By R. Natarajan, Managing Editor & Publisher
In the field of auto components, Talbros is the most sought-after brand for years. The group specialises in a wide range of auto components which are well accepted both in the OE and aftermarket segments. With a group turnover of Rs. 2,200 crores, Talbros always believes in delivering durable, quality products.
QH Talbros Ltd., manufacturing steering linkages, is one of the flagship organisations within the group. Though there are several strong rivals in the field, QH Talbros has proved the overall market leader in the country with highest market share in steering linkages. In the commercial vehicle segment alone, it has become the No.1 player and its products have proved the preferred choice of all the leading OEMs like Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland, Daimler, Volvo Eicher, Mahindra Truck & Bus, MAN, SML ISUZU, etc.
In an exclusive interview to MOTORINDIA, Mr. M. Malhotra, Associate Vice President – Sales & Marketing, QH Talbros Pvt. Ltd. said the company has ambitious plans for the aftermarket segment which is growing faster year after year. Despite several challenges being faced by the Indian economy following last year’s demonetization and the GST roll-out, QH Talbros put up an excellent performance during 2017-18 by achieving a record turnover of Rs. 521 crores. Currently, out of the total revenue, 62% comes through OE business activities.
He said that, in order to maintain the growing business trend of its aftermarket activities, the company recently came out with new products such as horns, wipers and rubber bushing kits with disruptive packages backed with the ‘Make in India’ slogan. For instance, the wiper package is being made by incorporating eight languages, including the regional languages of Tamil, Telugu, etc., and is being sold under the brand name of Talbros RAINVANTAGE. While the horns are marketed under the brand name of X-sound, the rubber bushing kit products are sold under the brand name of Mr. BUSHING. Of significance to note here is that all the new packages have a very fancy design and colour for customer attraction, and they are delivered to customers in line with the FMCG products known for their quality standard.
Mr. Malhotra further disclosed that though many companies have opted for parts by sourcing from China, QH Talbros has taken the right means by getting the products from the local manufacturers as part of the company’s philosophy to encourage ‘Make in India’ initiative. However, the company strictly monitors the quality of products delivered by the supplier before marketing.
Q for Quality and H for Honesty
For QH Talbros, Quality and Honesty are the buzzwords. This has been substantially proved by the company’s maintaining the high level Total Quality Management System. All its six manufacturing plants maintain a systematic approach by producing quality products sold at affordable prices. The company has been receiving the Best Supplier Awards, including for TPM and TQM, from most of the OEMs. This is testimony to its commitment to product quality. For instance, the Manesar plant has been recognised as the most modern one for TPM activities by the Japan Institute of Plant Maintenance (JIPM), he added.
Mr. Malhotra joined QH Talbros a decade ago after serving reputed organisations like Kirloskar Oil Engines and Federal Mogul. He is really optimistic about the future prospects of the Indian auto component industry and feels that the next few years will be best for Indian automotive and auto component industry.