The Jaipur-based National Engineering Industries (NEI), India’s largest bearings manufacturer and leading exporter, has been conferred with the 2015 Deming Grand Prize – the world’s oldest and most widely recognised quality award. Rohit Saboo, president and CEO, NEIL, received this award in Tokyo, Japan on behalf of the company on November 11, at the Keidanren Kaikan. NEIL is the maker of the premier brand NBC Bearings and part of the CK Birla Group, a US$ 1.6 billion diversified business conglomerate.

In the past year, NEI has commissioned its fourth plant in Savali, Gujarat with an investment of Rs 500 crores. Now with the four manufacturing plants spread across – Jaipur, Newai, Manesar and Baroda (Savli), NEI has become the largest manufacturer of bearings in India with a capacity of 100 million bearings in more than a 1,000 sizes. It exports to the automotive industry across the globe in the two- wheeler, passenger car and commercial vehicle segments. NEI registered an overall turnover of Rs 1,500 crore in FY14-15 and exports have grown seven-fold over the last five years from $5 million in 2009 to $35 million in FY 2015.

Commenting on the occasion, Rohit Saboo, president and CEO, NEIL, said, “We are extremely privileged to join the distinguished list of companies across the globe that have been conferred with the Deming Grand Prize which has been awarded to NEI in 2015. This award is yet another example of NEI's growing manufacturing prowess and quality processes. Being conferred upon with this award signifies our commitment to manufacturing excellence and the benchmarks we have set for ourselves over the last six decades. With the support of our customers, employees, vendors and all other stakeholders, our journey over the years has been exciting and this award is a tremendous inspiration for us to move on with the winning spirit and achieve new heights.”

He added, “Over the years, we have been able to establish ourselves as a dependable partner who is focussed on adapting to ever changing customer environments through consistent investment in technology. Our commitment to customers has been one of the key enablers helping us stand in good stead vis-à-vis our competition.”

The Deming Grand Prize recognizes both individuals and businesses for their contribution to the field of Total Quality Management (TQM). Demonstration of consistent commitment to manufacturing excellence through TQM has been the driving force behind the company being conferred upon this prestigious global award.

In 2010, NEIL was also conferred with the Deming Prize. According to the process of assessment for this prestigious award, an organization may apply for the Deming Grand Prize three years or more (including the award year) after it has received the Deming Prize. When it is recognized that an applicant's implementation of TQM has improved substantially beyond the level at the time it won the Deming Prize, the organization is awarded the Deming Grand Prize.

Headquartered in Jaipur, NEI is part of the CK Birla Group. Having started with 30,000 bearings in 19 sizes in 1946, NEI today manufactures over 100 million bearings each year in more than 1,000 sizes to serve a host of customers across India and 21 other countries in five continents. NEI also serves the Indian aftermarket through a countrywide network of 550 authorized stockists. With an employee strength of over 2,700 people and four manufacturing plants in Jaipur, Newai (Rajasthan), and Manesar (Haryana) and Savli (Gujarat), the company is equipped with global manufacturing and process technology and one of the best R&D centres in the country.