The Hindu Business Line : Auto component cos multi task assembly line workers

New Delhi, Jan. 5 Multi tasking of assembly line workers is fast becoming the order of the day for auto component companies trying to tide over the present crisis.

The strategy is to cope with limited manpower when most companies are not renewing contracts of their casual and temporary workers.

Since September, auto component companies have been facing shrinking orders from vehicle makers following the slowdown in vehicle sales. This has left many of the companies deployed with excess labour and over capacity at their plants.

Cross training

For example, Lord Swraj Paul-led Caparo India’s auto parts business that operates about 18 plants employing around 4,000 workers is adopting the practice of cross training its employees.

“During the peak of our business we have workers who are dedicated to different tasks. So in a situation of a break down, we have a dedicated staff to look in to maintenance job. But now when business volumes are down, we are training our permanent workers for diverse jobs at the assembly line,” said Mr Uttam Bose, Chief Executive Officer, Caparo India.

He said that the cross training workers also helps to reduce the cost in deploying specific skilled employees. Besides, reducing dependency on such specialised staff could also aid companies in cutting their production time cycle in the event of non availability of such workers.

Jamna Auto, a leading supplier of commercial vehicle springs to companies like Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland is also implementing similar programmes at its manufacturing locations.

“We have been practicing Total Productive Maintenance over the last two years. But we are now scaling up the programme and educating workers on varied aspects of product parameters, ” said Mr Randeep Jauhar, Chief Executive Officer, Jamna Auto.

The company that currently staffs around 800 permanent workers is undertaking the programme for 300-400 of its employees at Gwalior and for about 40 of them at the Chennai facility where it has just begun the initiative.

“While we already have workers who are tailored for diverse tasks, in the present circumstances when we are employing restricted workforce, it is the best time to reap the benefits,” said Mr A.G. Satvinder Singh, Executive Vice- President, Business Development and Marketing, Lucas-TVS.

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