Around 150 suppliers from India and abroad participated in a Supplier Conference hosted by Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (M&M) from May 15 – 18, 2011 in Seoul, Korea. This is the second consecutive year when M&M has organized a joint supplier meet for both its Automotive and Farm divisions. Also invited were common suppliers of its Swaraj division, Mahindra Navistar and Mahindra Reva. The gathering also included 30 SsangYong suppliers.
Dr. Pawan Goenka, President – AFS (Automotive & Farm Equipment Sector) M&M, who is also the President of SIAM, shared insights on the global and domestic automotive scenario and also spoke about how Mahindra would expand its global footprint with the acquisition of Ssangyong Motor Company. The New Rise initiative of the Mahindra Group which is built on the three pillars of Accept No Limits, Alternative Thinking and Driving Positive Change was also introduced to the suppliers.
“The Supplier meet was an ideal opportunity for us to discuss challenges faced by the Indian automobile industry such as impact of input costs, hike in interest rates and rising commodity prices. The possibility of opting for appropriate areas of cost advantages in the zone of new technology and new processes was also discussed. It was also an occasion to share efforts made by the supplier community to change the image of the Indian auotmotive industry,” said Mr. Rajan Wadhera, Chief Executive TPDS (Technology Product Development & Sourcing), Automotive Sector.
Sourcing and operational heads of Strategic Sourcing, Auto Division, Farm Division, Swaraj Division, Mahindra Vehicle Manufacturing Ltd, Mahindra Navistar Automotive Ltd. and Mahindra Reva addressed the gathering and gave insights, into how F11 unfolded for M&M both in terms of achievements as well as areas where improvement is required. Mahindra also spoke of its expectations from its suppliers.
The conference was followed by an award ceremony later in the evening. The Suppliers’ performance during F11 was recognized, and awards were handed over in various categories like Business Partner of the Year, Best Quality Performance, Best VAVE Performance, Best Product Development Performance, Best SCM performance, Best Sustainability Initiative, Best Spares Business Performance, etc. The Sanjeevani Award was presented for extraordinary efforts taken by suppliers during a crisis, while the President’s Award was presented to M/s. Bosch Ltd & M/s. Fritzmeier Motherson Cabin Engg. Ltd.for Best Overall Performance.
