September 12, 2012: ACMA has announced a change of guard at its helm for 2012-13. Surinder Kanwar, managing director of Bharat Gears and Raunaq International, has been appointed president while Harish Lakshman, vice-chairman of Rane Engine Valve and managing director of Rane TRW Steering System, is the new vice-president.

Kanwar, an industry veteran for the past four decades, was ACMA’s vice-president in 2011-12 and chairman of ACMA Western Region from 2006 to 2010. He was also the chairman of ACMA’s Technical Panel during 2001-2002 and chairman of the Raw Material Committee during 2005-2006. Harish Lakshman, an engineer from BITS Pilani and an MBA from the Purdue University, USA, has also been ACMA chairman for the Southern Region for the period 2009-11.

Speaking on ACMA’s vision for the coming year, Kanwar said, “We shall continue to build and strengthen ACMA’s agenda through focus on R&D, innovation and new product development through symbiotic relationships with our customers as also exploring newer opportunities for our membership for sustaining the industry competitiveness. We would also continue to engage closely with the government on various issues critical to the auto component industry. I would also like to thank Arvind Kapur, our outgoing president for his significant contribution and wish him all the success for the future."