Rajesh Rajgor spoke with Andreas Richter, President APAC, SAF-Holland Group, Yvonne Paige-Stimson, Vice President R&D and UK Managing Director, David Ekstrom, Vice President of Global Sourcing, G.S. Chatterjee, Managing Director of York Transport Equipment India, Gurmukh Singh, Director (Sales & Marketing) York Transport Equipment India, and Kiran Kadam, Head of TCI at the Pune Technical Center during the inauguration of their new Pune facility. They discussed the center’s strategic role in SAF-Holland’s global operations. The focus was on leveraging India’s expertise in electrical engineering, advancing software and electronic systems, and supporting both European and North American markets. The importance of continuous product evolution, quality maintenance, and customization for the Indian market was also highlighted. Additionally, they addressed the increasing demand for air suspension systems and the center’s potential to drive innovation in these areas.
The global landscape of automotive technology is undergoing significant transformations, and the establishment of a new technical center in Pune by SAF-Holland and York Transport Equipment India is a testament to the rising prominence of India in this sector. This technical center is set to play a pivotal role in the global operations of SAF-Holland, a leading supplier of highly efficient components and systems for the commercial vehicle industry.
SAF-Holland SE, a leading global supplier of trailer and truck components, opened its new Tech Center India (TCI) in Pune, strategically located near its existing YORK brand production site. The TCI is a crucial addition to the company’s global R&D network, focusing on software development to further enhance their mechatronic systems, such as the Electronic Braking System (EBS) for trailers. With a strong market position in the trailer sector, the center is also geared towards meeting growing regulatory demands like cybersecurity. This move is part of SAF-Holland’s broader strategy to drive innovation and strengthen its competitive edge in the industry.
A Hub for Global Innovation
Andreas Richter, President APAC, SAF-Holland Group, emphasized the strategic importance of this technical center in Pune, noting that it is designed to support the global demand for engineering within SAF-Holland. “We have established a technical center that will support the global demand for engineering. We can find very good people here, and with global connections, we can support all continents with technical skill from India,” he stated. The technical prowess and engineering competence available in India, particularly in the field of electrical engineering, are key factors driving this initiative. Andreas added, “India is placed among the world’s leading countries for electrical engineering, and we want to leverage that advantage.”
This technical center is not merely a local hub but is integrated into the global network of SAF-Holland’s engineering teams. Andreas highlighted that while the center will develop ideas locally, it will also collaborate extensively with global labs and engineering teams. “The cooperation with our global labs and engineering teams will be integral. They will be part of the global team, supporting both the local market and the broader international market, especially as India has immense potential in the coming years.”
G.S. Chatterjee, Managing Director of York Transport Equipment India, echoed this sentiment by emphasizing the necessity of continuous product evolution to meet customer demands. “Customers always want new products, cost savings, mileage improvements, and tire wear reduction. Continuous evolution and development are essential, and our R&D center here will play a crucial role in this process,” he remarked. He also pointed out the challenge of product imitation in the market and the importance of having a robust R&D backup to ensure quality and innovation. “There are people who copy our products, but they cannot make improvements when there are quality issues or failures. We can do it because we have our R&D backup and technical centers.” Chatterjee further added, “Our commitment is to stay ahead of the competition by not just innovating but also by anticipating the needs of our customers, ensuring that we are always one step ahead in delivering value.”
The role of India in the global engineering landscape extends beyond just local adaptations. The Pune technical center will serve the global market, contributing to the standardization of products while allowing for necessary local adaptations. Andreas explained, “The technical center here is not primarily serving the Indian market; it’s serving the global market. It’s important that we have the competence here to see, with inputs from other technical centers globally, how to develop something that can be tweaked for different markets.”
Powering Global Software Advancements
Yvonne Paige-Stimson, Vice President R&D and UK Managing Director, further elaborated on the center’s focus on software and electronic systems. She described the importance of growing the software team in Pune, especially in light of the skill shortages in the UK. “We’ll be establishing and growing the software team capability here in Pune, which I wouldn’t be able to grow in England due to the skillset shortage. Software is fundamental to the safety, security, and environmental performance of every vehicle,” she noted. Yvonne highlighted that the work done in Pune will not only support the UK product but will also find its way into markets globally, including Brazil, Asia, North America, and Europe.
The integration of this technical center into SAF-Holland’s global operations is a significant step toward addressing the growing demand for advanced software and electronic systems in commercial vehicles. Yvonne added, “This center is absolutely a hotbed for what I’m doing with my team for global engineering. The software developed here will meet the evolving safety demands in markets like India and beyond.”
Tailoring Advanced Safety Systems
David Ekstrom, Vice President, Global Sourcing, provided insights into the broader product application focus of the Pune technical center. He indicated that while the center would initially concentrate on the European market, it would also support other regions as needed. “This center will most likely focus on the European demand at the first stage, but we also have the capability to support North American applications, particularly in electronics and fifth wheels. The center’s expertise will be utilized globally.”
The technical center in Pune is poised to address the growing global demand for advanced braking systems, including Electronic Braking Systems (EBS) and Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS). Gurmukh Singh, Director (Sales & Marketing), York Transport Equipment India, discussed the increasing importance of safety systems in commercial vehicles and the role of the Pune center in this context. “EBS is the number one priority globally, and while it’s not yet a high priority in the Indian market, we see a growing trend for safety systems in trucks and trailers.
The Pune center will be instrumental in supporting this trend,” he stated. Gurmukh also emphasized the center’s role in developing customized solutions for the Indian market, adding, “We understand that the Indian market has its unique challenges, and our center here is well-equipped to tailor solutions that meet the specific needs of our customers.”
Kiran Kadam, Head of R&D, Technical Centre Pune, also highlighted the opportunities for electronic development and the increasing demand for air suspension systems in the Indian market. He noted that logistic companies are increasingly focused on safety and comfort, leading to a rise in the adoption of pneumatic suspensions and EBS. “Customers are putting air suspensions in trailers to get extra weight load advantages. As safety and comfort become more critical, especially for drivers, there is a growing demand for EBS in India,” he explained.
The technical center in Pune is a strategic investment by SAF-Holland and York Transport Equipment India, positioning India as a critical player in the global automotive technology landscape. This center is set to drive innovation, support global engineering needs, and contribute to the advancement of safety and efficiency in commercial vehicles worldwide. As Andreas Richter aptly put it, “The ambition level here is global, and we are committed to making this technical center a vital part of our global operations.”