'Our goal this year is to hit the target with both Indian and global customers.'

Sunjay Kapur, chairman of Sona Koyo Steering Systems Ltd, speaks on the company's exhibits at the Auto Expo Components Show (Hall 11, Stall No. 14). An interview by Shobha Mathur.

What products and services is Sona Koyo displaying at this year’s Auto Expo show and how different will they be from earlier years?
Sona Koyo is displaying all its capabilities for the passenger car, commercial vehicle and off-highway vehicle industry. We are participating in the Auto Expo together with all Sona Group companies and displaying all components related to steering systems, driveline systems and precision forging components. We will also present our PDC and stamping competency to serve various industries.

How much space has been taken by Sona Koyo and what is the stall number?
The highlight of the Expo is to see some serious business and supply related discussions as the component and car shows are separate, which means we will only get the relevant crowd who would be visiting for business-related activity.

This time since we are participating as a Group, we have taken a space of 120 square metres. We have taken the most prominent location in Hall No 11. Our stall number is 14, just at the entrance gate from the German Pavilion side.

What is your expectation from this year’s show?
This time our goal is to hit the target not only with the Indian customer but with the international customer as well. We would like to strengthen our supply chain with networking and new suppliers.

How many times has the company participated at the show previously and how useful has it been in terms of furthering the business, or winning new customers?
This is the seventh time that Sona is participating in the show; each time we show various versions of our manufactured components as well as new product development. We display our technology and exhibit our design competent capability. Sona being the pioneer in the industry, almost all the major vehicle manufacturing companies know us but then also this type of show has always helped us in spreading the knowhow among various departmental employees of our customers which enables us to strengthen our relationship. It also imparts to us the platform for both suppliers and customers to get in touch for new product development activity.