Simplex Metalica
Simplex Metalica manufactures rolled chassis frames for MAN Force trucks. The company started manufacturing long members of Shaktiman Trucks (MAN Design) for its vehicle factory in 1975, followed by complete chassis frame assembly for Nissan Trucks also for Defence Vehicle Factory. Simplex has the capacity to manufacture truck chassis long members both by rolling process with the cold forming mill and by pressing on 10-metre hydraulic presses for capacity ranging from one ton to 50-ton trucks.
To cater to various vehicle manufacturers’ needs, Simplex at Jabalpur has created the capacity to manufacture long members for 60,000 vehicles per annum in the plant comprising of modern press shop, cold forming mill, CNC punching machines, robotic plazma cutting, paint shop with pre-treatment plant, baking ovens, etc., with a covered area of 125,000 sq. ft. spread over six acres of land. This capacity and indigenous technology created by them has helped to develop and indigenise long members for Swaraj Mazda, Volvo Eicher commercial vehicles, Vehicle Factory and MAN Force Trucks Ltd. The development of prototypes for different models in the least time and at the lowest cost and meeting customers’ requirement of small lot sizes in different models incorporating new changes have mainly accounted for the success of Simplex.
Mr. Prashanth Shah, Director, Simplex Metalica, says: “The development of a critical load bearing component of a world class truck was made easy because of the team work approach of MAN Force. Particularly the visit to MAN’s facility in Germany was an eye-opener for us. It broadened our horizon and helped us understand the superior technologies available for manufacturing chassis long members. Force Motors has a world class tool room. The support received from MAN Force for tooling made the whole developmental work easy. We have been able to develop as many as 33 types of chassis long members having payload of from 15 tons to 49 tons, in a short span of time”.
Pinnacle
Pinnacle Industries Ltd. has been supplying seating systems, steering wheels, side panels and other interior parts to MAN Force Trucks Pvt. Ltd. Pinnacle is one of the largest commercial vehicle seating companies in the country and its plant is located very close to the MAN Force factory at Pithampur.
MGI Coutier Exotech Industries
MGI Coutier Exotech Industries Ltd. (MEIPL) was well poised to meet the expectations of MAN Force in terms of technology and quality required, thanks to its European connections of the last 10 years.
The development of the braking tubing system was entrusted to MEIPL and its group company Voss Exotech Automotive Ltd. (VEAPL) on the basis of their track record of having successfully implemented European Standards in the field of brake tubing and connectors in India with manufacturers like Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland.
Mr. Umesh Kothari, Managing Director of MEIPL, observes: “The entry of MAN Force trucks is a major event in the commercial vehicle industry of India. Till date, the truck industry does not have an international player in the volumes segment. The development phase was a critical one as the mandate was to meet the MAN technical standards, at the Indian price tag. MAN experts played a crucial balancing role to ensure that Indian engineering would meet their requirements”.
Tool Holder
Tool Holder Private Ltd. at Belgaum in Karnataka has been manufacturing gear shifter forks and other critical components for Force Motors since 1997. The company has developed two very critical components for MAN Force trucks, shifter forks and engine bearing caps. Both parts are made out of SG iron route and then machined to the critical dimensions as per the MAN and ZF drawings.
The development involved close co-operation with the MAN Force Product Engineering Group right from the beginning to decide on the machinery and tooling required for the project, says Mr. Dilip Bhagwat, Managing Director of Tool Holder.
“The patterns for engine bearing caps and gear shifter forks were made using the 3D images provided by MAN Force. The patterns suitable for shell castings were manufactured and SGI 600 / 3 castings for shifter forks and engine bearing caps were developed locally. The suitable jig fixtures for man forks and bearing caps were designed and developed in-house and appropriate tools were procured from Indian companies in consultation with the MAN Force technical team, adds Mr. Bhagwat.
Tool Holder has been supplying all these critical parts to MAN Force trucks since last two years. It is also geared to cater to the requirements of MAN Force and also to the spares required by MAN Germany.
Rajshree Engineering
Rajshree Engineering was amongst the first few vendors to the MAN Force JV. The company was chosen to supply chassis assembly and several sheet metal components and brackets. In fact, the first few trucks which rolled out in April 2006 were already on the chassis frame supplied by Rajshree.
Mr. Siddarth Bhargava, Director, Rajshree Engineering, says: “The last 3 years have been a very wonderful journey full of learning at every step supported by officials from both Force Motors and MAN, Germany. We were also given an opportunity to visit various MAN facilities in Germany including Steyr, Nurenburg, Munich, Gustavburg and Penzburg to study the processes being followed their and to implement them at our facilities in India. During this journey we have built quality in every step of manufacturing process and are today very proud that component supplied by us are also being sent to various markets outside India as part of MFTPL-TIB exports”.
