With steel demand and production rising sharply, Build Connect 2026 will bring dealers, distributors, manufacturers, and financiers together to strengthen India’s trade-led distribution ecosystem
New Delhi: India’s steel and construction materials industry is entering a phase of accelerated growth, driven by capacity expansion and steady domestic demand. Industry data from BigMint shows that India’s steel production crossed 160 million tonnes in calendar year 2025. Installed steel capacity is projected to reach nearly 300 million tonnes by 2030.
Cement manufacturers are also expanding capacity. Ongoing infrastructure spending and sustained housing activity continue to support this growth across regions.
As production rises, industry focus is shifting beyond output. Stakeholders are now prioritising how efficiently higher volumes reach end users. Market access and last-mile distribution have emerged as strategic concerns across the value chain.
Trade-Led distribution gains strategic importance
BigMint estimates that finished steel consumption in FY26 stood at around 162 million tonnes. Trade-led channels accounted for nearly 50 million tonnes of this volume. These channels include dealers, distributors, stockists, and yards, most of which operate at the MSME level.
By 2030, steel demand is expected to approach 210 million tonnes. Trade-based distribution could expand to nearly 70 million tonnes annually. Growth is being driven by deeper penetration into Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets, rising demand for value-added steel products, and gradual modernisation of dealer–distributor infrastructure.
These shifts indicate that distribution networks will play a decisive role in absorbing future production capacity.
Industry leaders flag distribution as a growth enabler
Industry leaders highlighted these trends during a curtain-raiser press conference at the Press Club of India in New Delhi. The event marked the formal announcement of Build Connect 2026, a national expo-cum-conference focused on strengthening dealer–distributor ecosystems in steel and construction materials.
Meanwhile speakers stressed that rising volumes and expanding product portfolios demand stronger regional reach and operational readiness. They noted that manufacturers can no longer rely on production growth alone to sustain momentum.
According to BigMint estimates, dealer–distributor networks trade steel and construction materials worth nearly ₹3.5 lakh crore annually. This scale has increased the need for structured finance, improved liquidity management, and modern inventory systems.
Build Connect 2026: A national platform for the trade ecosystem
Build Connect 2026 positions itself as a first-of-its-kind national platform. It will connect dealers and distributors with mills, manufacturers, EPC companies, architects, financial institutions, and technology providers.
The event will focus on nationwide networking, capacity building, and knowledge exchange. It will also showcase value-added products, digital solutions, and structured financing models aligned with evolving trade needs.
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Organisers expect participation from more than 300 distributors and over 3,000 MSME-level dealers, reflecting the depth of India’s trade-led distribution landscape.
Voices from the Industry
Kamal Goel, Chairman of the Amba Shakti Group, said that expanding steel capacity and the shift toward value-added products make a strong distribution network essential for market penetration across regions.
Sumit Agrawal, CMO of BigMint and organiser of Build Connect 2026, said India’s growing production base offers an opportunity to modernise distribution alongside manufacturing expansion.
Amit Gupta, President of the Akhil Bhartiya Loha Vyapar Sangh (ABLVS), said a national platform like Build Connect 2026 can help MSME dealers improve visibility, share insights, and prepare for the next phase of growth.
Build Connect 2026 will take place on February 19–20, 2026, at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi.
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