First oil management system installed at Deutsche Motoren
Exclusive Feature
Horn Tecalemit, a global specialist in dispensing technology for diesel, fuel oil and lubricants, has installed its first oil management
system in the Indian market. The breakthrough order has come from Deutsche Motoren of Faridabad, a well-known BMW dealer in north India whose workshop is now functioning in accordance with German standards following the installation of the Horn TMS III system.
Citing the reason behind installing the world-class oil-management-system, Mr. Rajinder Singh Sehmby, Head – Aftersales, Deutsche Motoren, says: “We wanted to take things to a whole new level and make the workshop faster and more efficient and fulfill German standards; after all, our customers expect only the best service from us. Another aim was to get rid of all non-value-added activities in the workshop, such as having to transport oil from the warehouse, because now the oil is where it is needed.”
The installation at an existing workshop in the dealer facility was also designed to meet future requirements such as the ability to equip more bays with oil directly through hose reels. Horn’s TMS III central unit can manage up to 10 different fluids and dispense simultaneously without any need for operator input. “The workshop environment now looks much neater and cleaner, and the elimination of spillage also saves on in-house cleaning costs. With valuable time saved through more efficient work processes, our workshop is now geared to serve even more cars per day”, adds Mr. Singh.
In order to pump oil, the mechanic has to enter his own personal code to activate the oil flow while, at the same time, the amount of oil dispensed is determined via the job card number which contains information on the vehicle model as well as the quantity and type of oil. All dispense data are validated and transferred to the supplied OilControl software in real time. As of today, the workshop is equipped with two TMS III central units and six hose reels serving 12 bays. The next level of integration will involve interfacing with the current dealer-management-system.
Furthermore, the warehouse and IT team also received an introduction and were trained to use the oil-management-system before it was handed-over to Deutsche Motoren.
Interview with Mr. Peter Petersen
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How important is this first installation for Horn Tecalemit’s plans for India?
This installation is very important to Horn Tecalemit and its brand because of the high visibility surrounding this flagship workshop. In our mind, being an OEM’s approved supplier gets us half way there; the second half is accomplished by truly creating the confidence in today’s market place.
How do we bring this experience to our customers? It is certainly one dimensional to discuss the solution; but to execute it and see it in action is what creates confidence. When the system is fully operational and the workshop can immediately start to see the benefits; it is at that moment when we know that a job well done is the best promotion any organization can earn.
Why do you think the Indian market will go for your systems as we move ahead?
Essentially I see three main areas that will create demand for our oil-management-systems in the Indian market:
1. Increasing land prices make it hard to invest in new properties, forcing a relocation strategy for the workshop outside the main city. Giving up a good central location to expand the business is ultimately the sacrifice. However, with a Horn Tecalemit system in place, work flow processes achieve better efficiencies which translate into more cars/trucks being served during the same time interval. This makes it more attractive for the workshop to remain at its existing location.
2. Elimination of oil losses/shrinkage along with non-value-added activities. Everywhere within our industry, either local or globally, oil shrinkage is a common issue. These losses come in the form of spillage, mishandling, and inventory errors. This leads to margins and bulk purchasing benefits deteriorating quickly. For the workshop, every drop counts! So, by eliminating all the non-value-added activities such as adding extra steps in the handling process and getting rid of the extra paperwork required to track usage, the workshop is now optimized and geared up for future business. The results are a fully-automated system.
3. The car and truck OEMs need an automated and documented process in the workshop. Automation means less mistakes, the possibility to control processes and to make the right decisions on time like ordering the right amount of oil at the right time. All these steps are essential. Vehicle technologies are getting more and more complex, while customer expectations keep rising, requiring more proof that their vehicles are getting serviced properly. When the oil management system is in sync with its dealer management system (DMS), the workshop becomes most efficient.
What could we expect from Horn Tecalemit in the Indian market in 2014?
In the works is a key partnering relationship in this market, and it will be seen as a big milestone for Horn Tecalemit. Once the formalities and final documentation are executed, the partnership will be ready to be announced, hopefully at Auto Expo. We expect this relationship to be promoted and forged as an industry cornerstone. We are currently discussing the marketing strategy with our new partner, and details will be made available soon.