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MOTORINDIA
l
January 2012
A range of quality products from
3M Automotive Aftermarket
3M Automotive Aftermarket
solutions provide advanced and
quality products that cater
to the entire automotive res-
toration process, with more
than 700 products and a big
global customer base. 3M is
the trusted brand in the auto-
motive aftermarket segment.
From dents to collision repairs,
paint preparation systems to
masking solutions, it provides
a comprehensive range of solu-
tions.
Mr. Ninad Gadgil, Division Man-
ager, Automotive Aftermarket, 3M
India Ltd., spoke to
MOTORINDIA
on the company’s story.
He said the automotive aftermar-
ket has two divisions – auto care and
collision repair. While the auto care
focusses more on two-wheelers and
four-wheelers, the collision repair
caters to accident repair for all kinds
of vehicles. Auto care centres focus
on four-wheelers only as individual
car owners are keener on maintain-
ing the car’s exteriors and interiors
than commercial vehicle owners.
According to him, both auto care
and collision repair products are ap-
proved by them. Once services are
approved by OEMs, 3M appoints
service providers at the dealership
where the technicians are extensive-
ly trained to use the products. The
company is dominant in the non-
paint segment with a market share of
50-60 per cent. The collision repair
business commenced in 1993-94
and is growing at a healthy pace.
Commenting on the Indian mar-
ket, Mr. Gadgil said: “The response
in the Indian market has been fan-
tastic. When international auto ma-
jors started coming into the coun-
products & components
try, our business galloped. These
OEMs were aware of our services
and wanted us to adopt the same
techniques here as in other coun-
tries. We always took a ‘solutions
and training approach’ rather than
upgrading along with import of
products. Training programmes are
held in OEMs in which we closely
participate. Our product lines are
understood well and are specified at
the right stage of repair. The OEMs
encourage the dealerships to use our
products lines due to our hands-on
execution-oriented approach. We
take pride in helping the Indian
body shop technician and upgrading
his skills and processing knowledge.
“The response in the In-
dian market has been fan-
tastic. When international
auto majors started com-
ing into the country, our
business galloped.”
– Mr. Ninad Gadgil
Mr. Ninad Gadgil, Division Manager, Automotive Aftermarket, 3M India Ltd.
By N. Balasubramanian, Editorial Team