Gabriel in the news 2
http://www.motorindiaonline.in/component/gabriel-india-setting-high-standard-in-ride-control/
Gabriel India setting high standard
in ride control
by motorindia — September 12, 2012 at 2:59 pm |
By R. Natarajan, Managing Editor & Publisher
Mr. Manoj Kolhatkar, Managing Director, Gabriel India
Gabriel India Limited, a leading name in the Indian auto component industry, has completed five decades
of its existence. The company provides the widest range of Ride Control products in India with Shock
Absorbers, Struts and Front Forks, catering to Passenger Cars, Utility Vehicles, Commercial Vehicles and
Two Wheelers.
The pioneer of Ride Control products in the country, ‘Gabriel is a renowned brand synonymous with
shock absorbers. Its products have established a significant presence in all automotive segments, viz:
OEMs replacement markets and exports. Over the last fifty years. Gabriel India has earned the reputation
of being a complete solution provider of innovative and proprietary products that have become the
company’s hallmark.
The flagship company of Anand, Gabriel commenced operations in 1961 with a single plant in Mulund,
Mumbai and has grown manifold since then with seven manufacturing facilities spread across the country
(Pune, Nashik, Hosur, Dewas, Gurgaon, Parwanoo, Sanand). The Motor India Editorial team recently
visited Gabriel Corporate office at Pune and manufacturing facility at Chakan to witness the state of the
art manufacturing facilities and process adopted by Gabriel.
Discussing with Mr. Manoj Kolhatkar, Managing Director of Gabriel reinforces the company’s direction
towards technology superiority to remain competitive. Over the last 50 years, Gabriel has developed a
high level of technical competence and skills. In addition, Gabriel has technology collaboration with KYB
Corporation, Japan and KYBSE Spain for 4 Wheeler and Yamaha Motor Hydraulic Systems Japan for
two wheeler product development. This has enabled Gabriel provide futuristic products to global OEMs in
India.
Gabriel’s focus is on innovation to provide cost
effective solutions to customers, says Manoj Kolhatkar, Gabriel has so far filed 16 patents covering
products and process apart from winning the Golden Peacock Award for Innovation twice during 2007
and 2012.
Continued focus on R&D has set the path for future. Gabriel has three well equipped state of art R&D
centres located in Chakan, Hosur and Nashik to develop new products and carry out comprehensive
testing and validation so as to optimize performance and enhance capability of its Ride Control products.
These facilities provide value added services to all customers in areas of noise measurement, value
engineering improving product quality by root cause analysis of customer complaints as well as cost
reduction through localization efforts. These R&D centres also provide customers with a facility to conduct
ride tuning exercise on site through custom built mobile ride tuning vans.
This apart, Gabriel is setting up a Tech
Centre for 2 Wheeler product developments at its Hosur plant. This facility, expected to be ready in 2013,
would have unique and futuristic facilities for product design & validation. Gabriel is also setting up a ride
evaluation facility for customer vehicle evaluation. This is would be over and above the onsite ride and
handling facility already available with Gabriel. Says Mr. Manoj Kolhatkar, Gabriel would continue to
invest a part of its sales in R&D and product development year on year as part of its strategy and way
forward.
Gabriel way forward is on focusing and building sustainable manufacturing process through reduced
carbon foot print and bringing in green technology in all its manufacturing locations. Gabriel’s
manufacturing footprint enables timely deliveries to customers while optimizing the availability of material.
With a combined capacity of over 24 million Shock Absorbers and Struts and 2.7 million Front Forks,
these facilities cater to the requirements of all segments of the market, making Gabriel the leading
Automotive OEM supplier in the country. Gabriel also services the requirements of Defence, Railways
and the Aftermarket segments in India.
The
Anand Group firmly believes that Business is 90% people as the Chairman Emiritus Mr DC Anand proudly
asserts that his key asset is the Group’s dedicated workforce. Gabriel has taken this initiative forward
laying great emphasis on employee development through training of people both at the in-house Anand
University (Anand-U) and by deputing to external training. Gabriel is proud to receive the recognition from
Great Places to Work as the third best place to work in the auto component industry during 2012, a
unique honour for inspiring trust among people and instilling pride, creating an environment with the
workplace that promotes camaraderie.