New plant opened at Savli, Hosur unit expanded
The Schaeffler Group has appointed Mr. Dharmesh Arora, a highly experienced professional in the automotive field, as the new President & CEO for its operations in India. He assumes responsibility for all the three group companies represented by INA, LuK and FAG brands and additionally the role of Chairman of INA Bearings India Private Ltd. Mr. Arora joined the company in August 2012.
Mr. Arora, who brings with him over 25 years of experience in the automotive industry, started his career at Maruti Suzuki and thereafter held several management positions at General Motors in India, Mexico, Thailand and the US. Prior to joining Schaeffler, he was the Global Purchasing Director – Powertrain at General Motors LLC, Michigan.
“We are pleased to have Mr. Arora on board as the new head of our Indian operations. I am sure that with his global expertise and management experience he will lead Schaeffler India, with our three brands – INA, LuK and FAG – to the next level of growth and customer proximity,” said Dr. Juergen M. Geissinger, CEO, Schaeffler AG. “I am confident that under his able guidance Mr. Arora will build on Schaeffler’s successful legacy of over five decades in the Indian market.”
Commenting on his appointment, Mr. Arora said: “I am honored and excited to lead this dynamic and successful organization in India. I believe we are at an important turning point in one of Schaeffler’s most strategically important growth markets. I am looking forward to working closely with our customers to address the challenges of efficiency, sustainability and affordability in the Indian automotive and industrial sectors.”
Planned Investment of 150 million Euros
Earlier this year Schaeffler announced planned investment of 150 million Euros (Rs. 1,050 crores) in India over the next three to four years for expanding the existing plants at Pune, Hosur and Vadodara, besides building a greenfield plant at Savli, near Vadodara. “These investments are in line with our strategy to strengthen Schaeffler’s manufacturing footprint in India as well as continuous development of R&D and advanced engineering capability,” said Dr. Geissinger while elaborating the company’s customer-focused growth approach – “in the region, for the region”.
More than half of the investments are now realized with the inauguration of the greenfield Savli plant and the new line at Hosur. The Savli plant manufactures Schaeffler’s most advanced low-friction deep groove ball bearings and large-sized bearings for diverse sectors such as wind energy, heavy industries and railways. The new line in Hosur produces state-of-the-art hydraulic clutch release systems that offer benefits of lower noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels as well as improved drivability while improving fuel economy.
“We are also making significant investments in R&D and engineering capabilities by adopting frugal engineering to introduce advanced products, systems and solutions customized for the Indian market. Competence built up in product development and testing capabilities will help in bringing latest technologies for engines, transmission and chassis for our automotive customers and adapting our global range of diverse bearing solutions for our industrial customers,” added Mr. Arora commenting on the company’s growth strategy.
Core industrial segments
Schaeffler has one of the widest offerings for over 60 industrial sectors and is a globally renowned and reliable partner with a wide spectrum of bearing solutions, systems and services. Schaeffler’s offering ranges from the next generation of the conventional ball bearings to large-size roller bearings, from spindle and linear bearings to direct drive systems, and also includes condition monitoring and maintenance services for the aftermarket sector.
With this portfolio, Schaeffler has become a trusted partner of customers in major industrial sectors in India, including heavy industries, power transmission, machine tools, wind energy and railways. “We have a strong focus on driving innovation in the industrial segment in India by adoption of new technologies for greater efficiency. With the concept of ‘more than a simple bearing’ we are working with our customers to develop the right solution for their requirements aiming at reducing the total cost of our customer’s operations. In this context, Schaeffler focuses on the enhancement of its service portfolio in order to increase sustainability of our customer’s operations through prevention of shutdowns and failures of the machines”, said Mr. Rajendra Anandpara, Managing Director of FAG Bearings India Ltd.