ACMA Annual Awards recognizes 60 auto component companies for path-breaking initiatives in distinctive domains such as manufacturing, new product development, exports, HR and HSE
The Automotive Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA), the apex body of the Indian auto component industry, hosted the sixth edition of ACMA Technology Summit and Awards. The summit themed as ‘Towards Atmanirbhar Bharat – Technologies for Sustaining Growth’ was aimed to foster indigenous innovations with a focus on technology and working towards robust automotive supply chains by de-risking through self-reliance. The annual platform also honoured and felicitated small, medium, and large enterprises for excellence across parameters such as manufacturing, new product development, exports, human resource development, and health safety and environment.
The summit was graced by Nitin Gadkari, Minister for Ministry for Road Transport and Highways and the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, who also inaugurated the summit and the awards show. Addressing the industry, he said, “The government recognises the substantial contribution of the auto component industry towards the Indian economy. This industry is one of the 12 champion sectors to contribute majorly to “Make in India” and to propel “Atmanirbhar Bharat”. We are confident that the recent policy measures and budget boost will make the industry a global manufacturing hub. Affordability, high quality and reliability will make us a leading global market.”
We also need to focus on how we harness technology to promote alternate fuels like bio CNG, electricity, hydrogen, etc. and build better vehicles to contribute to ecology, economy and environment. I am very optimistic that the fiscal year 2021-22 is expected to be the year of rebound of Indian automobile industry. With strong growth projections for across segments of the vehicle industry, the auto component industry is bound to have high growth. I am confident that India will become a hub for automotive manufacturing in not too distant a future. I wish ACMA technology summit a great success!” he added.
Organized on a virtual platform, the 6th ACMA Technology Summit successfully brought industry experts to deliberate on building an ‘atmanirbhar’ automotive value-chain through cutting-edge technologies and collaborate for de-risking against disruptions. Thought leaders from the industry, government and the academia emphasized on adopting new technologies, manufacturing practices, and business models to sustain growth and stay ahead of the curve. In addition to the discussion on the summit theme, a knowledge session on ‘Emerging Technologies – Redefining India’s Automotive Landscape’ was also organized.
During the summit, around 60 auto component players were recognised and honoured for their path-breaking initiatives in distinctive domains such as manufacturing, new product development, exports, human resource development, and health safety and environment. ACMA Annual Awards, one of the most covet honours in the Indian auto component industry witnessed 305 applications, one of the highest ever, of which 75 were adjudged winners under various categories.
The summit witnessed participation from eminent dignitaries including Kenichi Ayukawa, President SIAM & MD & CEO Maruti Suzuki India Ltd., Vipin Sondhi, Vice-President – SIAM, MD & CEO, Ashok Leyland, Vikram Kasbekar, Executive Director & CTO, Hero MotoCorp Ltd., Raju Ketkale, Deputy Managing Director, Toyota Kirloskar Motors Pvt. Ltd., Ashok Taneja, Past President, ACMA & MD & CEO, Shriram Pistons & Rings Ltd., Arvind Balaji, Past President, ACMA & Joint Managing Director, Lucas-TVS Ltd., Dr. Souvik Bhattacharya, Vice Chancellor, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, Schulze Isfort, CEO of Bernard Krone Beteiligungs GmbH, Krone Family Office, Spelle, Member of the Board, VDA Berlin, among others.
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Commenting on the summit, Deepak Jain, President, ACMA, said, “As an industry, we have collaborated well to face the unprecedented disruptions in wake of the pandemic. We are also thankful for the supportive policy interventions by the government which helped us to sail through the difficult period. Now, we need to pay attention to find innovative ways to sustain growth, ensure a robust supply chain and create more value-addition. Adopting new and modern technologies will be the key for our industry to remain competitive. With a fast-changing regulatory environment and India becoming a preferred destination for designing and manufacturing for most global auto OEMs, it is imperative for the auto component industry to invest in latest technologies to stay relevant.”
Speaking about the ACMA Annual award, Vinnie Mehta, Director General, ACMA, said “We witnessed an unprecedented crisis in 2020 but the entire industry came together to support each other and collectively face the challenge. The auto component industry has displayed remarkable resilience and it is a great time to reward and recognize industry efforts. We are proud to conclude this edition of the ACMA Technology Summit and Awards and congratulate all the winners and applicants as each one of them embodies this spirit of excellence.”
