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MOTORINDIA
l
March 2012
Rane-TRW’s success through
innovative approach
The success of Rane-TRW Steer-
ing Systems Ltd., a well-known
manufacturer of hydraulic power
steering systems and seat belt sys-
tems, is mainly attributed to the
company’s innovative approach
backed by skilled manpower. This
is very well demonstrated at the
company plant at Viralimalai near
Tiruchi, set up in 1989. Almost
every employee shared his ideas
with the management to bring about
a lot of developments, particularly
related to cost saving methods of
manufacturing. In other words, the
company has become a trend-setter
with its excellent innovative ap-
proach adopted at every manufac-
turing stage.
The following are excerpts from
MOTORINDIA’s exclusive inter-
view with Mr. G. Parthipan, Presi-
dent, Rane-TRW Steering System
Ltd.
MOTORINDIA (MI):
Could
you throw some light on the suc-
cessful collaboration between
Rane and TRW?
G. Parthipan (GP)
: The col-
laboration has been quite success-
ful. TRW provides us the technol-
ogy which is customized to Indian
market needs by the JV. Further,
TRW also provides export oppor-
tunities for select global customers
supported by our cost-competitive
manufacturing solutions.
MI:
What are the special ad-
vantages derived from TRW’s
technical support for the Indian
market?
GP
:
We have introduced TRW’s
latest steering technology for com-
mercial vehicles that has been well
received by our customers. Simi-
larly, in the passenger car segment,
they have done their best in provid-
ing customized NVH solutions.
MI:
Being an OE-driven com-
pany, what are your USPs to
maintain good profitability?
GP
:
Maintaining profitability
continues to be a major challenge.
Also, with ever-increasing com-
modity prices and other associated
costs, containing the price level is
all the more difficult. However, in
tandem with our continuous TQM
practice, various measures are tak-
en to address this issue.
MI:
Given the innovative ideas
of your workforce, do you plan
patenting your products?
GP
:
With our focus on TQM cul-
ture we encourage our employees
to come out with innovative ideas.
These ideas are patented as appro-
priate.
MI:
What is your strategy to-
wards tackling the competition
from Chinese products?
GP
:
The low quality of Chinese
products is definitely of major con-
Component zone
Mr. G. Parthipan, President, Rane-TRW Steering Systems Ltd.