SPARK MINDA INAUGURATES SPARK MINDA TECHNICAL CENTRE, PUNE

Key Highlights of the facility: Best in class R&D centre equipped with latest test and measurement equipment, development tool chains & environment and fully operational laboratory for supporting development of embedded software and hardware, State of the art EMI-EMC (Electromagnetic interference & Electromagnetic compatibility) test facility to cater to complete suite of design and product validation tests, Engineering and design office covering an office space of around 40,000 square feet which is designed to accommodate up to 400 employees under one roof, A pool of global automotive talent with a strong emphasis on employee retention

by Shrutee K/DNS

PUNE, 31^st January 2018 : Global Automotive Component Manufacturer ‘SPARK MINDA, Ashok Minda Group’ (“Spark Minda”) led by Group CEO,  Mr. Ashok Minda Inaugurated its state of the art facility – Spark Minda Technical Centre (SMIT) based at Chaken, Pune.

Spark Minda Technical Centre (“SMIT”) is a division of Minda Corporation Limited (NSE: MINDACORP, BSE: 538962, a flagship company of Spark Minda, Ashok Minda Group). SMIT will foster the technology development journey of the existing Group businesses and enable their initiatives towards electronification. It will also strive to strengthen and expand the Group’s presence in automotive systems area as a complete System Solution provider. The Centre will nurture innovations to create breakthrough solutions tailored to address the market requirements. It will actively pursue opportunities in the area of new generation technologies like Connected, Autonomous, Electrified Mobility Solutions, Body Control and Multi-function Controllers, Smart Security and Vehicle Access Solutions etc. It would also explore incubation of future technologies like Deep Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, Smart Vehicles technologies, Prognosis and Diagnosis etc. In essence the Centre would be a prime example of “Powered by Passion” spirit of the Group, creating a vibrant work environment which thrives on passion in engineering and technology.

Mr. Ashok Minda, Chairman & Group CEO, Spark Minda, Ashok Minda Group said, “Establishment of Spark Minda Technical Centre is a significant step to propel us towards attaining technology leadership in Automotive Sub Systems domain. SMIT will lead the technology journey of our business apart from steering the Group towards generation of new and future technologies. Our Group is committed to further expand this centre in the next 3 to 4 years to further enhance the R&D and to bring the products faster to the market. It is clear from the forecast that the electronics content in every vehicle is going to increase and hence a strong presence of embedded technologies will secure our future.”

Mr. N.K Taneja, Group Chief Marketing Officer, Spark Minda, Ashok Minda Group, “Automotive customers are expecting more and more technology content and advanced features from the vehicles. With establishment of SMIT, the Group is poised to offer technology solutions to our customers. Our traditional offerings will be enriched with new technology to meet the world-class expectations of the market. SMIT will also chart out a technology road-map in line with technology expectations of the future vehicles. It will help us to position our brand image as technology partner of choice for our global customers.”

Mr. Suresh D, Group CTO and CEO, Spark Minda Technical Centre said,“It is indeed a proud moment for the Group to establish such a state of the art Centre catering to the vision towards becoming the technology leader and System Supplier. We are bringing focus to our journey by redefining our thought process and strategy with global mega-trends in Automotive Subsystems viz. Connected, Autonomous, Shared and Electrified Mobility. The young and vibrant work-force stimulated by the culture of innovation at our Centre has already started showing results”.

Spark Minda, Ashok Minda Group’s legacy goes back to 1958 when the first operation was set up in India. Today, 60 years later, Spark Minda has 35 manufacturing facilities world-wide, and provides direct employment to more than  16,000 people and indirect employment to several thousands more. Over the past few years, Spark Minda, Ashok Minda Group has done strategic acquisitions in Germany & Poland along with green-field projects in Indonesia, Vietnam, Uzbekistan and Czech Republic. Our recent endeavours include; setting up a new manufacturing facility at Mexico, besides acquisition of EI LABS India Pvt. Ltd. which will further enhance our Group’s expertise in Connected Mobility and IoT Solutions. We also plan to inaugurate a new green field, Die Casting facility at Pune which is coming up shortly. The Group has made several fruitful and successful Joint Ventures/ relationships with the best of the automotive industry players around the world in the domain of designing and manufacturing namely; Stoneridge of USA, VAST of USA, SBHAP of China, SILCA of Italy, Furukawa of Japan & UzAvto of Uzbekistan as our JV Partners. We are privileged to serve global players such as VW Group, BMW, Daimler, Ford, Nissan and so on. In India, our prestigious customer names include the leading OEM’s such as Mahindra, TATA Motors, Ashok Leyland, Honda, Renault Nissan, Maruti Suzuki, Bajaj, Yamaha, TVS etc. Our growth oriented initiatives and relationship with some of the most reputed OEM manufacturers have enabled us to report strong growth over the year.

About Spark Minda, Ashok Minda Group (www.minda.co.in)

Spark Minda, Ashok Minda Group is one of the leading manufacturers of automotive components for OEMs.  The US $550 Million Group, with a workforce of more than 16,000 is catering to the leading Passenger Vehicle, Commercial Vehicle, Motorcycle & Scooter, Off-road Vehicle & Tier 1 Manufacturers in India with presence in Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, Mexico, China, Indonesia, Vietnam, Uzbekistan and Japan We also serve to after market segment in India through a strong dealer distributorship of about 500 dealers. The Group is engaged in the manufacturing of three major Systems for automobiles:

Safety, Security & Restraint System

Electronic & Mechanical Security Systems, E- Bike Controllers, Immobilizers, Latches, Striker, Door Handles, Electronic Body Controllers, Start Systems, Power Closure Systems, Fuel Lid Actuator, RCDL, ESCL, PEPS, Hood, Tail Gate, Seat Latch Hinges, LED Soft Touch, Camera Modules, Starter Motors & Alternators, Keys & Key Duplicating Machines & Die Casting.

Driver Information & Telematics

Instrument Cluster, Dashboard Assemblies, Digital Clocks, Tank Units & Gauges, Chime Bells & Relays, Speed Sensors, Temperature Sensors, Position Sensors, Pressure Sensors, WIF Sensors, Wiring Harness, Coupler & Terminals, Relay & Junction Box, Steering Roll Connector, Telematics, Fleet Management Solutions, School Safety Solutions, Intelligent Transportation Solutions, Vehicle and Asset Management and Tracking, IoT and other solutions around Connected Mobility.

Plastics Interior

Injection Molding, 2K Molding Process, Kinematic Component & Premium Surfaces, Garnish & Trims, Dashboard, Consoles, Parcel Shelf, Air Vent, Air Duct, Ash Tray, Arm Rests, Cup Holder, Glove Box , 5th Door Application, Truck Oil Housing, Cylinder Head Covers, Rear Sheet Structure, Coupling, Transmission, Coolant Tanks, Interior Steering, Tool Production.

Aftermarket:

All Group Products under Safety, Security & Restraint Systems, Driver Information & Telematics Systems, Interior Systems.

Four Wheelers: Gear Shift Locks, Wiper Blades, Auto Rollup Relays, Filters (Tractors). Two Wheelers: Wheel Locks, Helmet Locks, Control Cables, CDI, Regulators, Rectifiers, Ignition Coil, Igniters, Relays, Filters. The Group has a fully integrated state of the art in-house Product Designing Cell, Tool Manufacturing, Manufacturing Engineering and Test labs facilities. Many patents have been registered for various categories. The Group is also actively involved and focused towards Corporate Social Responsibility. Under this initiative various programs at Societal and Business level are undertaken.  www.minda.co.in