CEAT’s Chennai plant joins WEF Global Lighthouse Network

CEAT, a leading Indian tyre manufacturer, said its Chennai plant has been inducted into the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Lighthouse Network, and this makes CEAT the first tyre brand globally to have two facilities recognized by the network, with its Halol plant being the first.

The recognition highlights CEAT’s commitment to adopting Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies at scale to drive innovation and operational excellence, the company said in a press release.

The Global Lighthouse Network identifies manufacturing facilities that demonstrate transformative outcomes through 4IR technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), robotics, and advanced analytics. CEAT’s Chennai plant has achieved measurable improvements, including an 18% reduction in cycle times, a 31% improvement in operational costs, and a 47% reduction in scope 1 and 2 emissions through eco-efficiency initiatives.

Speaking about the recognition, Anant Goenka, Vice Chairman of the RPG Group, highlighted the deployment of advanced digital solutions at the Chennai plant, which has improved dispatch turnaround by 54% and labour productivity by 25%. Over 80% of the plant’s workforce has been equipped with digital tools to enable data-driven decision-making and automation-enhanced workflows.

Jayasankar Kuruppal, Senior Vice President, Manufacturing at CEAT, noted the Chennai plant’s integration of advanced technologies to redefine productivity benchmarks while prioritizing sustainability. The recognition underscores CEAT’s position as a leader in global manufacturing excellence.

As a member of the Global Lighthouse Network, CEAT joins a platform for collaboration and knowledge sharing with global leaders in manufacturing innovation. This milestone reinforces CEAT’s role in advancing sustainable and technologically advanced manufacturing practices.