By R. Natarajan, Mg. Editor & Publisher, MOTORINDIA
In the field of automotive lighting, Hella is a leading brand to reckon with. Headquartered in Germany, Hella is virtually dominating the market across the globe. In India too, Hella India Lighting Limited, is a public limited Company promoted and principally held by one of the world’s leading auto component suppliers, HELLA, Germany and has been delivering excellent results year after year.
The MOTORINDIA Managing Editor & Publisher, R. Natarajan, had an opportunity for a free-wheeling discussion on the sidelines of the recently held iSoL-2017, with the vibrant and dynamic Managing Director of Hella India Lighting Ltd, Mr. Rama Shankar Pandey. During the interaction, he revealed very interesting aspects of how Hella India Lighting has been growing in India despite multiple challenges from both the domestic and overseas automotive lighting manufacturers.
Said Mr. Pandey in his optimistic and pro-active style that India has a huge space in the automotive lighting industry with the fastest growing vehicle population across all segments. This has given a rare opportunity for the company to grow over the last decade. As a pioneer in the field, the company has also brought in the many innovative lighting technologies to the needs of Indian Customers, which is possible due to Hella’s strong focus on R&D, it has engaged 20% of the workforce dedicated for R&D activities across the world, including India. With its constant focus on R&D, Hella has become an innovative leader in automotive lighting.
Though the Indian economy passed through ups and downs, Hella India Lighting could very easily maintain around 20% CAGR in the last 10 years, thanks to its attitude to learn and perform.
OEMs’ preferred choice
According to Mr. Pandey, one of the major factors driving the growth of the company is its thrust on presenting to customers all possible technology alternatives to support the Vehicle Safety ecosystem. For instance,whenever the OEMs plan to come out with new model vehicles, Hella’s team will share all its ideas and expertise to integrate the right technology product into the vehicle. Hella was one among the first in automotive lighting to invest in local production to implement LEDification of signaling and modular projector front lighting system for buses and trucks in India. This has made it a clear leader in bus and coach projector module lighting assembly. The company is also a pioneer in delivering LED rear light assembly for trucks as well as LED work lamps for trailers, off-highway and construction vehicles, etc.
Further, since India has become a major hub for exports for many multinationals, it is a significant development that HIL has started exporting its design and development services to Hella’s global needs, mainly to Europe, and it pays off well.
Mr. Rama Shankar Pandey has not only been actively involved in Hella’s overall growth, but also spends his precious time and ideas for road safety activities. He is known more as a social activist, a Road Safety Warrior than a Professional CEO.”