John Fowler targets overseas aftermarket

The automotive filter division of the Bangalore-based John Fowler (India) is aggressively targeting the overseas aftermarket. This will involve catering to the requirements of those regions where Indian commercial vehicles have a dominant presence and also to the Middle East. The company is also exploring the option of offering private labelling to overseas filter manufacturers. It is now in talks with four large aftermarket companies in the US and Europe.

Since its inception in 2001, John Fowler has been part of the Indian aftermarket arena. It also supplies filters to Swaraj Mazda and is in talks with Ashok Leyland, Mahindra & Mahindra and the Chennai-based engine manufacturer Simpsons. The company expects most of the business to pan out this fiscal which, in turn, will contribute to doubling turnover, said chief executive Ramesh Bhadauria.

John Fowler also plans to manufacture other auto components. It is already in talks with a large Tier-1 supplier and a decision is expected before the third quarter of this fiscal. The company is also examining the option of a joint venture or technical collaboration. John Fowler makes 182 varieties of air, oil and fuel filters consisting of both elements and spin on. It has the capacity to make 8,000 filters every day on a single shift basis.

Bhadauria said that the company is developing filters for commercial vehicles in the Middle East. It has set itself a goal of making 50 new filters within a year and will initially cater to the spares requirements of Japanese vehicles. John Fowler leverages the established processes of the parent company, John Fowler - Industrial Filter division, which started operations in 1953 at Bangalore as the sole OE supplier of filters and filter elements for engine and compressor manufacturers.

The automotive division of John Fowler banks on its automated production lines and lean manufacturing techniques for flexibility and scalability to make high volume filters and small volume special products. The company follows a single piece flow concept and every person on the shopfloor is trained in at least four operations to take care of any sudden surge in volumes. Over 40 percent of the machines are special purpose machines and in-process quality checks are provided right through the operations.

John Fowler imparts about 20 hours of training each year to employees. Each day begins with a meeting to discuss issues of the preceding 24 hours.Before calling it a day, every operator not only cleans up the machine but also prepares for the next day’s production. These initiatives have helped towards greater flexibility.