MOTORINDIA’s Exclusive Feature
Mr. L. Ganesh, Chairman, Rane Group, has emphasised the significant role played by the group’s joint ventures with the two large Japanese companies, NSK and Nishinbho, for its sustained growth and development. Based on the success of the joint ventures, the first one in operation for over 20 years and the other for over 30 years, Rane looks forward to further strengthening its relationship with the Japanese partners.
Sharing the Rane Group experience with Japanese co-operation at the Chamber’s Day celebrations of the Indo-Japan Chamber of Commerce & Industry (IJCCI) in Chennai as the Guest of Honour, Mr. Ganesh said that mutual respect, dignity and understanding of the cultural values of the local environment formed the very basis of working together. The long-term approach and therefore perseverance in achieving goals is a special feature of the partnership. Last but not the least is the intense focus on Quality.
Referring to the Total Quality Management (TQM), he said that with the altered economic and competitive scenario, post-liberalization in 1991, the Rane Group undertook an introspection with honesty and embarked on the journey of pursuing operational excellence through Japanese TQM in 2000. This was definitely a watershed decision. Five of the group companies have so far won the Deming Application Prize and three have won the Deming Grand Prize.
It is also possible to learn how Japanese companies implemented TQM to help deliver superior quality and become global companies with their power of Daily Routine Management (DRM) during implementation of the TQM principles and practices. In fact, the Japanese TQM has changed the business process from action-oriented to a thinking and learning process mainly driven by constant improvement to achieve the desired business goals.
TQM is indeed the very strong foundation for becoming truly world class. In the process, Japanese joint ventures have been a tremendous experience in pursuing excellence and achieving business goals, but with customer and people focus as the foundation. It has been a long journey of 19 years since embracing TQM, he added.
Mr. Ganesh recalled how his group realised almost at the very beginning of its journey that collaboration with overseas companies was a good option to grow. The tie-ups helped in enhancing product portfolio and bringing innovative products to customers. All the Rane Group collaborations have been quite successful, and the relationship with the partners has lasted many decades.
He also disclosed that Rane’s first collaboration was with Farnborough Engineering Ltd. of the UK in the 1960s. The relationship continued across two generations even after the technical arrangement ended, far and beyond the commercial terms. Later, it has had relationships, both technical and financial, with German and US companies.