ACMA urges member companies to innovate, focus on R&D

December 19, 2013, Rudrapur/Pantnagar: ACMA, the apex body of the Indian auto component manufacturing industry, has exhorted its members to embark on a journey of innovation, R&D and new product development.

Speaking at the inauguration of the second Buyers-Sellers meet at Rudrapur/Pantnagar,chief guest S K Dubey, VP and plant head, Mahindra & Mahindra – Tractors, said, “The component industry needs to concentrate on innovation, R&D and new product development apart from quality, cost, delivery and continuous improvement, which are now considered to be a given capability. Vehicle manufacturers also need to work in close collaboration and hand-hold suppliers to upgrade them to international levels as localisation is today critical to success of OEMs, especially in light of the fast depreciation of the Indian rupee.”

The Buyers-Sellers meet saw participation from over 40 Tier 1/2/3 companies including Brakes India, Wabco, Minda Group, Rane, Lumax, Luca-TVS, Subros and JBM which showcased their latest products.

According to Rattan Kapur, chairman, ACMA Supply Chain Committee, “It has always been ACMA’s endeavour to create a platform for discovering new business opportunities for its members. The Rudrapur/Pantnager region today boasts of over 45 members and this event will help them in strengthening their supply chain. Leading OEMs including Maruti Suzuki, GM India, Hero MotoCorp, Bajaj Auto, Mahindra & Mahindra, Ashok Leyland, VE Commercial Vehicles and New Holland will send their purchasing teams to boost the business prospects of the auto component industry in this region.”

To facilitate innovation at ACMA member companies, the association has signed an MOU with the National Institute of Design (NID). The MoU will help propagate the Design Clinic Scheme under which the Ministry of Micro Small & Medium Enterprises subsidises R&D initiatives at smaller companies. An awareness program with the NID has been organised, coinciding with the Buyers-Sellers meet at Rudrapur/Pantnagar, to create awareness and encourage auto component manufacturers in the region to benefit from it.

“ACMA has recently opened its office in Rudrapur/Pantnagar to focus on business development and skill upgradation needs for its members. Several new cluster programs aimed at quality and productivity improvement have also been launched,” said Vinnie Mehta, executive director, ACMA.