Bangalore, June 23, 2021.

In line with its unwavering commitment to contribute to the human development efforts of the automotive industry, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM), today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA). As per the MoU, TKM through its training arm Toyota Learning and Development India (TLDI) will share its best practices like people development and lean management principles with the industry members of ACMA.

The MoU aligns with TKM’s continuous efforts in providing ‘Lifelong Learning’ to all its stakeholders including employees, suppliers, and industry peers to help them achieve their fullest potential in the ever-evolving skilling landscape. As per the MoU, TKM will impart 131 training programs focusing on principles of lean manufacturing, automobile and electrified vehicle technologies, industrial safety, environmental management systems, quality and supply chain management and trades such as automobile welding, car painting, mechatronics, automation and robotics. The training programs will be conducted either at the TKM manufacturing plant or at the premises of the ACMA member companies. TKM will deploy trainers who are certified by the Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC), Japan and Toyota’s Asia-Pacific Global Production Center (AP-GPC), Thailand.

Commenting on the joint initiative, Mr. Vinnie Mehta, Director General, ACMA, said, “The MoU between ACMA and Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) for people’s development is a step in the right direction to prepare our human resources for the future. It will not only benefit ACMA member companies but will also help India to become a world-class automotive manufacturing hub through the deployment of efficient, agile, and best-in-class practices.

Further, the pandemic has led to realigning the shop floors to ensure sustainable manufacturing with safety. Auto components manufacturers who will undergo skilling under this joint TKM-ACMA initiative, will be endowed with skills and knowledge for creating a manufacturing ecosystem that can overcome the challenges of disruptions and ensure business continuity,” he added. 

Sharing his thoughts on the tie-up, Mr. G. Shankara, Vice President, Human Resources and Services, TKM, said, “People are the most important asset at Toyota and thus developing them forms the fulcrum of our company’s philosophy. The ‘Toyota Way’ focuses on the quest for improvement by encouraging both incremental and breakthrough innovative thinking. Today, every organization is looking for a silver lining as they adapt to the new normal and make work more productive and flexible. Toyota Production System which is a globally renowned approach for the auto industry helps in building lean and agile systems. We are happy to share Toyota’s know-how and contribute to the human development of the auto components industry. We are hopeful that our association with ACMA in facilitating skill-upgradation for the components manufacturers will go a long way in creating a sustainable, robust and future-ready automotive supply chain in the country,” he added.