LIS Murali’s call to aim for next level of profitable growth
By R. Natarajan, Managing Editor & Publisher, MOTORINDIA
With the expanding population of cars all over the country, there is greater need now for establishing more organized automobile workshops. Though workshop owners may often be considered to be the captains of the automotive sector, very often the community has not been given the respect it deserves.
Keeping this in mind, a set of people from the automobile workshop community set up an association called the All India Automobile Workshops Association (AIAWA). Within just two years, it has grown by leaps and bounds. Among the dignitaries who contributed to the birth of AIAWA is Mr. Vikrantt Mohan, its National President, who is undoubtedly the master-mind behind the great initiative. With Mr. Mohan’s able guidance and leadership, the Association has acquired the strength of around 200 members and is planning to expand it to 500 very soon.
Recently AIAWA organized its 5th Regional Workshop Owners Meet in Trivandrum which proved an eye-opener for workshop owners in the Kerala region.
Welcoming the gathering, Mr. Unnikrishnan Perumamadom, Kerala State Coordinator, thanked all those who came from different parts of Kerala as well as the sponsors of the event, namely, Hella, Lucas Indian Service, SIKA, Elofic, Lumax, Mann+Hummel and Addinol for the successful conduct of the meet.
Mr. Unnikrishnan who was the driving force behind the Trivandrum meet had put in special efforts by travelling all over the State to personally invite the workshop owners for the meet.
Mr. N. Ananthram, National Vice President, AIAWA, introduced the participants to the audience.
In his detailed presentation on the AIAWA activities, Mr. Vikrantt Mohan said though the Association is into the automobile service industry, it is almost making automobiles. The service industry serves millions of people and customers. However, it does not have an association to safeguard its interests. Hence the decision to start the Association.
Outlining the birth of automobiles, Mr. Mohan pointed out that it was in 1897 that a person known as Foster was the first to become a car owner in the world. Today, with the increasing vehicle population all over the world, the number of cars has grown multifold. For instance, out of the 100 vehicles currently sold in India, 79 are cars.
The setting up of AIAWA was necessitated by the general compulsion to make the automobile service sector more authorized and create confidence among car owners about their contribution and service. Currently India has only 43% of the authorised workshops, and AIAWA’s major goal is to bring others also into the category. Out of 30 million cars now plying on Indian roads, only 5 million have warranty. Through AIAWA, the Indian customers can get the right service for their vehicles even at the remotest corner of the country.
Mr. Mohan also referred to the challenges faced by the automobile workshops such as isolated, lowest level of trade information, hunting for parts, lack of awareness of Government and bank schemes, heavy customer pampering, and finally lack of brand image. However, the Association extends its full support to the members in meeting various challenges being faced by them.
Mr. R. Natarajan, Managing Editor & Publisher, MOTORINDIA, who was the special invitee on the occasion, stressed the importance of following the road safety rules and create greater awareness among car owners with the support received by the AIAWA members.
‘Touch the ceiling’
To be successful in the automobile business, it is essential to touch the ceiling. This is the starting remarks made by Mr. S. Muralidharan, President, Lucas Indian Service Ltd., who was the Chief Guest on the occasion.
In his address, Mr. Muralidharan thrilled the audience with his eloquence. His complete presentation was an eye-opener to the entire automobile workshop owners assembled there. On a positive note, he started the presentation in a very humble way with the slogan – ‘touch the ceiling and aim for the next level of profitable growth’. No doubt his message was well accepted by the audience who cheered him throughout his speech.
According to Mr. Muralidharan, there are three big changes noticed in the automobile industry in the last few years. Earlier cars used to have carburetors, dynamo, lead acid batteries, bulb and steering, etc. Today the scenario has completely changed with new technology products such as electronic items like online pumps, common rail diesel injection (CRDI), halogen bulbs, power steering, etc., playing a major role. Today there are more Electronic Engineers rather than Mechanical Engineers. The Government has already decided to focus on electric vehicles, and hence there will be a further technological revolution to bring out vehicle industry electrification. Even with the new technology challenges, automobile workshops in India will survive. For this, he urged automobile workshop owners to focus more on training in line with the change in technology.
He also suggested that workshop owners may learn more about portal through which spareparts orders are placed and welcome GST as a long-term benefit. Today, every Indian customer wants high German quality product at cheap Chinese prices, to be delivered at his doorstep. “This should be one of the major and biggest challenges we are facing today in India”.
Mr. Muralidharan also suggested that for surviving in this competitive environment, workshop owners should endeavour to remain united and provide timely service at all times.
Mr. Pawan Sharma, Vice President – Marketing, Elofic Industries Ltd., who was the Guest of Honour on the occasion, said the rapid changes in technology offered an opportunity to upgrade the workshops. As a leading auto component manufacturer, Elofic is keen to collaborate with workshop owners all over.
Mr. Amit Asija, National Business Development Head (Automotive Aftermarket) – Target Market Industry, SIKA India Pvt. Ltd., made a video presentation, which highlighted the company focus on technology and safety. He praised AIAWA for its useful role and creating greater awareness of various policies issued, including insurance.
Mr. V. Anandhan, National Sales Manager – Automotive Retail IAM, Hella India Lighting Ltd., made a detailed presentation on Hella’s pioneering role in technology, reliable and safety aspects of the products from the company.
Mr. Bharat Bhushan, Dy. General Manager, NPD & Marketing, Lumax Auto Technologies Ltd., presented an overview of the Indian automobile industry as well as the Lumax growth journey.
Mr. C. Babu, General Secretary, All Kerala Automobile Employees Union, and Managing Director, Indigo Pure Petroleum Products, spoke about the road safety scenario in India as well as the steps and initiatives taken by the Kerala Government in minimizing road accidents.
Mr. Jenu, Regional Manager, Addinol, made a presentation on the higher technology involved in the company’s lubricants.
Mr. Ajay K., Asst. Manager – IAM Sales, Mann and Hummel Filter Private Ltd., presented the company details highlighting its technological leadership in the filtration segment.