MT Bureau

Rico Auto Industries Limited, the aftermarket division of the leading integrated supplier of automotive components and assemblies, has introduced a new spoof-proof packaging to contain spurious parts. The company that is involved right from design and development in making dies and moulds, manufactures automotive components in ferrous and aluminium machined castings. In 2017 it entered the aftermarket. Spurious products with almost look alike packaging are costing companies a great deal of money and goodwill.

“We have developed a brand new packaging with a phylogenic effect on the whole box but not on the product. Once the box is opened the consumer can ask the retailer to prove the authenticity by putting a screen on the open Lid of the box. Before retailers use to refuse to open the box as there is a barcode on each box that gets distorted by opening the box, but now there are several measures on the box itself to prove the originality of the product,” Abhishek Kulshrestha, Vice President, Rico Auto Industries, said.

After the introduction of GST in July 2017 Rico was confident about a fair playing field and introduced nine new products. Sales increased from INR 100 million to INR 250 million in about 18 months. The company hopes to close 2019-20 fiscal year at around INR 400-500 million despite the slowdown. On the reason that compelled Rico to go for such a packaging he said, “Our market research made us realize that there are many spurious products in the market with the same brand name; this led us to develop a new spoof-proof packaging for our products.”

“We have a policy of launching new product every quarter either for two-wheelers, three-Wheelers or four-wheelers. This quarter we are launching paper plate & paper clutch assemblies for two-wheelers, next quarter we will be launching a product for four-wheelers and till next FY we are also planning to launch a few products for the commercial vehicles market as well. This modus operandi of launching a new product every quarter has added well to our inventory. As of today we have over 500 products for two-wheelers, 100-plus products for four-wheelers, and over 75 products for three-wheelers,” he said.                      

Rico will be conducting awareness campaigns throughout the country among the mechanics and distributors. Earlier there were hardly any safety features on the box to differentiate between spurious and original products. “Now there are phylogenic effects on the box, newly developed design screen recognition method and on top of it we have developed an all-new QR code method to safeguard the interest of distributors as well. This gives confidence to our distributors in being the only distributor of ‘Original’ Rico products in their territory,” Kulshrestha said.

Rico is optimistic about the increasing share in the components aftermarket estimated to grow to INR 800 billion by 2025. “This growing aftermarket will help our market share as well. We are growing every year and we expect to reach a turnover of INR 1 billion by the next financial year,” he said.     

About the short term and long term plans of Rico, Kulshrestha said, “Our short-term plan is to grow gradually in the market and explore new ideas to increase our sales. We are already running a boost initiative programme for our distributors to encourage them. The response is overwhelming even in the phase of an economic slowdown, if we talk about a long-term plan the vision is as clean as a windscreen, we tend to take Rico Auto Industry - After Market division to the new heights and on a successful path of becoming the pioneers in the industry.” (MT)

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Steelbird Helmets has announced the launch of the SBH-23 AVA Glossy cutting-edge half-face helmet. Designed to tackle the challenges of summer riding, it has six built-in air vents that promise exceptional airflow. 
Aimed at urban commuters, the half-face helmet has been crafted to offer comfortable and protection to the rider by using breathable, Italian-designed interiors that are of the ‘multi-pore’ kind, removable and washable. 
Ensuring hygiene and freshness even during prolonged use in hot and humid conditions, the interiors could be taken out for washing to keep them clean and devoid of any contamination. 
Featuring a high-impact ABS shell with multi-layer high-density EPS for superior impact absorption, the helmet is equipped with a polycarbonate anti-scratch visor and an inner black sunshield, which provides clear, glare-free visibility under intense sunlight and reduces eye fatigue. 
Including a European standard micro-metric buckle for quick and secure fastening, a neck protector for long-ride comfort and an anti-scratch coated visor for long-lasting clarity, the helmet is by BIS (IS 4151:2015) certified. 
It is available in a variety of vibrant, summer-friendly colours and sizes of M (580mm) and L (600mm). It is priced at INR 1,299, which makes it easily accessible to riders from various economic strata.
Speaking about the new helmet, Rajeev Kapur, Managing Director, Steelbird Helmets, mentioned, “Summer rides come with their own set of challenges—heat, dust, and long hours on the road. With the SBH-23 AVA, there’s not only safety and ventilation on offer but also elegant Italian styling that riders will love.”
 

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Tata Motors has inaugurated its eighth Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facility (RVSF) in India, located in Kolkata. The facility can dismantle up to 21,000 end-of-life (EoL) vehicles annually and is operated in partnership with Selladale Synergies India.

The Kolkata RVSF, capable of scrapping passenger and commercial vehicles as well as two-wheelers and three-wheelers from all brands, is Tata Motors' third such centre in eastern India. Other RVSFs are located in Jaipur, Bhubaneswar, Surat, Chandigarh, Delhi NCR, Pune and Guwahati.

The launch event was attended by senior government officials and Tata Motors representatives, including West Bengal Transport Minister Snehasis Chakraborty and Rajesh Kaul, Vice-President & Business Head – Trucks, Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles.

Snehasis Chakraborty, said, “The inauguration of Tata Motors’ Re.Wi.Re is a welcome step towards building a cleaner and more efficient future for our people. This initiative will also support the adoption of newer, safer energy-efficient vehicles and create circular economy opportunities within the transport sector. We appreciate Tata Motors, Selladale Synergies and all partners involved for bringing this initiative to our state.”

The facility is fully digital, with paperless operations and designated dismantling areas for safe handling of tyres, batteries, oils, gases and other components. It includes cell-type dismantling lines for commercial vehicles and two- and three-wheelers, and line-type dismantling for passenger cars.

Rajesh Kaul, added, "Tata Motors is committed to driving sustainable mobility solutions while fostering a circular economy. The inauguration of West Bengal’s first Re.Wi.Re and the country’s eighth facility is a significant step in expanding our vehicle scrapping ecosystem. With the cumulative capacity of dismantling more than 1.3 lakh vehicles annually across eight Tata Motors RVSFs, we are proud to lead the way in transforming India’s vehicle scrapping ecosystem with a focus on safety, compliance and sustainability.”

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South Korean lubricant maker Daewoo has re-entered the Indian automotive market under a strategic licensing collaboration with Mangali Industries.

With this association, Mangali Industries will introduce Daewoo’s range of lubricants for the two-wheelers, passenger cars, commercial vehicles and agriculture segments.

Vineet Singh, Director - Strategy & Growth, Daewoo, said, “Daewoo has always stood for innovation, trust and performance. Through this powerful alliance between Daewoo and Mangali Industries, we are shaping the future of high-performance lubricants in one of the world’s most dynamic and demanding markets. With this launch, we embark on a long-term journey dedicated to empowering the Indian automotive industry.”

Sang-hwan Oh, DGM, POSCO – Korea, shared his views on Daewoo’s dedication to quality and customer satisfaction, ensuring that every product meets rigorous international standards while adapting to evolving demands of local consumers.

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German technology and services company Bosch has launched Supply Chain Studio, a cloud-based suite of tools aimed at enhancing supply chain efficiency and visibility.

The announcement was made at the first-ever Mobility Platform and Solutions’ (MPS) Summit 2025. It aims to address key gaps in transport & warehouse management and last-mile operations among others.

Bosch Supply Chain Studio will allow seamless integration with ERPs and third-party marketplaces to meet diverse operational needs. It offers solutions such as transport booking & management, warehouse booking, smart warehouse, bay & yard manager and e-distributor.

In addition, Bosch MPS also introduced the ARC Partner Program – Accelerate, Rise, Collaborate, which it shared will foster co-innovation with partners across logistics, EV mobility, supply chain tech and parking management.

Sandeep Nelamangala, Joint Managing Director, Bosch & President, Bosch Mobility India, said, “The Bosch MPS Summit reflects the collaborative spirit driving the future of mobility. Launching the Supply Chain Studio here allowed us to bring all key stakeholders – manufacturers, transporters, warehouse operators and distributors – onto one platform. We’re excited to work with them and continue driving digitalisation in our supply chains.”

Image for representational purpose only

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