IIM Mumbai students win Cummins India’s contest for study on aftermarket digitalisation  

Cummins India, one of the leading power solutions technology providers in the country, has announced the winners of its flagship B-school case study competition – REDEFINE 2023. Team Vision from Indian Institute of Management, Mumbai, emerged as the competition champion clinching the trophy and cash prize. 

Team Comeback from SP Jain Institute of Management and Research, Mumbai earned the runners-up award. Both winning teams will also be enrolled in a mentorship program with the Cummins India leadership.

Themed around ‘Unlocking the Power of Digitalisation in the Aftermarket’, this year’s edition of the annual competition drew participation from 3,752 students across 938 teams representing 18 of the country’s premier B-schools. Following rigorous evaluation rounds, six finalist teams were selected and flown to Pune to partake in the two-day grand finale. The event featured enriching leadership talks and networking opportunities, exclusive tours of the Cummins Technical Center India and the Kothrud Engine Plant and culminated with the jury evaluation round hosted at Cummins India Office Campus (IOC).

The winners (L to R): Vivek Malapathi, VP, DBU and NRPO; Ms. Anupama Kaul, HR Leader, Cummins India; Kiran TS, IIM, Mumbai; Ms. Nekkala Likhita, IIM, Mumbai; Kabilan L, IIM, Mumbai; Prasad AS, IIM, Mumbai; and Subramanian Chidambaran, Strategy Leader, Cummins India.

At the Grand Finale ceremony, the finalists presented their solutions to a panel of jury members from Cummins India that included Anupama Kaul, Human Resources Leader; Subramanian Chidambaran, Strategy Leader; and Vivek Malapati, Vice President, Distribution Business Unit and New and Recon Parts Organization. The event was attended by senior leaders and employees of the company.

Anupama Kaul, HR Leader, Cummins India, said, “REDEFINE is designed to encourage students to tackle real-world business challenges with creativity and forward-thinking solutions. This annual event is a testament to Cummins India’s rich history of nurturing young minds and fostering a growth mindset. As a jury member, I had the privilege of witnessing the exceptional talent and ingenuity that emerging young talent brought to the table. The modern solutions and creative insights presented by the competing teams were sublime. It reaffirms our strong faith in the incredible potential and capabilities of the potential leaders.”

Subramanian Chidambaran, Strategy Leader, Cummins India, added, “REDEFINE is aimed at presenting complex business scenarios to aspiring business leaders, stimulating their intellect to solve real-world challenges with a blend of creativity and acumen. Year after year, REDEFINE provides us with the invaluable opportunity to engage with the brightest minds and the future stars of the business world. Their innovative thinking and visionary solutions consistently serve as a wellspring of inspiration for us. The winning teams of REDEFINE 2023 demonstrated not only analytical skills, but also strategic thinking, and an exceptional ability to present their solutions with clarity and persuasion. I extend my heartfelt wishes to the winners and hope this competition was an enriching experience for all participants.”

Cummins India leadership and employees along with the participants for REDEFINE 2023. 

Leading up to the grand finale, Cummins India hosted a REDEFINE 2023 video podcast featuring jury members, Vivek Malapati and Subramanian Chidambaran. The podcast delved into the intricacies of the Aftermarket Distribution Network, the operational dynamics of the on-highway distribution and shed light on this year’s case study theme. To familiarise the students with the company's mission, vision, business strategy, and technology, an interactive leadership session was arranged. Adding another layer of engagement was a quiz competition that evaluated participants’ knowledge of industry trends, business dynamics, technological advancements, and their understanding of Cummins.

The six shortlisted teams who participated in the grand finale included: 
- Hellios from Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Lucknow
- The Benchwarmers from Symbiosis Centre for Management and Human Resource Development, Pune
- Vision from IIM, Mumbai
- Synergy from Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS), Mumbai
- Inquisitors from NMIMS, Mumbai
- Comeback from SP Jain Institute of Management and Research, Mumbai