Thimmaiah Napanda: A True Automotive - Pioneer Paving Road For Indian Automotive Industry
Thimmaiah Napanda
VP - APAC, Meritor, Managing Director & CEO
Tell us about your educational and professional background.
After completion of B.E in Automobile Engineering, I joined BEML engine division.Later I worked for Tata Cummins, Cummins India and Honeywell Turbo Technologies. In my current role at Meritor I am responsible for the subsidiaries and JVs in the APAC region which includes R&D, manufacturing, sales & marketing, and aftermarket businesses.
What led you to venture into Automotive Industry? What is the motivation that drives you today?
With 30 years of experience in Automobile industry, I fairly understand the overall structure and key drivers of the market. My motivation to be in this field is the way it works as a complete package in terms of technology whether an engine, transmission, turbocharger or the rear axle as vehicle integration and now electrification, process and systems driven, and high end manufacturing, which is very fascinating and challenging.
Enlighten us about Meritor as an organization. Also Tell us about the unique proposition that it offers to its clients?
Meritor, with its 110 years legacy is a leading global supplier of drivetrain, mobility, braking, after market, and electric power train solutions for commercial vehicle and industrial markets. Including line haul, offhighway, specialty and defense, Meritor offers products with superior performance, efficiency, and reliability. Its 9600+ diverse employee base apply their knowledge and skills in manufacturing facilities, engineering centers, distribution centers, and global offices in 19 countries.
Meritor India is known for its axles, braking and suspension systems for on highway, off highway and military applications. With strong presence in India for four decades, Meritor is currently the largest independent drive axle manufacturer and has manufacturing facilities across India. After market distribution center is in Pune, with 120+ retail outlets across India, and presence in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal. The world class engineering centers are in Bangalore and Mysore.
You have more than 30 years of professional experience, what are the various challenges that you have faced throughout the journey and how did you overcome them?
Over the years, the automotive industry has faced several challenges. I feel that these are the three significant ones - (i) Automotive Industry goes into a transformational change in terms of technology every five six years. One has to keep working on new product developments across the supply chain. Whether it’s an OEM or a subsystem supplier, innovation and new product development are key. (ii) Our industry is very cyclical. We
With strong presence in India for four decades Meritor, is currently the largest independent drive axle manufacturer and has manufacturing facilities in India
Meritor India is known for its axles, braking and suspension systems for on highway, off highway and military applications. With strong presence in India for four decades, Meritor is currently the largest independent drive axle manufacturer and has manufacturing facilities across India. After market distribution center is in Pune, with 120+ retail outlets across India, and presence in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal. The world class engineering centers are in Bangalore and Mysore.
You have more than 30 years of professional experience, what are the various challenges that you have faced throughout the journey and how did you overcome them?
Over the years, the automotive industry has faced several challenges. I feel that these are the three significant ones - (i) Automotive Industry goes into a transformational change in terms of technology every five six years. One has to keep working on new product developments across the supply chain. Whether it’s an OEM or a subsystem supplier, innovation and new product development are key. (ii) Our industry is very cyclical. We
are under huge demand pressure during upturns. During downturns, the entire value chain is expected to reduce or maintain cost and sustain profitability. (iii) I believe people are the greatest assets. I spend significant amount of time on people aspects in order to ensure that they remain engaged and motivated all the time.
What are the changes in the market behavior that you anticipate and what are the opportunities that you foresee?
The entire automotive industry is going through significant disruption. With the new technologies coming in, there will be a significant transformation in terms of vehicles build, operation, fuel types, autonomous, connected systems, diagnostics telematics, and other aspects. We are getting ready for this kind of disruption and I am glad with our progress too. Our Blue Horizon portfolio of e-axles and ePower trains for EVs ensures our readiness, be it a battery operated E vehicle or a fuel cell vehicle.
In the light of your strong experience, what would be your advice to the upcoming leaders in this industry?
There is no substitution for hard work, and realizing that will take an individual to the next levels. Being determined and focused on the goals will help one succeed. For upcoming leaders, it’s important to be clear in terms of what one wants to achieve for the organization in terms of strategy development, focus
on execution, and ensure that the entire organization is aligned with it.
Thimmaiah Napanda,VP-APAC, Meritor, Managing Director & CEO-Meritor India
An Automobile Engineer Thimmaiah has worked 30 years in the automotive industry. He holds a Six Sigma black belt and is knowledgeable about every aspect of manufacturing, His experience, expertise and leadership will aid the company’s continuous growth in Asia Pacific region.
Rewards & Recognition
•Presidents’ Awards and Chairman’s Awards in every organization he worked for.
•Nominated by The Economic Times as The Most Promising Business Leader 2021.
What are the changes in the market behavior that you anticipate and what are the opportunities that you foresee?
The entire automotive industry is going through significant disruption. With the new technologies coming in, there will be a significant transformation in terms of vehicles build, operation, fuel types, autonomous, connected systems, diagnostics telematics, and other aspects. We are getting ready for this kind of disruption and I am glad with our progress too. Our Blue Horizon portfolio of e-axles and ePower trains for EVs ensures our readiness, be it a battery operated E vehicle or a fuel cell vehicle.
In the light of your strong experience, what would be your advice to the upcoming leaders in this industry?
There is no substitution for hard work, and realizing that will take an individual to the next levels. Being determined and focused on the goals will help one succeed. For upcoming leaders, it’s important to be clear in terms of what one wants to achieve for the organization in terms of strategy development, focus
on execution, and ensure that the entire organization is aligned with it.
Thimmaiah Napanda,VP-APAC, Meritor, Managing Director & CEO-Meritor India
An Automobile Engineer Thimmaiah has worked 30 years in the automotive industry. He holds a Six Sigma black belt and is knowledgeable about every aspect of manufacturing, His experience, expertise and leadership will aid the company’s continuous growth in Asia Pacific region.
Rewards & Recognition
•Presidents’ Awards and Chairman’s Awards in every organization he worked for.
•Nominated by The Economic Times as The Most Promising Business Leader 2021.