Madras Engineering Industries Ltd. (MEI) has been manufacturing a variety of components for the domestic and the global automotive industry for more than five decades. It began turning out manual slack adjusters for air brake systems for light, medium and heavy commercial vehicles in 1982, a move that has enabled it to emerge as the world’s second largest slack adjuster manufacturer.
Mr. Sriram Sivaram, Director, MEI, who now heads the professionally-run family-owned firm, speaks about the company’s business plans, rising global aspirations, upcoming products, and lots more.
Excerpts:Please give us an update on the current market scenario. How is the mood in the industry and how is business at MEI?
Our business is quite dependent on the Indian medium and heavy commercial vehicle market. In my honest opinion, no one currently knows what’s happening in this market. The year 2018-19 was a very mixed one for our industry.
Starting from October 2017 the growth was very aggressive, with the component industry not being able to keep up with the demand of the OEMs. But by June 2018, when the new axle load norm was announced, there were many ups and downs and a lot of uncertainty which still continues.
Ignoring the short term volatility, we have seen a good five years of growth in the industry. Historically, this industry segment has seen a downturn after every growth phase of four to five years. The question this time is when will we see the downturn. The upcoming scrappage norms and the BS-VI transition are significant regulatory issues which can cause the market to behave differently. As for our business in the global market, we have done quite well.
What kind of production capacities do you have at present? Where are your investments directed towards?
The auto component industry in India has usually been hesitant to invest in capacities ahead of the market demand, while the OEMs have generally invested ahead of us. MEI has traditionally invested ahead of the market; we have a track record of being at least six to 12 months ahead of others in the industry.
この記事は MOTORINDIA の April 2019 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は MOTORINDIA の April 2019 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
ATS ELGI launches new range of equipment for CV segment
GARAGE EQUIPMENT
VECV delivers 50 CNG buses to PMPML in Pune
VEHICLE ZONE
Lucas TVS chosen as one of India's best workplaces in auto industry
The certification was done by The Great Place to Work Institute which works with the purpose of giving companies an opportunity to benchmark their practices that make every workplace unique for employees
JAMNA AUTO launches new trailer air suspension, bullish on market success
Understanding the pulse of the Indian customers, drivers and operating conditions, the home-grown company has come up with an ‘Indian product for Indian roads at Indian price’, reports N. Balasubramanian
Bridgestone drives Saabri Logistics' advancement with top-notch end-to-end tyre management
It is never easy for a fleet operator to strike the right balance between tight revenues and rising fuel and parts’ costs. However, if chosen wisely, important elements such as tyres can help in business advancement. Rajesh Rajgor finds this to be true in the case of Saabri Logistics
ZF to invest Euro 200 million as part of ‘Refresh India' strategy
ZF has announced a significant investment of around Euro 200 million as part of a strategic consolidation of its business domains with renewed impetus to drive growth in the Indian market over the next decade.
Chasing records, making roads, with Tata trucks
Jagdish Kadam, Chairman & Managing Director, Raj Path InfraCon shares details with MOTORINDIA about striving to create a world record for the longest road constructed in 24 hours, his company operations, and his fruitful association with Tata Motors.
IPL-Shaw JV for DEF solutions takes flight!
Commenting on this development, Gautam Venkataramani, Director, IPL Shaw Solutions India, said, “India Pistons Limited’s customer experience, local manufacturing strength over 60+ years with research and development and application engineering expertise will be used to provide DEF system solutions with light-weighting, performance-oriented approach leading to CAFE focus.”
What COVID has taught the resilient auto retail industry
In this special Guest Column, Vinkesh Gulati, President, Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA), shares his observations and views on how the Indian automotive retail sector has weathered the COVID storm and the key learnings and takeaways from the experience
“Cautiously optimistic on growth as COVID continues, emphasis on strong exports and aftermarket” - Vinnie Mehta
Contributing more than 6% to the nation’s GDP as per reports in April 2021, the Indian automotive industry in its entirety provides employment to about ‘37 million people’.
