Regional Activity

NORTHERN REGION

FORGING STUDY MISSION TO JAPAN: SEPTEMBER 16-26

The second phase of the ACMA-JETRO Supporting Industry Programme for Automobile Forging 2000-2001, took a second Technical Study Mission to Japan with 6 Delegates from 5 companies. The objective – to get first hand knowledge at the shopfloor level. With JETRO organising the visit, Delegates had the opportunity to see four companies, one each of hot forging press, cold forging press, mold design manufacture, machine and assembling plant – Ichitan Co., Cold Forging

A most interesting meeting was with the Founder of the Cold Forging Industry in Japan, Mr. Hiromo – Sawabe. Feedback received from mission members by ACMA, was positive.

March 2001 will have an Expert coming out to India and visiting member companies for further improvement and to implement certain practices, at the shop –floor level, seen by the Delegates during their stay in Japan.

OCTOBER 11, 2000: NORTHERN REGION’S THREE –IN-ONE ACTIVITY packed in 3 very interesting interactions in one day, with each ending on a very successful note.

Morning: Visit To New Holland Tractors Ltd, Greater Noida

ACMA (NR) in its continuous improvement programme on "interaction with OEMs" took members to the New Holland Tractors’ Factory at Greater Noida and was met by Mr. John Edwin – Plant Head; Mr. R. Thanumurthy – Senior Manager (Purchase) and Mr. S.Y. Siddiqui- Senior Manager (HR). The presentations made by them, highlighted-

(a) World Status

No. 1 leader world-wide in agricultural machinery

No. 2 in construction machinery

(b) Production

Started production – April 1998

600-700 tractors – per month

Overall capacity – 30,000 per annum in 2 shifts

2 models produced –70 & 50 h.p.

(c) Plans

The new 35 h.p. tractor, shortly to be under production with 100% localization from day one.

(d) Current

Imports engines- soon plans to procure from Ashok Leyland lveco

(e) Associates Concept

Workers known as "Associates"- gives dignity and boosts team Spirit

The plant visit was impressive; a tremendous success and very well appreciates by the Delegation of 35, which included ACMA President Mr. L. Ganesh and Vice President Mr. K. Kejriwal.

Mr. Palani Kumar, Managing Director, along with senior colleagues joined the ACMA dinner jointly hosted by Mr. Deep Kapuria (Chairperson & M.D. Hi-Tech Gears Ltd) and Mr. Jayant Davar (Executive Committee Member & M.D. Sandhar Locking Devices Ltd.)