AUM Engineering & Works (AEW), provides complete trailer solutions to OEMs, logistics companies and dealers across Mumbai & Maharashtra. It has carved a niche of its own by providing class-leading trailers to many renowned clients all over Maharashtra and India. Tested and certified by ICAT, the company has been marketing its products as per Trailer or Code AIS 113. AEW, under its brand name, deals in flat-bed trailers, flat-bed open, skeletal trailers, semi low bed trailers – which is in between low bed and hybrid trailers. The company clubs this with quality and genuine trailer parts such as axles, suspensions, landing gears, rim, king pin, twist locks, slack adjusters, scam shafts, ABS, tyres, etc.
In an exclusive interaction with MOTORINDIA, Mr. Subodh Ambekar, Partner, AEW, said: “We are confident of our competence in satisfying our customers and providing them with all they want in this segment on back of not only the certification but also the technological know-how. For instance, the low bed trailers requirement falls under GSR 212. AIS 113 is usually for trailers under the category of width not more than 8.5 feet while GSR 212 is for more than 8.5 feet. We have to get in touch with the Ministry and then they will direct us to the testing agency. Later this report is tested by the RTO. Post which the Mantralaya gives an order that we are affiliated under GSR 212 to make these trailers.” Another factor to note is that the certification and necessary affiliation enables AEW to go in a big way in reinforcing its quality commitment in the market. “This gives us the credibility of being an honest and ethical player in the market. Furthermore, it emphasizes our will to be a specialized and focused company in the trailer space,” added Mr. Ambekar.
Concerted effort
Asked to shed some light on the USPs of the company’s business, Mr. Ambekar highlighted: “We are taking care of minute things to bring in value addition for our customers. Once the specification and details are provided by the client, we work in a short lead time of seven days to prepare the trailer. In fact, within seven days we can prepare as much as 10 trailers. We have systems like the CNC machines to cut the metals. Later the work force carries out the fitments, welding of key joints, assembles the suspension, hangers, equalisers, the mechanical group fits the axles and does the greasing to commission the given project. We also ensure that we have materials for a minimum of 15 trailers in stock so as to deliver on time.”
Expressing optimism about the push in demand for trailers once the BS-VI norms sets in, he said AUM Engineering is confident of clocking a turnover of over Rs. 21 crores this financial year, Rs. 25 crores next fiscal and Rs. 30 crores by FY 2021-22. “The Government is pushing for infrastructure development in the country. Better roads and highways are now connecting all the leading cities in the country. Moreover, a lot of corridors are getting connected. We have the flexibility to sell products from our warehouse in one city to a customer in another city,” he expressed.
However, Mr. Ambekar maintained that the industry is not trimmed of challenges: “The sad part is the liquidity crunch at present which is a bit challenging. In order to push the industry, bank funding for trailers should be considered overwhelmingly. If the banks open up and provide more funding to the trailer makers, our industry will get a major fillip”, opined Mr. Ambekar.
AUM also extends the quality commitment to the spare parts they use. Usually the use of finest products from renowned players helps them to extend the warranty the supplier gives. “Use of quality products like axles from ADR/FUWA/Ashok Leyland, offers customers a warranty of 1,50,000 km. Same with tyres, wheel rims and ABS, we are able to forward the warranty extended by the company to the customer. Apart from this, we provide a one-year warranty on our welds,” informed Mr. Subodh. An important composition is that AUM fabricates its own suspensions. “We don’t buy it from any other company. The hangers and equalizers are manufactured in our factory. Our balances also have the bearings against the bush types bearing suspension, which is anytime superior than the bush types. It increases the life of the trailer and also improves its alignment and balance,” stated Mr. Ambekar.
It is clear with its approach that AUM wants to be a company known for not only its quality but also honesty. “We don’t want to do business with a loss and definitely don’t want to break the rates that the markets across India works to shoot their turnovers. We would rather prefer to sit idle for few months than to gain business by corrupt practices or using false methods. Our services are increasingly appreciated by our customers, only because we can guarantee reliable deliverables,” he concluded.