In an exclusive interaction with Francois Delacommune, Vice President, International Business Development for O-Rings and Bonded Seals product ranges of Hutchinson Precision Sealing Systems, Hutchinson, and Sriram Gopalakrishnan, Technical Director, Hutchinson India, N. Balasubramanian and Sarada Vishnubhatla learn the various nuances of Hutchinson’s robust plans to further fortify its presence in Indian automotive market, the company’s global success strategy and how it is being applied in India and strengthening the brand position further by planning to set up a manufacturing plant for O-Rings in 2022.
Hutchinson is known the world over for its customized materials, designs and solutions. As a global leader in vibration control, fluid management, sealing systems, belt drive systems, the brand caters to multiple markets and contributes to the mobility of the future.
Hutchinson Precision Sealing Systems’ (PSS) foray into India commenced in 1996, when the company decided to supply its O-Rings customer here from France. More than a decade later in 2014, an anti-vibration system unit was opened in Manesar, Gurugram in Haryana which was shifted to Oragadam, Chennai in 2018. In the same year, the plant began manufacturing belt drive systems too. The company’s first distribution center for O-Rings came up in 2019 at the same plant. Today, Hutchinson India Rubber Products Pvt Ltd supplies automotive components including O-Rings, anti-vibration systems, and belt drive systems to OEMs, and tier-1 and -2 manufacturers in India.
Spanning over 2 decades of experience, Francois Delacommune, Vice President, International Business Development, Hutchinson PSS, is an expert in O-Rings and Bonded Seals. Since 2006, he has been working towards international expansion of the company and in alignment with the team efforts, Hutchinson PSS has made successful forays for its O-Rings product line into Mexico, Brazil, China and now, India is in focus for business expansion.
Delacommune tells us: “Our journey has been exciting and now with over 50 customers in India, which includes both car and truck segments, we are looking forward to catering to more such customers. Our O-Rings are of superlative quality that ensure perfect static sealing between the parts assembled both radially and axially. They can withstand extreme temperatures and fit in tiny spaces.”
Globally, Hutchinson invests 5% of its sales in research and developing innovative solutions. As a company that designs and manufactures smart future mobility solutions, it is working towards further strengthening its base in India by building a strong technical center. The purpose of the center is to extend support to local customers and also to work on global projects.
Sriram Gopalakrishnan, Technical Director, Hutchinson India shares: “Our focus is to provide technical support, in-depth R&D to develop cost effective solutions that meet the demands of our customers in India.”
Highly Reliable Sealing Solutions
High precision sealing systems are the demand of today’s automotive industry. Manufacturers seeking such systems turn to Hutchinson as the brand is synonymous with quality and highly reliable components that withstand the most demanding environments. Hutchinson O-Rings are designed specifically for the needs of various industries including that of automotive.
He shares: “Our customers look for reliability in our precision sealing solutions. Our systems play an invisible but vital role in meeting that expectation. The O-Rings protect and ensure vehicle safety by preventing leakages.”
Hutchinson PSS’ strategy is to increase its presence in India by investing in local manufacturing.
He adds: “We are working towards opening our state-of-the-art manufacturing plant by the middle of 2022 in Chennai by taking advantage of our existing facility for AVS/BDS.”
Product Bouquet
Hutchinson is known for its innovative solutions. In India, 90% of Hutchinson PSS’ products cater to the automotive sector while the remaining 10% goes to other industrial customers. A share of the products that is supplied to its customers is used by them as OE spares.
Delacommune elaborates: “In a vehicle, wherever there are fluids to be stopped, controlled or managed, we are present. We mainly cater to companies who produce pipes and connectors for fuel line systems, fuel injection systems, HVAC, cooling, transmission, safety systems such as air bags. Most of our customers are large and established players so our products will definitely be part of almost all major car brands and models besides some trucks too.”
Localization In O-Rings – A Milestone
As on date, localization is a key business parameter for Hutchinson PSS in India and the company is working it out with more than ‘300 references’ that it supplies. But once the production starts, the import of some of the parts will gradually reduce. In the next 5 years post the launch of the O-Rings manufacturing plant in 2022, the locally manufactured parts should reach 40% of its sales, as per the Hutchinson PSS officials.
Delacommune explains: “Our strategy is to first localize the ones that are in high demand and are touching a particular volume, and the others will be localized once they reach a certain volume.”
India In Focus
Be it BS 6, EVs or ethanol fueled-vehicles, Hutchinson has the knowhow and the capability to respond to the various alternative fuels and modes of transport. The company has the relevant solutions at hand to offer as and when the market is ready. On its part, Hutchinson has already helped a few customers in India in transitioning to the BS 6 emission norms.
Delacommune is confident: “We are assured of our potential in the Indian market which is why we are focused on expanding our presence here. Earlier, we were working on other global markets but now it is time for our expansion in India. There are several changes happening in the Indian market at this moment which augurs well for our growth here.”
As part of its plan to grow closer to the customer here, the company will work on developing a strong customer base, offer them robust local R&D, while expanding its product portfolio.
He says: “Our main focus is to support our customers’ projects and help them innovate and grow. Our sales teams will work on identifying customers here as the priority. Producing close to customers has always been our strategy globally and it has served us well, and hence we are applying it in this market as well.”
Optimistic Outlook Despite Pandemic
No business has remained unaffected by the COVID pandemic and it holds true for Hutchinson too. Delacommune, as the person responsible for international business expansion, has been in touch with the company’s teams in 18 countries to monitor their well-being during COVID.
He shares: “Our India business was also affected but even during the lockdowns last year, some of our customers were still carrying out their manufacturing activities, so we stepped up to support them. We expect the latter half of 2021 to be as good as the same time period in 2020. We are optimistic about the road ahead in India.”
Quality Paramount
The O-Ring production is based on a one plant concept, ensuring no compromise is made in delivering quality, with products being manufactured along the same process and settings in whichever part of the world they are produced.
Delacommune says: “The products manufactured in India will be of exact same quality as are our products that are manufactured in our other facilities around the world. This is what we follow and this is why we have been successful.”
And that is how Hutchinson PSS ensures consistent global quality of its products.
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Our focus is to provide technical support, in-depth R&D to develop cost effective solutions that meet the demands of our customers in India.
– Sriram Gopalakrishnan