manufacturing team.” ‘We are building this Mega CFC to drive India’s progress. We have assembled a top-tier team of experts, adhering to global standards in all aspects,’ maintained Shah, who initiated this project during his tenure as the chairman of GJEPC.

Previously, SEEPZ had only 3 gates for exporters. “With the establishment of the mega CFC, gates 4 and 5 have been made specially to streamline the operations of domestic and other players who would like to benefit from the gamut of technology we have here,” he added while clarifying how the centre is geared up to facilitate the domestic jewellery industry.

Talking about how CFC is going to democratise innovation, Bobby Kothari, Director of Jewelex India and member of the working group of Bharat Ratnam—Mega CFC, said, “There will be complete ‘Uberisation’ of technology, where a player can avail all facilities in the realm of designing and manufacturing without owning expensive machines.”

At the CFC, Kothari also envisions hosting global symposiums, harnessing the potential for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and networking among industry experts, researchers, and stakeholders, ‘so that all participating brands and their teams get top-notch consultation on technology, techniques, and training.’

It offers a comprehensive range of cutting-edge technical services to meet diverse needs. These services include CAD and CAD rendering, 3D printing in metal, ceramic, resin, and wax, and casting in gold, platinum, and silver.

 Additionally, the centre provides a gamut of facilities, including CNC machining, precious metal refining, mass finishing, LGD testing, hallmarking, colour laser engraving, micron plating, rhodium plating services, enamel coating, and LAB testing, including XRF. Moreover, the centre will offer photography and video services and training and skilling programs to equip individuals with essential technical expertise.

This comprehensive offering forms a dynamic “tech bazaar” where businesses can explore and leverage state-of-the-art tools and solutions to enhance their operations and products. The Bharat Ratnam Centre includes a 12,000 sq ft exhibition area and a multi-purpose hall for B2B and B2C workshops and events.

Completed in a remarkable 14 months, it stands as a beacon of excellence with its world-class facilities, promising to seal India’s numero uno position in the world jewellery market.

Written by Maithili Patange

Retail Jeweller India Exclusive