Anand Automotive Ltd. (AAL), popularly known as the Anand Group, is among India’s leading manufacturers of automotive systems and components and also a leading tier-I supplier to every major vehicle and engine manufacturer in the country. It has its large presence in the Indian aftermarket, with many of its major brands being front-runners in their respective segments. The group, known for its partnership with the world’s best in different product segments, is targeting a turnover of Rs. 10,000 crores by 2016-17.
In 1961, Mr. Deep C. Anand, Founder, Anand Group, launched his very first business venture, Gabriel India, in collaboration with Maremont Corporation (now Gabriel Ride Control Products of ArvinMeritor Inc., USA.,) for the manufacture of shock absorbers. This was followed by the setting up of a JV with Victor Manufacturing and Gasket Co., U.S.A., one among 21 global alliances forged by Anand Group which today has 19 companies spread across 51 different locations. The group has provided a number of technology firsts to the Indian automotive industry over the six decades of its existence, starting with being the pioneer in ride control products in the country.
With its presence across different segments in the Indian automotive market, the Anand Group has brought in the best technology from around the world by partnering with global leaders and has delivered advanced products to its long list of customers in India. The group has been growing stronger over the years and is aiming to reach a turnover of Rs. 10,000 crores in the next few years.
Says Mr. Sandeep Balooja, President – Group Business Development, Anand Automotive Ltd.: “We are currently investing Rs. 1,200 crores in developing new product lines stroke capacity enhancements, over next five years. The group recorded a turnover of Rs. 5,800 crores last year and we hope to grow by six per cent by the end of FY13. With plenty of growth opportunities available, our company expects to reach a turnover of Rs. 10,000 crores by 2016-17. We are looking to increase the contribution from our exports as well and would like to reach around Rs. 800-900 crores from the current figure of Rs. 400 crores annually, over the next 4-5 years.”
Partnering with global leaders
AAL is known for its established and successful partnerships with leading global automotive brands, each a global leader in its field of operation. In the early 1960s, the company had set the trend for collaborating with international players, and over the next five decades has partnered leading global automotive players, including Dana Corporation of USA, Henkel, Behr and MAHLE of Germany, Valeo and Faurecia of France, Mando and Chang Yun of Korea and Haldex of Sweden.
With Dana Corporation, AAL formed Spicer India Ltd. to become a leading supplier of axles, drive-shafts and drivetrain products as well as genuine service parts providing complete system solutions to OEMs and the aftermarket. The company has collaborated with the BEHR Group to bring the best in engine cooling technology to the Indian automotive industry, while with Mando, it has brought state-of-the-art brake systems to India, strictly with the latter’s specifications.
Anand also has a second JV with Mando to manufacture state-of-the art column-supported electric power steerings (C-EPS), at its facility in Chennai. The company works with Valeo for the manufacture of non-asbestos, solvent and lead-free clutch facings with the latest Valeo technology. The integration of these units and operations into a powerful entity and also the offer of several advantages to its various JV partners have made the Anand Group one of the largest conglomerates in the history of the Indian automotive industry.
The Anand Group firmly believes that ‘business is 90 per cent people’ and has continued to maintain its unswerving focus on human resource development. It offers its employees a lot of opportunities for growth within the expanse of the organisation and proudly asserts that its most valuable asset is its dedicated workforce of over 13,000 people, nearly half of whom are diploma engineers.