The leading manufacturer of automotive components wants to grow by increasing focus and reliance on continuous innovation and its Pune technical centre is a major hub for innovation where R&D is being stepped up on enhancing the electronics content in its legacy products and on developing electronics-heavy non-legacy products
With India steadily rising upwards from its 52nd position in the Global Innovation Index 2019, leading companies too are contributing to this effort through increasing investment in research and development. One among them is Gurgaon-based Spark Minda Group, which is beefing up its head count for R&D activities and has set up a state-of-the-art Spark Minda Technical Cente (SMIT) in Pune to give a better face to its R&D department. This centre, established in October 2016, has already made some path-breaking innovations that will facilitate OEMs in improving the final quality of their products, meet the growing aspirations of consumers and meet the regulatory needs also. It has already filled around 40 patents since its inceptions.
This was disclosed to MOTORINDIA’s Editor during an informal chat in Chennai by D. Suresh, CEO and Group Technology Officer, Spark Minda Technical Centre, Minda Corporation Ltd.
SMIT is working aggressively on delivering system & sub-system solutions in the following domains: Vehicle Access System Solutions, Telematics Gateway Solutions, eMobility Solutions, Intelligent Transport Solutions, Integrated Starter Generator, Smart TFT Cluster, Multi-Function Electronic Control Unit, and Vehicle Antennas.
SMIT jointly with Minda Corporation is also working on various breakthrough technologies and innovative ideas for the Indian market.
The key-less entry system developed for two-wheelers, being the first-of-its-kind in India, would be a trend-setter in the automotive domain due to its comfort, convenience and top-notch security functions. Spark Minda is also a front runner in eMobility solutions such as DC/DC convertors, Chargers and Motor Controllers for electric vehicles.
Currently, Spark Minda Group has a force of around 500 R&D engineers all over India of which 120 are located in the company’s Pune technical centre. With increasing developments taking place in the automotive electronics field, the group has plans to increase its Pune head count to around 300. For over six decades, Spark Minda, erstwhile Minda Group, has had a major presence in the global automotive industry and is one of the leading manufacturers of automotive components for the OEMs.
The USD 645 million group, with a workforce of more than 17,000, caters to leading passenger vehicle, commercial vehicle, motorcycle and scooter, and off-road vehicle manufacturers in India. It has presence in Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, Mexico, China, Indonesia, Vietnam, Uzbekistan and Japan. The company also serves the after-market segment in India through a strong network of 500 dealers and distributors. For assimilating the latest technologies, Spark Minda has entered into strategic alliances and technical collaborations with leading international companies and acquired businesses across the globe. This has provided the company with cutting-edge product design and technology to meet strict international quality standards. The group companies are accredited with QS 9000, ISO-14001 and TS certification.