22, Apr 2024
BFW Inaugurates Fully Digitalized, Global Scale Manufacturing Plant
Bengaluru, 22 April 2024: Bharat Fritz Werner Ltd (BFW) a leading Indian advanced manufacturing technology solutions company, today announced the inauguration of its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility at Devaganapalli, in Hosur, Tamil Nadu. This new facility set up with an investment of Rs. 200 crore, brings numerous innovative practices and several unique and industry-first features, including:
– Two world-class assembly halls spanning 20,000 square meters each, with a combined capacity to produce over 10000 CNC machines annually, a 3X expansion. The overall footprint of 54 acres allows for setting up the Vendor Ecosystem in the future.
– Fully digitalized and interconnected manufacturing processes, incorporating conveyorised assembly of machines.
– Environmentally friendly infrastructure with various features designed to minimize carbon footprint.
– In alignment with the Government of India’s initiatives to promote skill development and empower women (“Nari Shakti”), the new facility promotes local talent with a planned gender diversity target of 30%, a pioneering move within the global Machine Tool Industry.
– A fully integrated “Spindle Technology Centre,” encompassing indigenous engineering, manufacturing, assembly, and service of high-quality machine tool spindles, including integral motor technology.
Mr Arun Kothari, Chairman, BFW said “We aimed to establish a facility of global standards for scale and efficiency. I am confident that this facility will aid us in furthering our aspiration of participating in the growth of manufacturing“ “Our teams have innovated many robust machine assembly processes for low Takt time taking inputs from the global best practices across the industry,” said Mr. Ravi Raghavan, MD, BFW
“The manufacturing sector finds itself at a pivotal juncture. Challenges, disruptions, and innovation have marked BFW’s journey over the past 63 years. To fulfil its purpose of “Enabling Progress ” of manufacturing BFW has embraced the initiative ” LEAP – Leadership thru Ethical practices, Agile Processes, and Partnerships.” Under this initiative, BFW aspires to act as a strategic partner of the Global Manufacturing Industry by Scaling up the capacity 3X, adopting best practices of the Automotive Industry to the Machine tool domain, and deploying Technology to evolve a digitally connected ecosystem. The machine tool industry in India is growing at a CAGR of 15 to 17% annually, and BFW is a leader in the industry is growing at 20%.” Mr. Raghavan added.
With an excellent design engineering capability & two state-of-the-art manufacturing plants, BFW provides solutions to meet the performance, productivity, and reliability expectations of diverse industries including Aerospace, Automotive, Defence, Die Mould, Forging, Valves, Railways, etc.
With 65000+ installations, operating in 15 countries, the BFW Europe office is the most recent addition to better serve global customers with advanced manufacturing solutions. Through channel partners, a wide sales & service network is available at 48 locations in India including 5 tech centres.
The inauguration event was graced by Dr Eng Yoshiharu Inaba, Chairman, FANUC CORPORATION; Mr Vipin Sondhi, Chairperson of the National Board for Quality Promotion, Quality Council of India and Former Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of Ashok Leyland & JCB India; Mrs Geetanjali Vikram Kirloskar, Chairperson & Managing Director, Kirloskar Systems Pvt. Ltd, Mr. Akihiro Teramachi, Representative Director, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer for THK Group and other thought leaders from the industry and over 50 overseas Global partners of BFW and 300+ senior manufacturing professionals representing various clients and supply chain partners.
- 0
- By Rabindra
16, Feb 2024
Ashok Leyland takes strides in skill development agenda in Uttarakhand
Bengaluru, February 16, 2024: Ashok Leyland, the Indian flagship of the Hinduja Group on a momentous occasion today, distributed the Apprentice Engagement Letters to the inaugural batch of apprentices at Rudrapur Pantnagar. This marked a significant milestone in the company’s commitment to fostering skill development and employment opportunities in Uttarakhand.
The ceremony was graced by the esteemed presence of Shri Saurabh Bahuguna, Minister of Skill Development and Employment, Government of Uttarakhand, and Mr Ganesh Mani, COO, Ashok Leyland. This endeavor reflects Ashok Leyland’s commitment to enhancing skill development and fostering employment opportunities in the region, aligning with the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS).
Since the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Ashok Leyland and the Government of Uttarakhand in July 2023, the company has aimed to boost employability in the state. The MoU outlines the engagement of 1000 apprentices annually for three years, starting from 2023. The initiative is structured to equip apprentices with industry-relevant skills and prepare them for future job opportunities.
Mr. Shenu Agarwal, MD & CEO, Ashok Leyland said, “We understand the vital significance of empowering youth through skill development initiatives. In an ever-changing landscape, acquiring pertinent skills is essential to excel in their careers and make meaningful contributions to society. Our collaboration with the Government of Uttarakhand underscores our dedication to nurturing talent and creating sustainable employment opportunities in the region. By investing in skill development, we enable individuals to unlock their potential and drive positive change within their communities.”
Mr. Ganesh Mani, Chief Operating Officer, of Ashok Leyland said, “Our partnership with the government reaffirms our profound belief in the power of skill development to bring about meaningful change. We are honoured to be part of initiatives that drive the socio-economic development of Uttarakhand.”
The issuing of the Apprentice Engagement Letters reflects Ashok Leyland’s dedication to empowering young individuals, promoting skill enhancement, and bolstering the socio-economic advancement of Uttarakhand. To date, Ashok Leyland has effectively onboarded over 400 apprentices across diverse disciplines, owing to the cooperative endeavors of the government and Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) throughout Uttarakhand.
9, Jan 2024
StoxBox top auto picks for 2024: Ashok Leyland, Hero MotoCorp & Minda Corporation
The automotive industry saw strong performance in FY24, driven by EBITDA margin increase and premiumization strategies. Domestic auto players outperformed export-oriented rivals in Q2FY24. The Indian passenger vehicle market experienced significant growth, but sustaining momentum in FY25 is expected to be challenging.
Dhruv Mudaraddi, a research analyst at StoxBox says: “PV OEMs intend to raise retail prices beginning in January 2024 because of increased input costs. The demand dynamics in FY25 are anticipated to be greatly impacted by this price spike.”
“FY24 is predicted to be a record year for commercial vehicle sales due to more government spending on freight and infrastructure. Two Wheelers’ domestic sales increased 17% YoY to 159 Lakh units in FY23, with modest growth expected in FY24 and FY25”, adds Dhruv.
Top Picks for 2024
Ashok Leyland, Hero MotoCorp, and Minda Corporation are the top picks for the 2024 according to StoxBox. Dhruv offers his recommendations: “Ashok Leyland grew 10% YoY in Q1 2024, with revenue targets of Rs 800-1000 crores as a result of the change to a new tax regime. Hero MotoCorp expects to boost volumes in the second half of FY24 in anticipation of increasing demand for luxury motorcycles and scooters during the post-festival season.”
“With its strong order book and EV-ready products, Minda Corporation’s growth is expected to surpass 20% over the next three to five years,” Dhruv goes on.
The automotive industry’s future in 2024 is complex, requiring creative thinking and proactive responses to market changes. Organizations with flexibility, inventiveness, and strategic direction are recommended.
9, Jan 2024
MOU between the Hinduja Group and the Government of Tamil Nadu
Mr. Shenu Agarwal, MD & CEO of Ashok Leyland, exchanged an MOU between the Hinduja Group and the Government of Tamil Nadu, at the Tamil Nadu Global Investors meet for an investment of Rs 1200 Cr. over the next 3 – 5 years, assigned for strategic initiatives to drive innovation, technological advancements and overall business expansion. This commitment also reflects the group’s vision for sustainable growth and competitiveness in the automotive sector. The group is committed to creating employment opportunities for 500- 1000 people both direct & indirect, based on the work demand.
8, Jan 2024
Historic performance by Ashok Leyland in CY2023
8th January, 2024 Bengaluru: Ashok Leyland, the Indian flagship of the Hinduja Group and the country’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturer, today announced that it has reached yet another milestone by clocking its highest-ever sales volume in a calendar year in the history of the company during the year 2023. Setting a new benchmark, the company achieved a total commercial vehicle (CV) volume of 198,113 units, surpassing its previous record established in the year 2018.
This record achievement underscores the company’s product versatility and strong market presence, solidifying its position as a leading force in the commercial vehicle industry both domestically and on the international stage.
Mr. Shenu Agarwal, Managing Director & CEO, Ashok Leyland said, “We are thrilled to have achieved this milestone, and it’s a reflection of our dedication to providing top-quality products and exceptional service. We extend our gratitude to our loyal customers who have contributed to our ongoing growth and are thankful for the hard work and dedication of our team. Looking ahead, we are poised for even greater success as we continue to invest in cutting-edge technologies, sustainable operating practices, and customer-centric market initiatives to drive the next phase of growth for Ashok Leyland. The momentum generated in 2023 sets a solid foundation for a future where we will continue to lead the way in the commercial vehicle industry.”
Ashok Leyland’s strong dealership network and comprehensive after-sales service infrastructure have facilitated reaching customers across India and ensuring superior round-the-clock after-sales service. The company’s customer-centric approach drives innovation, enabling the development of innovative solutions tailored to meet the ever-evolving demands of the transportation ecosystem.
Ashok Leyland’s outstanding performance in CY2023 reflects its commitment to excellence, innovation, and customer satisfaction. The company looks forward to building on this success and continuing to be at the forefront of the global commercial vehicle market.
