Industry should adopt engineering management system: Governor

ACMEE 2006 and Global Auto Components Sourcing Fair begin in Chennai

Industries in India should adopt engineering management system that would help achieve product release at the most advantageous time, according to Surjit Singh Barnala, Governor of Tamil Nadu.

After inaugurating the ACMEE 2006, a five-day international industrial trade exhibition, he said that early determination and control of cost impacts caused by design changes, overall production, cost reduction, rapid development of process plans and minimised product development time, among others were critical factors in engineering management system.

Urging the industry to give continuous thrust on quality improvement, he said that 'after sale product support service' was a crucial factor in winning the customer confidence.

He also said that exhibitions like ACMEE could be held in the southern cities that are more 'economical' as compared to other cities that are turning into high cost centres. "These southern cities hold immense potential for industrialisation and development," he added.

ACMEE 2006, the seventh international industrial trade exhibition, began in Chennai on Thursday. The exhibition is organised to provide a platform for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to interact with foreign counterparts. The expo will be on till June 12.

The fair, organised together by the Ambattur Industrial Estate Manufacturers Association (AIEMA) and AIEMA Technology Centre (ATC), will display products from five thrust areas "� automobile and allied services, computers and peripherals, machinery and machine tools, electricals and equipment and electronics and controls.

A concurrent event, Global Auto Components Sourcing Fair, is also being organised from June 9.

This event, which will focus on casting, forging, precision machinery and assemblies, is expected to provide new vistas for SMEs to enter the global market with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). A number of global OEMs are looking at sourcing from Indian companies.

Earlier, Les Ball, director, global sourcing, Baton Supply Chain Management Amsterdam, said the company was looking at sourcing various products from India for its global operations.

He added that Tamil Nadu had high potential for sourcing materials due to its well-managed execution and implementation skills.

K P Shashidas Rao, president, AIEMA, said that Ambattur and nearby areas could be developed for IT and ITES industry taking into consideration the proximity to residential areas and road and rail connectivity.

The two events are expected to attract about 150,000 business and non-business visitors. The exhibition is open from 10 am to 3 pm for business visitors and 3 pm to 7 pm for general visitors.