Demystify, Invest in Tech: TAFE Chief

Chennai:

It is low cost innovative lab models and developing strategies to get access to market at a low cost that has shaped Tractors and Farm Equipment to have a presence in 75 countries, according to TAFE chairman and chief executive officer Mallika Srinivasan.

Speaking during a function organized by Madras Chamber of Commerce and Industry to felicitate her on being conferred the Padma Shri Award, Mallika said that when the markets opened TAFE played to its strength rather be in awe of technology prowess of multinational corporations.

“We came up with a distinctive strategy that is to play to our strength, be innovative and also cost effective,” she said.

“Understanding of Indian market was  our biggest strength. Through market understanding we sought to translate it into various initiatives,” she said.

She also had an advice for Indian companies. “Don’t rush for joint ventures to get access to technology. Rather follow a different approach. Demystify technology and invest in it,” she said.

She said the key to success of TAFE was its investment in technology. “We had a technology agreement with a network of institutions. Our aim was that transfer of knowledge should have in the company and in the internal team,” she said.

Interestingly, it is the Indian model that has helped TAFE penetrate new markets in the globe.

She also urged the Indian companies to move forward with an ambition and a vision institutionalisng the organization and build manufacturing enterprise which can outperform the global enterprise.

Earlier, R Seshasayee, executive vice chairman of Hinduja group India, A Krishnamoorthy, chairman Amalgamations Group, Viji Santhanam, managing director of Brakes india, C V Karthik Narayanan, chairman of Ucal Products, N Srinivasan, senior partner Fraser and Ross and N Murali, co-chiarman of Kasturi and Sons spoke on the occasion. MCCI president T Shivaram was also present.