Roughly 17km west of Kolkata lies a factory that makes air springs, a component used in the suspension systems of cars. The factory is owned and run by Gibraltar Airsprings, a mid-sized company named after the city on the southern tip of the Iberian peninsula.
This company has been rigorous about obtaining the latest certifications in manufacturing quality for the past two decades. A large chunk of its business comes from exports. And as such, it wants to stay on top of the requirements of ever-altering regulation.
Over the years, the company has obtained several International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) certifications. More recently, it obtained an environmental, social and governance (ESG) certificate. In 2022, a few quality experts asked the company to obtain a zero effect zero defect (ZED) certificate to show its compliance on 20 sustainability parameters—including leadership, quality management and environment management.
Gibraltar Airsprings returned with gold—the highest certification status—meeting all 20 parameters of the ZED scheme within days. But the success Gibraltar has had is rare and does not do much in the way of the government’s efforts to make micro-, small- and medium-enterprises (MSMEs) environmentally sustainable in the long run. “The ZED certification seems to be a good start in terms of adopting sustainable practices among small and new enterprises but for a company like Gibraltar, which already has ESG certifications, it adds nothing,” says Arpan Basu, director of marketing and product development at Gibraltar Airsprings.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
'Automation is Redefining Efficiency and Precision in Jewellery Manufacturing'
Increasing brand consciousness and awareness among consumers is helping expand the organised jewellery retail industry. MP Ahammed, chairman of Malabar Group, discusses prominent trends in the jewellery industry
BATTLE TO WIN THE AI RACE
In Supremacy, Parmy Olson tells the astonishing and behind-the-scenes story of the battle between the world’s two leading artificial intelligence firms, OpenAl and DeepMind and the continuing rivalry of its founders Sam Altman and Demis Hassabis respectively
A LEADER WHO EMPOWERS
Anshul Arzare, MD and CEO of YES SECURITIES, wants to ensure a workplace where employees not only contribute to the company's vision but also feel content
EV Unplugged
Electric vehicles are crucial to India’s climate change plan. But reliance on China for imports and technology constraints remain hurdles the sector needs to overcome
Every Lamborghini Owner is a Brand Ambassador
Regional director of Automobili Lamborghini, Francesco Scardaoni, talks to Prachi Khanna about the brand’s approach to fostering a sense of community among its vehicle owners. Edited excerpts
NO ZEST FOR ZED
A government initiative to green MSMEs is not finding enough takers
SMALL PLANTS, BIG TROUBLE
Climate-triggered stress is placing an unprecedented burden on small businesses. But a lack of access to climate aid hinders the sector's ability to adopt greener methods
'We Think About the Rider More Than Any Other Company
Rapido co-founder Aravind Sanka talks to Neeraj Thakur and Deepsekhar Choudhury about how flexibility and fair pay helped his company disrupt the Ola-Uber duopoly. Edited excerpts
LABOUR PANGS
Rising cost of living in a fast-growing economy is making workers restless
'Hustle is No Virtue'
It has become fashionable to talk about the verb “hustle” these days, especially in professional settings.
