Actros production shifted to Oragadam plant
Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV), manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz Actros trucks in India, has announced a tie-up with Gmmco Ltd. of the C K Birla Group Co., as part of its efforts to streamline the support mechanism for its premium trucks. Since the transfer of sales & after-sales operations of the Mercedes-Benz Actros in July 2010, DICV has taken several measures to enhance the Actros experience amongst customers.
Gmmco Ltd., involved in sales & support of construction, mining equipment and engine power systems for over 40 years, provides enduring value to customers as a reliable partner.
It will, in future, service all Mercedes-Benz Actros trucks across the country. Its existing network of service centres provides a strong reach in the areas that the Actros operate in.
Gmmco will provide 24X7 on-site service support in all mining locations where the MB Actros operate. On-site container workshops will be set up in select locations with facilities for advance after-sales support.
Full-fledged workshops will be set up as a hub near major mining locations to provide a holistic support.
Meanwhile, production of MB Actros has been shifted to the Oragadam plant near Chennai, leading to overall consolidation of the truck business, with DICV in India.
Speaking on the developments, Mr. Marc Llistosella, Managing Director and CEO, Daimler India, said: “The Mercedes-Benz Actros is a perfect vehicle for the tough mining operations in India. We are happy to announce the tie-up with Gmmco Ltd., to offer enhanced after-sales service and support to our customers. With this collaboration, the Mercedes-Benz Actros customers will benefit through the comprehensive after-sales service infrastructure, reach and trained manpower provided by Gmmco. This will also ensure that our customers will be able to derive maximum advantage out of our top-of-the-line trucks and benefit with maximum up-time. With the start of production of the trucks at our Oragadam plant, the Mercedes-Benz Actros business is well-consolidated to move ahead further.”
Mr. H. Jayaram, Executive Director & CEO, Gmmco Ltd., said: “In this framework of cooperation, our expertise in handling the support for equipment related to the mining industry and pan-India reach will help the Mercedes-Benz Actros customers upgrade their experience. We will offer comprehensive support to all customers through a multi-layered support system and ensure maximum productivity of the Mercedes-Benz Actros trucks.”
Gmmco has created an exclusive business unit, Gmmco HCV Division, for the Mercedes-Benz Actros truck business in Chennai. Gmmco will recruit over 200 direct employees as staff / technicians and around 100 indirect workers at site for truck business in phases.
The first Mercedes-Benz Actros 4841K rolled out off the new assembly line at Oragadam on August 31. Nearly, 90 per cent of the existing supplier base has been retained and the balance sourcing will be done through suppliers who support DICV for its other products.