CODISSIA started functioning in the year 1969 with 40 members and now the membership strength base has crossed 5200. The Association serves for the growth and prosperity of industries and it has made a significant contribution towards building a strong and stable industrial city of Coimbatore. The Association besides functioning as a grievance redressed unit is functioning as a development oriented Association conducting series of Seminars / Training Programmes / Exhibitions / Industrial Trade Fairs / Industrial visits etc. so as to develop and create awareness among industrial entrepreneurs. CODISSIA represents in all Advisory and Consultative Committees at the District / State and National Levels and plays a leading role in policy formulation and grievance redressed for the Small scale Industries.

     In short CODISSIA has dedicated itself to the cause of small-scale industries and has made a mark at the District/State and National levels by its selfless service to SSIs in a variety of ways. The Association renders guidance and help to the new entrepreneurs in the identification of products, preparation of project reports, getting financial assistance from banks etc. and licenses from various departments. With a view to install quality as the basic requirements of Small Scale Industry CODISSIA and SIEMA had established in 1986 a testing Centre called Small Industries Testing and Research Centre (SiTARC) with financial assistance of IDBI etc. It has been recognized as one of the best testing centers in our Country.

     The Association is publishing its fortnightly journal (CODISSIA BULLETIN) from 1973 to convey valuable information relating to industries to the members and officers of Departments connected with Small Industries and Industries Associations in Tamil Nadu.

     CODISSIA has been organizing INTEC Industrial Trade Fair once in 3 years for a duration of 10 days each right from 1988 Viz. 1988, 1991, 1994, 1997, in the PSG Grounds. From the year 2000 the fairs are conducted in its own CODISSIA Trade Fair Complex. This trade fair has developed the image of CODISSIA so as to find a place in the World Trade Fair Map and Global developments exposed in this region instantaneously. These Trade Fairs provide a platform for Small Industries to come internationally and earn valuable foreign exchange.

     As mentioned above CODISSIA has been conducting with great success. Industrial Trade Fairs in the name of INTEC and considering the growing demand for the Trade Fairs and the inadequate facility to accommodate all the aspiring participants in the PSG Grounds CODISSIA decided to set up a Permanent Trade Fair Complex at Coimbatore not only to conduct INTEC Trade Fairs comfortably, but also to help other Trade Fair Organizers to use the infrastructural facilities for the betterment of Trade and Industry at Coimbatore. Coimbatore industrial city is located in the South India which is very ideal to host fairs and exhibitions of various fields and industries. CODISSIA secured a compact area of 40 acres in Vilankurichi Village, adjoining to Coimbatore City, which is opposite to Coimbatore Institute of Technology on the northern side of Avanashi Road. The Association, by mobilizing funds from CODISSIA and getting loan from SIDBI, has constructed a palatial building in a plinth area of 1,60,000 sq.ft. At a total cost of Rs. 11 crores.

     This building not having pillars at all, has been constructed at a record time of 160 days during the months from July to December '99. This is a marvelous achievement to demonstrate the selfless and untiring work done by hundreds of members as a team. This Complex building is a standing example as a sign for the teamwork done by members of CODISSIA.  CODISSIA Trade Fair Complex is equal to the Trade Fair Complex in the Pragathi Maidan at New Delhi. This is the first Trade Fair Complex in South India having all infrastructural facilities for conducting International level Trade Fairs. 

     CODISSIA had also conducted AGRI INTEX  (International Agricultural Exhibition) jointly organized by CODISSIA and Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore for a period of 6 days in each occasion during August of every year.

     CODISSIA has signed Memorandum of Understanding with Technical Institutions of PSG College of Technology, Kumaraguru College of Technology, Karunya Institute of Technology, Nachimuthu Polytechnic, Pollachi, Government Polytechnic for Women, Coimbatore, Bannariamman Institute of Technology, Sathyamangalam, Amrita Institute of Technology and Science, Ettimadai for the purpose of having close interaction among the Technical Institutions and Industries.

     CODISSIA is the only District Level Association in the whole of India to have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with (VDMA) Plant and Machinery Manufacturers Association, Bavarian Section of West Germany to work jointly to assist the members in identifying new technologies promote joint ventures, Technology transfers and to send trade delegation etc. to Foreign Countries like Germany.

     With co-sponsorship from ZDH Partnership Program CODISSIA has started a Business Information Centre in the office and provided all infrastructural facilities to extend services and help to the members in developing their business, marketing, getting information about the Foreign Importers, addresses of various organizations, Govt. Departments throughout the Country.  

     CODISSIA has also made arrangements to render services to the members through Sub-contracting Exchange in the Association for getting job orders to the member industries from various organizations, Govt. undertakings etc. and for this scheme the Development Commissioner (SSI) Ministry of SSI has given an outright grant for the provision of Computers, Printers, Software, Furnitures etc. 

   Bureau Verities International, London (BVQI) has conferred CODISSIA with ISO 9001:2000 quality certification.   

     CODISSIA has been making representations incessantly to the Government of India as well as Government of Tamil Nadu and various heads of departments connected with industries to solve the problems of small and tiny industries then and there as detailed above. 

     At this time, when the Small Industries are facing severe competition due to globalization and free trade by WTO agreements, CODISSIA has taken up the task of preparing the industries of Coimbatore Region to meet the challenges by focusing on proper planning and adopting quickly to the changes taking place. CODISSIA believes in achievements and Coimbatore with abundant entrepreneurial spirit trained and talented manpower and managerial skills will emerge still stronger. The dream and ambition of CODISSIA is to build a greater industrial India that will add to all round human happiness and global prosperity.