COMPONENT ZONE

E AD AS Manufacturing excellence fa over 7 decades

A

By R. Natarajan, Managing Editor & Publisher

RANE MADRAS LTD. (RML), the

flagship company of the Rane Group,

stepped into the 76th year of its dedi­

cated service in the Indian market. The com­

pany, known for its manufacturing excellence,

makes steering and suspension linkage prod­

ucts and steering gear products for passenger

and commercial vehicles as well as farm trac­

tors. The company has been regularly receiving

rewards and recognitions for its continuous

product improvements and innovations.

In an exclusive interview with Ms. Gowri

Kailasam, President, Steering and L inkage

Products, RML, we find out more on the

company 's focus on total quality management

(TQM) and its core strengths.

"RML has been continuously improving over

the last five years. We focus on the culture of

our employees who work relentlessly and have

been showing constant improvemenl, which

is the key to our success. After the implemen­

tation of TQM, our productivity improved,

equipment utilisation was enhanced, product

quality improved and the new product timeli ne

reduced. Overall, our response to customers

was much better than before. It's a holistic

approach which touches every individual who

is part of the company . All these initiatives led

us to receive the 'Deming Application Prize '

in 2007. After winning the DAP, the company

did a self-diagnosis of all the areas of improve­

ment, and as a result we were able to achieve

Ms. Gowri Ka i'asam, Presiden" and Li Produds, RML

32 MOTOR/NDIA I September 2013

COMPONENT ZONE

industry going through an acute

slowdown over the last year-and­

a-half, most companies are utilis­

ing this phase as an opportunity

to strengthen inherent capabilities

hy working on new product devel­

opment and innovations. RML's

the prestigious 'Deming Grand Since there is a lot of competition specific R&D fOCLI. areas include

Prize' in 2012", says Ms. Gowri, from international players in the product technology for mechani ­

the first lady President. component industry. our focLls is cal rack and pinion for deploying

As a result of its unique TQM ap­ more on R&D. W e are working on with electric power steering (EPS),

proach, RML has hrought down the product innovation in hydraulics for with focLls on attenuating friction

PPM level across all its plants from farm tractors, hydrostatic units and and noise, development of E PS for

around 300 five years ago to an hydraulic cylinders. We are also small commerc ial vehicles and farm

impressive figure of 20 at present. looking at catering to niche markets tractors, hydraulic products for

RML is one among the 25 com­ such as golf carts and ATVs where farm tractors, commercial vehicles

panies at the global level

to be awarded the DGP

over the past two decades.

The company has also won

awards for 2012-J3like

the 'Over All Perfonn­

ance Award' from Tata

Motors, 'Best Supplier

Award' from TAFE for overall we see huge potential. " and off-road vehicles, ball joints for

performance, and the award for In its initial years, the company vehicular suspens ion application

superior performance in the field of was largely dependent on the I ndi an and compact steering. fo r low hp

quality and delivery improvement market, especially the OEM seg­ farm lractors .

from Maruti Suzuki. Also received ment, but gradually started focllsi nb Nearly 60 per cent of RML's

is the MMA A ward for Manage­ on the export market as well. It has tu rnover is from the OEM segment,

rial Excellence in June last. These had strong trade relations with the while exports and aftermarket make

awards, Ms. Gowri says, drive the US, European nations, Japan and up for Lh~ halance. Accounting for

company's workforce and keep its Thailand, the latest additions heing close to 23 per cen t of its turnover,

morale high. Brazil and China. The greater focus RML is a maj(lr conlributor to the

Referring to RML's future invest­ on these markets resulted in a 20 Rane Group's growth.

ments, Ms. Gowri ohserves: "We per cent growth in exports last year.

are making prudent investments. With the country's automotive •

MOTORINDIA I September 2013 33