On Friday, April 10, 2026, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) and Wipro 3D (the additive manufacturing arm of Wipro Infrastructure Engineering) solidified a strategic partnership to establish a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Additive Manufacturing at the Toyota Technical Training Institute (TTTI) in Bidadi, Karnataka.
This collaboration represents a significant step in integrating Industry 4.0 technologies into India’s vocational training landscape, moving beyond theoretical learning to hands-on industrial application.
Strategic Rationale: From Prototyping to Production
The partnership leverages Wipro 3D’s technical leadership in metal and polymer additive manufacturing to modernize TKM’s manufacturing ecosystem.
- Manufacturing Agility: The CoE focuses on rapid prototyping and the creation of production aids (jigs and fixtures), allowing TKM to respond to assembly line requirements in hours rather than weeks.
- Weight Optimization: Utilizing 3D printing to develop lightweight, high-strength components that are difficult or impossible to manufacture through traditional casting or forging.
- On-Demand Spare Parts: Enabling the “digital warehouse” concept, where slow-moving or legacy parts can be manufactured on-demand, reducing inventory costs.
The Educational Blueprint: Future-Proofing Talent
The CoE is embedded within the Toyota Technical Training Institute (TTTI), which recently doubled its capacity to 2,400 students, focusing on a 50% female enrollment target to drive gender diversity in tech.
- Technical Curriculum: Wipro 3D will provide structured modules on design for additive manufacturing (DfAM), material science, and post-processing.
- Experiential Learning: The program includes internships, apprenticeships, and live industry projects, ensuring students enter the workforce with “production-ready” skills.
- Kaizen Integration: In alignment with Toyota’s core philosophy, the center will apply Kaizen (continuous improvement) to additive processes to optimize resource use and reduce waste.
- Certification: Graduates will receive specialized certifications in advanced manufacturing, bridging the gap between traditional mechanical engineering and modern digital production.
Impact on the Automotive Ecosystem
By fostering an ecosystem of skilled professionals in Bidadi, TKM and Wipro 3D are addressing critical bottlenecks in the Indian automotive supply chain.
- Lead Time Reduction: Accelerating the New Product Development (NPD) cycle for upcoming Toyota models, including hybrids and electric vehicles.
- Operational Flexibility: Enhancing the ability to customize assembly line tools for different vehicle platforms without the high costs of traditional tooling.
- Skill India Mission: Directly contributing to the national goal of creating a high-tech manufacturing workforce to compete with global standards.
“Our philosophy follows core principles of Toyota—Continue the Quest for Improvement and Show Respect for People. This collaboration will play an imperative role in nurturing future-ready talent while contributing meaningfully to the Government’s Skill India Mission.” — G. Shankara, Chief Strategy Officer, TKM.
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