Vistara, Now First Airline in India to Implement Robotic Aircraft Exterior Cleaning

Mumbai, 09 June 2023: Vistara, India’s leading full-service carrier and a joint venture of Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines, announced yet another industry-first initiative of implementing Aerowash, an automated aircraft exterior washing and cleaning solution introduced by AeroTech Support Services Pvt. Ltd. Operated by a user friendly and wireless remote control, Aerowash is equipped with several safety features and alarm indicators. Its efficient micro-fiber brush drum provides a superior cleaning result of the aircraft exterior surface using a nearly waterless, dry-wash process.

This cutting-edge technology reiterates Vistara’s commitment towards adopting innovative solutions to enhance operational efficiencies while also reducing its carbon footprint. Aircraft detailing (or cleaning) is a critical aspect of maintenance in the aviation industry. Traditionally, it has relied on manual labor, which can be time-consuming, resource-intensive and prone to human error. However, this mechanised program is not only time efficient but also sustainable. It reduces aerodynamic drag caused due to the accumulation of dirt, dust, grime, etc., and ultimately reduces the aircraft weight. This directly translates to enhanced fuel efficiency by minimising fuel burn.

By meticulously maintaining the cleanliness and integrity of the aircraft’s exterior, this innovative approach will safeguard against structural damage, prevent corrosion caused by environmental factors and oil/fluid leakages, and extend the lifespan of the aircraft. Vistara has been conducting demo/proof of concept of AeroWash for sometime.

Pankaj Handa, Senior Vice President – Ground Operations, Vistara said, “We are delighted to become India’s first carrier to implement this one-of-a-kind initiative that underscores our unwavering commitment to invest in innovative, purpose-driven technologies since inception. This is yet another step as part of our ongoing efforts towards enhancing efficiencies across various areas of our operations through automation while also constantly looking at improved, and more sustainable ways to do business.”

Dr. Ashwani Khanna, Executive Director, AeroTech Support Services Pvt. Ltd. said, “We are excited to get associated with Vistara as it becomes the first airline to adopt this futuristic technology after a detailed assessment. Vistara is the first airline in India to sign up for this solution and lead the way for other airlines to follow. I am also happy with how the relationship with AISATS has evolved to a collaborative partnership that has the potential to have a deep positive impact on the entire industry in the coming years.”

Vistara is India’s highest-rated airline on Skytrax and TripAdvisor, and it has been the winner of several ‘Best Airline’ awards, besides being lauded for world-class cabin cleanliness and upholding high safety standards. The airline has recently been featured amongst World’s Top 20 Airlines while being recognised as the ‘Best Airline in India and Southern Asia’ for the second time in a row, ‘Best Airline Staff Service in India and Southern Asia’ for the fourth consecutive year, ‘Best Cabin Crew in India and Southern Asia’ for the second time in a row and ‘Best Business Class in India and Southern Asia’ at the coveted Skytrax World Airline Awards 2022. Vistara was also named the ‘Best Overall Airline’ in Central/Southern Asia at the 2023 Regional Passenger Choice Awards. Additionally, Vistara had recently received the ch-aviation Asia’s Third Youngest Airline Fleet award for the second consecutive year.

Lean Manufacturing: Efficiency is first priority

Lean manufacturing principles can play a crucial role in the electric vehicle (EV) industry in India. The application of lean manufacturing can enhance operational efficiency, reduce waste, and improve overall productivity in EV manufacturing plants. Lean manufacturing is an approach that focuses on maximizing efficiency, reducing waste, and optimizing processes within a manufacturing system. It has gained significant importance in the electric vehicle (EV) industry worldwide, including in India. The Indian EV industry is rapidly growing, and implementing lean manufacturing principles can help enhance productivity, quality, and competitiveness. Here are some key areas where lean principles can be beneficial in the EV industry:

Value Stream Mapping (VSM): VSM helps identify and eliminate non-value-added activities, reducing waste and improving process flow. By implementing VSM in EV manufacturing, companies can streamline their production processes, optimize material flow, and eliminate bottlenecks, resulting in increased productivity and reduced lead times. Work-in-process (WIP) limits on the kanban board help team manage capacity. With this information, it’s now quite easier to see and eliminate normal sources of process waste, returning focus to the customer.

Just-in-Time (JIT) Production: JIT is a core principle of lean manufacturing that aims to eliminate waste by producing and delivering components or materials just when they are needed in the production process. JIT can help EV manufacturers reduce inventory costs, minimize storage space requirements, and improve cash flow by avoiding excess inventory.

Standardized Work: Implementing standardized work processes ensures consistency, reduces errors, and facilitates continuous improvement. In the EV industry, standardized work can be applied to assembly lines, quality control processes, and maintenance activities, leading to improved efficiency and product quality.

Error-proofing (Poka-Yoke): Error-proofing techniques, also known as poka-yoke, involve designing processes and systems in a way that prevents or detects errors before they occur or reach the customer. Implementing such measures can significantly reduce defects, rework, and warranty costs.

Continuous Improvement (Kaizen): Encouraging a culture of continuous improvement is essential in the EV industry to identify and eliminate waste, inefficiencies, and defects. By implementing Kaizen practices, such as employee involvement, problem-solving techniques, and regular process audits, EV manufacturers can drive innovation, increase productivity, and enhance overall product quality.

Total Productive Maintenance (TPM): TPM focuses on equipment reliability and aims to minimize equipment downtime, defects, and breakdowns. In the EV industry, implementing TPM practices can help ensure the maximum availability of manufacturing equipment, reduce maintenance costs, and optimize production output.

Employee Involvement and Training: Engaging and empowering employees is vital for lean manufacturing success. Providing training and involving employees in process improvement initiatives can lead to increased motivation, innovation, and a greater sense of ownership amongst the workforce. Companies can establish cross-functional teams or suggestion systems to encourage employee involvement in problem-solving and waste-reduction efforts.

Pull System: The pull system turnover the script by emphasizing and helping co-workers finish current tasks before they start the new ones. Throughout the process, when one piece is done, workers notify one another, and the next person can work on the project as soon as  their available capacity allows. As a result, morale, productivity, and efficiency get a boost.

Supplier Collaboration: Lean principles extend beyond the manufacturing facility to the entire supply chain. Collaborating closely with suppliers can help streamline the inbound logistics, reduce lead times, improve quality control, and ensure timely delivery of components, enhancing overall efficiency in the EV manufacturing process.

Lean manufacturing takes you a little closer to customers because they become the top priority. Visualize what could help your team become more systematic and put lean systems in place to find success. By implementing lean manufacturing principles, the EV industry in India can achieve cost savings, improved quality, increased productivity, and a more sustainable production process. It is important for companies to assess their specific manufacturing processes, identify areas for improvement, and tailor lean practices accordingly to maximize their benefits in the context of the EV industry. 

Pankaj Goyal

The author is the Co-Founder & COO of AutoNxt Automation (https://autonxt.in) India’s First electric tractor venture and an automation technology startup.

Unleashing a Chess Storm: Berlin is ready for the Armageddon Championship Series: Europe & Africa on June 12th

World Chess, a leading chess organization, seeks to captivate chess enthusiasts with its upcoming Europe and Africa week of the Armageddon Championship Series. Kickstarting on June 12th, the high-stakes event will follow the same dramatic format and immense time pressure constraints as the previous Armageddon events.

This enthralling tournament will witness the participation of eight exceptional players from the Europe and Africa region, including Michael Adams (England), MaximeVachier-Lagrave (France), Richard Rapport (Romania), Jan-Krzysztof Duda (Poland), Jorden van Foreest (Netherlands), Vincent Keymer (Germany), as well as Matthias Bluebaum and Alexander Donchenko, both of whom qualified successfully through online qualifiers on the FIDE Online Arena. This star-studded lineup will battle it out in a double-elimination format, with daily matches consisting of two blitz games with the potential for an additional Armageddon game if a victory does not emerge.

The winner and runner-up will join an exciting roster of finalists in the Grand Finale to be held at World Chess’ newly opened Chess Club in Berlin, where they will compete against Wesley So, Sam Shankland, Gukesh D, NodirbekAbdusattorov, BibisaraAssaubayeva, and Humpy Koneru for the total prize of €200,000.

The tournament will follow a dramatic format with daily matches consisting of two blitz games (three minutes plus a two-second move increment) and, if necessary, an Armageddon game (five minutes for White, four for Black). Novelties such as live displays of the players’ heart rates and calories burned data points make the Series a riveting spectacle for viewers.

The Armageddon series is being broadcast on 17 television channels worldwide, as well as World Chess’ official YouTube channel, with expert commentary and analysis provided by Grandmaster Simon Williams and International Master JovankaHouska every day at 19:00 CEST.

For the first few days, the players were divided into pairs as follows:

Day 1, June 12
Michael Adams (England) — Jan-Krzysztof Duda (Poland)
Vincent Keymer (Germany) — Alexander Donchenko

Day 2, June 13
Richard Rapport (Romania) — Jorden van Foreest (Netherlands)
Matthias Bluebaum (Germany) — MaximeVachier-Lagrave (France)
Ilya Merenzon, Chief Executive Officer of World Chess: “It has been fantastic to watch the global accumulation of chess players come together to compete in the Armageddon series. As we now head towards the Grand Finale it has been a real joy to watch the fast-paced matches between chess players of different experiences, playing styles and nationalities.

“The series has created an atmosphere of suspense and excitement and highlighted the benefits of embracing innovative formats such as Armageddon, enabling top-level chess to entice a broader audience and ignite greater passion amongst fans.
“We offer our best wishes to all the players and are excited to get Europe and Africa Week of the Armageddon Championship underway.”

Andrey Insarov, Chief Executive Officer at Intis Telecom (it.com Domains): “We are thrilled to witness the convergence of intelligence and skill in the Armageddon Series. At it.com we are excited to support this great sport within our meaningful partnership with World Chess. We eagerly await the exciting and intense battles and extend our best wishes to all the players participating in Europe & Africa Week. Good luck!”

Leading partners supporting the Armageddon Championship Series:

The it.com Domains as the Official Partner;
FIDE Online Arena as the Official Gaming Platform;
Kaspersky as the Official Cybersecurity Partner.

For further questions, please contact media@worldchess.com.
Official website: https://chessarena.com/armageddon

Conflux Co-Learning Hosts Fall Workshop

Licensed professional counselor Justine Froelker to speak at St. Louis nonprofit’s event.

(St. Louis, Mo., June 9, 2023) – Conflux Co-Learning, the nation’s first co-learning space that exclusively serves manufacturers and distributors, will hold its fall workshop on Wed., Sept. 6 from 8 to 10 a.m. at Conflux’s headquarters located at 8221 Minnesota Ave. Keynote speaker Justine Froelker will focus on teaching the tools and techniques needed to lead with courage while highlighting the impact it creates on one’s personal and professional life. The workshop is free and open to the public.

Justine Froelker is a licensed professional counselor with more than 20 years of experience in traditional mental health and personal and professional development. She provides training nationally on topics including leadership, mental health, preventing and coping with burnout, resilience, and courageous communication. Froelker, a St. Louisan who is the best-selling author of 11 books, has been certified in the work of Dr. Brené Brown for the past nine years.

“Justine brings a wide range of practical ways to inspire courage and leadership into your daily life,” said Conflux Co-Learning’s Chairman of the Board Brandon Dempsey. “We look forward to having Justine educate both our clients and the general public so they can create lasting changes at home and at work.”

Conflux Co-Learning is a membership-based nonprofit organization that creates content, connections, and space so manufacturing and distribution leaders can navigate and grow in a rapidly changing industry. For more information, call (314) 754-8712 or visit www.confluxcolearning.com.

Reservations for the workshop are required for the free workshop. To register, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/conflux-workshop-with-justine-froelker-tickets-651015283237.

Lenovo partners with Demica on distributor finance

Demica, one of the world’s largest providers of supply chain finance SaaS solutions, has partnered with Lenovo’s channel solution and service team to co-develop and enhance the distributor finance platform, allowing Lenovo to provide extended services to its distributors.

Lenovo’s channel solution and service team has a longstanding and successful track record of extending credit to its strategic channel partners with flexibility to extend terms as required to fund working capital and drive sales. Moving forward, the Demica platform will allow Lenovo to retire its existing technology platform and extend its range of services to its distributors.

Demica and Lenovo’s channel solution and service team have worked together since 2019 after Lenovo brought the activity in-house and launched a trade receivables securitisation, one of the largest launches that has ever signed. Lenovo appointed Demica to report on the transaction covering 31 markets globally and in 14 currencies.

Maurice Benisty, Demica’s COO comments: “We are delighted to extend our relationship with Lenovo’s channel solution and service team and add this important supply chain finance product to the Demica platform. The product has tremendous application across the banking and captive finance market and we are excited to drive its commercialisation with the Lenovo channel solution and service team.”

Christoph Heitjans, Executive Director and GM of Lenovo’s Channel Solution and Service Team comments: “The decision to appoint Demica as a platform provider to Lenovo’s channel solution and service team reaffirms the importance of distributor finance as a tool to drive growth and optimise terms for Lenovo and its channel partners. The Demica platform represents the future of supply chain finance for banks and fintech as the market transitions from legacy technology to flexible, modern cloud-based solutions.”

DXC Technology Surpasses Gender Diversity Target of 40% Women Employees in India Workforce in Less Than Three Years

Bengaluru, India, 09 June 2023 – DXC Technology (NYSE: DXC), a leading Fortune 500 global technology services provider, today announced it has achieved the significant milestone of having 40% women in its India workforce, one year earlier than anticipated.

DXC Technology has about 43,000 employees in India. In June 2020, the company pledged to increase the percentage of women in their workforce in India from 28% to 40% by 2024. The company exceeded this objective in less than three years.

To achieve this feat, DXC not only increased its intake of women graduates from universities but also amplified outreach to women candidates for experienced hiring. Furthermore, DXC focused on building mid- and senior-level women leaders by instituting a series of leadership programs for women, in addition to fostering an inclusive culture by implementing several industry-leading programs, initiatives and engagement practices thoughtfully designed for taking care of women employees.

Speaking on this accomplishment, Nachiket Sukhtankar, Managing Director – DXC Technology, India, said, “The technology industry in India is grappling with the challenge of underrepresentation of women, both in terms of their entry into the sector and their advancement to leadership roles. I am immensely proud to be a part of an organization dedicated to bringing about a transformative shift through equality and representation. We still have miles to go as we aspire to set new benchmarks in gender diversity and inclusion. Nonetheless, I firmly believe this step holds immense significance in achieving an equal future. We will continue to work towards dismantling barriers and creating an empowering environment for women to thrive in the technology sector.”

Lokendra Sethi, Head of HR – DXC Technology, India, said, “We are proud of our unwavering commitment to fostering a corporate culture that is inclusive. We believe that diversity and inclusivity are not mere destinations but an ongoing journey towards cultivating an organizational environment built on trust, empathy, and purposeful collaboration. The milestone of 40% women in DXC India’s workforce fills us with great excitement as we realized this goal in a very short time and six months ahead of our expectations. Our purpose remains to keep paving the way for a future where women are encouraged, enabled, and empowered to become catalysts of change and the next generation of industry leaders.”

This achievement reflects DXC’s commitment to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment where every employee, regardless of gender, feels valued, respected, and empowered to reach their full potential. Further to its mission of becoming a diverse and inclusive employer, DXC is also investing in training underprivileged women students to create a workforce of skilled women for the industry. It recently trained 10,000 women engineers to enhance their job opportunities with the same curriculum used for the company’s employees.

Isya Aesthetics launches V face in Delhi NCR

Isya exclusively launched V-Face in collaboration with Brera Medicals, Italy, in Delhi on 28th May 2023. Only available at Isya, V-FACE – the event was attended by influencers, press and KOLs who enjoyed Smoke Vodka, Blue Moon Gin mixed with Sepoy tonics and lemonades; skin friendly appetizers by Uncafe and experienced their first V Face session.

“ First ever in India, V face can give you a needle-free botox free uplift you always wanted that is natural, safe and fabulous and it is safe for any age or skin type. One session of V face is like a year of face yoga, it helps tone those muscles” – Dr. Kiran Sethi

About Dr Kiran

With over 14 years of practice, Dr. Kiran Sethi, MD, is a New Delhi-based award-winning celebrity skin, aesthetic, and wellness specialist and author of the bestselling book Skin Sense. An Ivy League graduate from Columbia University, Dr. Kiran is an industry pioneer in dermatology and aesthetics with certifications from the American Board of Aesthetic Medicine and the American Board of Laser Surgery. An esteemed member of several cosmetic and aesthetic dermatology associations in the US and India, Dr. Kiran Sethi is also one of the few expert physicians in the world with both cosmetic formulation and dermatology degrees. She is also a global trainer and speaker for BOTOX, fillers, threads, and lasers.

Jindal India Limited Launches NEUCOLOR+ Premium Colour Steel Sheets with 15-year Warranty

Chennai, June 2023: – Jindal India Limited, a leading manufacturer of steel products, has announced the launch of its new product, NEUCOLOR+ premium colour steel sheets. The launch event was held in Chennai and was attended by dealers and sub-dealers from across the region.

The NEUCOLOR+ premium colour steel sheets are a high-quality product that comes with a 15-year warranty. The product is designed to provide customers with a durable and long-lasting solution for their roofing and cladding needs.

The event was graced by the presence of several key personnel from Jindal India Limited, including Mr Sachin Mishra (HOD Sales and Marketing), Mr.Nandkishore Parmar (GM Sales & Marketing), Mr Bhaskar Cherekar (Zonal Head – South India), and Mr Bharath Venkatesan (Area Sales Manager – Tamil Nadu Region). Representatives from SMPC Steel Processors, Jeyam Group, Pushpa Traders, and Krishna Steels were also present at the event.

Speaking at the launch, Mr Sachin Mishra said, “We are thrilled to introduce our new product, NEUCOLOR+, to our customers in Chennai and the surrounding regions. This premium colour steel sheet is a testament to our commitment to providing high-quality, durable, and long-lasting products to our customers.”

Mr Nandkishore Parmar added, “We believe that the NEUCOLOR+ premium colour steel sheets will revolutionize the roofing and cladding industry. With its 15-year warranty, customers can trust that they are investing in a product that will stand the test of time.”

The launch of the NEUCOLOR+ premium colour steel sheets marks a significant milestone for Jindal India Limited and demonstrates the company’s commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction.