Manatec, the Pondicherry-based garage equipment manufacturer, has bagged the kaizen (continuous improvement) award for the fourth straight year.

The annual competition, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industries - Southern Region, saw participation from over 150 companies this year. 

This year Manatec has won kaizen awards under two categories. The first is for process improvement in electronics to test the wheel balancer motor control PCB assembly by ensuring safety methods while handling 240 volts. The second category includes manufacturing improvement in mechanical CNC machine shop to increase productivity of rim locking pin machining and ensuring precise quality.

Manatec, which practices TQM (Total Quality Management), is known for its innovative product development with high quality and competes with international brands. The company exports its products to over 60 countries worldwide. 

Earlier this year, the company launched a battery of new products at the Auto Expo 2016. The big launch was of the Jumbo 3D multi-axle wheel aligner, which is targeted at commercial vehicle maintenance workshops. This equipment can simultaneously handle alignment for five-axle trucks and saves one-third of the time taken by conventional machines. 

Another new development is the Genie 3D developed by Manatec in India for aligning wheels of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. This innovative 3D wheel aligner in-built lift not only saves space but is extremely user friendly, claims the company. Other new products include a tyre pressure monitoring gauge and an AC gas charger. Manatec says it has been regularly upgrading its technology by introducing various model ranges to suit customer needs. 

The company, aided by its local R&D team, offers customised solutions to OEMs and other customers. Manatec has over 60 business associates spread across India and over 50 distributors worldwide, along with over 300 technical and marketing professionals. On the export front, the company will be entering the US market this year. It already supplies to 55 countries worldwide.  

Established in 1987, as a manufacturer of industrial shaft alignment systems, Manatec has diversified into garage equipment industry in 1991. The company, through its in-house R&D, indigenously designed and developed optical wheel alignment systems in 1991, to become the first company to design a wheel aligner in Asia.