India’s Manufacturing Edge Is Being Wasted

A recent LinkedIn post by an Indian businessman offers a sharp reality check. During his visit to a prospective investee’s manufacturing unit in China, he witnessed something remarkable:

One man operating an entire fully automated production line—for 12 hours straight.

Intrigued, he asked the promoter why their Chinese facility consistently delivered higher margins compared to Indian operations. The answer boiled down to two critical advantages:

1. 300 basis points edge in material costs
2. 80 basis points advantage in labour efficiency

The natural question followed: How can a country with higher labour costs still enjoy a labour efficiency edge?

The Chinese Advantage: Women at the Core

The promoter’s reply was as blunt as it was revealing:

“Chinese women are four times more efficient than our male workers. Each woman handles three to four lines, while here, one man handles one. They don’t leave until the work is done. No unions, no absenteeism. They take pride in contributing to a $19 trillion economy.”

This statement shines a light on an often-ignored truth: China’s manufacturing dominance isn’t just about machines and policies—it’s about women. Their discipline, dedication, and resilience form the backbone of the apparel and footwear industries.

What India Is Missing

India has the numbers. It has the skill base. But it has not yet unlocked the potential of its women workforce. In many factories, women are either underrepresented or excluded entirely. This results in a massive productivity gap, leaving India unable to fully leverage its manufacturing advantage.

By not integrating women into the production ecosystem at scale, India is not just ignoring a talent pool—it is sacrificing competitiveness.

The Opportunity Ahead

For India’s leather and footwear sector to thrive globally, the formula is clear:

1. Empower women workers with training, fair wages, and safe workplaces.
2. Redesign production systems to encourage inclusivity.
3. Shift perceptions—from viewing women as supplementary labour to recognizing them as core drivers of efficiency and growth.
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The Bottom Line

India cannot compete on cost alone. To match global benchmarks in productivity and scale, it must learn from competitors who have already tapped into their biggest advantage: women.

If China’s women can carry the pride of a $19 trillion economy, there is no reason why India’s women cannot power the next big leap for our USD 6.5 billion (and growing) leather and footwear export industry.