Maini Precision flush with big global orders

Maini Precision Products based in Bangalore is on a roll.Big names in the global auto business have been queuing up to the extent that the company is actually sending 5-10 components for PPAP (production part approval process) every month which will continue for a few years. Maini Precision also meets the needs of the aviation industry and believes that this will grow by 25 times in four years. The recently created manufacturing line on the third floor of the new factory is busy churning out components for the likes of Snecma and Westland Transmissions.

The company makes around 1,500 part numbers for a host of industries. Thus far, its focus has been the export markets with Bosch in India being the lone exception. It now plans to focus on the localisation programmes of multinationals operating in the country, Gautam Maini, managing director, told Autocar Professional. The 25-year-old Maini Precision is capable of making large varieties of precision components even in small batches. This is because it has all the facilities in-house.

Besides, it pays attention to important details like gauging pitfalls, creating systems and foolproof mechanisms in addition to motivating employees. “Our challenge was to continuously identify what we cannot control and constantly work on how to control even those parameters,” said Maini. Development of new products from the concept stage is intertwined in the system itself. In that sense, it is a continuous process both for regular production and new product development.

Maini Precision makes machined castings, forgings and aluminum components (both extruded and diecast), shafts/axles, sub-assemblies and components for applications in hydraulics, compressors, transmissions, engines and general engineering. Most of its business comes from the auto industry while aviation, hydraulics, material handling, industrial and general engineering take up the balance.

The company recently obtained the AS9100 relocation certificate recommendation for the Bommasandra plant, which is equivalent to TS 16949. This gives it the go-ahead to make parts for the aerospace industry. Maini Precision already exports components to the aerospace industry in Canada, France, Italy, the UK and US. Its customers in the automotive industry include Bosch, Case New Holland, Deutz, Eaton, GM Powertrain, Renault and Volvo.

The company has warehouses in strategic locations like Detroit, Hagerstown and Chicago in the US, Aylesford and Stroud in the UK, Norrkoping and Gothenburg in Sweden and Lyon and Le Mans in France. Maini Precision Products received the ‘Supplier Excellence Award’ from Eaton in March. This was given to 32 top suppliers from over a list of nearly 50,000 across all divisions of Eaton. The company was also awarded the ‘Zero PPM’ certificate from Eaton Automotive Group in 2005. The aerospace team has bagged ‘Supplier of the Year Awards – 2005 finalist for emerging supplier of the year’ from Westland Transmissions of the UK.

The key to Maini Precision’s good showing lies in effective human resources development and training. As part of this effort, it established the Maini Vocational Centre in April 2005 focusing on skill development. “The training centre works on creating a learning, flexible and adaptable organisation with highly motivated and talented human resource with a positive attitude,” said Maini.