Manufacturing technology platform Zetwerk is increasing its focus on Original Design Manufacturing (ODM), with ODM contracts contributing 13.93% of the company’s Manufacturing Business GMV in FY26. The increase reflects Zetwerk’s move beyond traditional manufacturing services towards product design, engineering and joint development with customers. Under the ODM model, the company takes responsibility for product design along with manufacturing and related activities.
Zetwerk’s ODM contribution has increased steadily over recent years. ODM contracts accounted for 7.65% of Manufacturing Business GMV in FY23, rising to 8.12% in FY24, 8.34% in FY25 and 13.93% in FY26. The company has been building engineering and design capabilities as customers increasingly involve manufacturing partners at earlier stages of product development. Instead of receiving a completed design and producing the required components, Zetwerk is increasingly working with customers on product development and design.
The company has developed in-house capabilities for components used in several industries. These include transformers for artificial intelligence data centres, process plant machinery, metal manufacturing and defence-related applications. Zetwerk believes the ODM model can create greater value because customers pay for design and engineering capabilities in addition to manufacturing. Design-led relationships can also make it more difficult to change suppliers because a new manufacturing partner may need to re-engineer products and processes.
According to the Redseer Report, direct engagement with customers through ODM relationships can also provide manufacturers with better understanding of market requirements and support stronger margins. Zetwerk began as an India-focused manufacturing marketplace, connecting customers with suppliers primarily for project-based capital goods requirements. Since then, it has expanded into international markets and recurring component supply while adding its own manufacturing facilities and design capabilities.
The company plans to further increase its ODM business by expanding its engineering teams and developing deeper design expertise in selected product categories. Zetwerk intends to focus on categories where product design and engineering requirements are more complex. It also plans to use a combination of its supplier network and owned manufacturing facilities to execute projects.
The company is developing category-specific design libraries and standard platforms that can help speed up product development and improve manufacturing efficiency. At the same time, Zetwerk plans to retain its capital-efficient operating model. The company said it will continue working as a manufacturing partner for customers rather than competing directly with them in their end markets.
The growing share of ODM contracts marks a change in Zetwerk’s position within the manufacturing value chain. While manufacturing remains central to its business, the company is increasingly participating in product design and development instead of only executing designs supplied by customers. Zetwerk expects the expansion of its engineering and design capabilities to create opportunities in industries where customers require specialised products, shorter development cycles and integrated design-to-manufacturing support.
