Brakes India spends nearly 2% of its annual turnover towards R&D. With over 200 engineers working on design, development and testing of new products, Brakes India has embarked on an advance product development program and has developed new products such as a high performance drum brake for small commercial vehicles, plastic cylinders for clutch systems, aluminium clutch boosters for commercial vehicles and has developed a 2 channel ABS system totally indigenously.
Mr Viji says: “We have been importing antilock braking system from TRW for the last 2 to 3 years and we are on the verge of signing an agreement for localization with them”.
Brakes India has also developed Electro Magnetic Retarders for buses and is the market leader in India today. With a view to offering a wider range to its commercial vehicle customers for the front and rear engine buses, Brakes India has a technical tie up with KLAM of Spain.
Aftermarket
Brakes India has been a strong performer in the aftermarket and is keen on increasing its range of products in the coming future. Says Mr Badri Vijayaraghavan, “there has been a steady growth in our aftermarket business during the last 10 years and we have one of the strongest brands “TVS Girling”. Our Dot 3 and Dot 4 brake fluids are doing well and we have recently launched a Brake Cleaner, our first foray into the accessory market. With regional parts warehouses strategically located across the country, Brakes India is able to provide faster delivery to its customers through out India.
With a strong OEM presence, wide range of products and a net work spanning over 200 distributor branches dealing with over 80,000 dealers, Brakes India is all set to increase its presence in the aftermarket in the coming future.
Service network
Superior service has always been the hallmark for Brakes India’s success. With a technical service network of over 40 trained engineers located in various parts of the country, Brakes India prides itself by providing the best service in the industry. A well equipped service training centre located near Chennai impart training to OEM engineers, service engineers and mechanics in rural parts of India on theoretical and practical aspects of brake service and to enhance brand image.
Brakes India’s strength is built on 3 pillars, viz., Technology leadership with the best in class, capability on design, development and testing complimented by manufacturing excellence, superior quality, cost and delivery embellished by superior service leading to customer delight.