SIAM 50th Annual Convention

This time the title of the convention was "Dynamics of Managing Growth: The next phase of the Auto Industry".

We heard speakers from Mahindra, Tata, Ford, Toyota, Volvo, Force Motors, TVS, Piaggio, Arvin meritor etc.

This event was full of giving us insightful ideas. However, every one present there was talking about the extreme growth being witnessed by India post 2008-09 recession. All the segments are growing at the rate greater than 25% and the big question was how to handle it. Resources are becoming scarce day by day. Major resource shortfall is expected and that can put a road block to this 5th Gear high speed growth movement.

Major resource crunch is expected in the following areas:-

a. Capital Resource
b. Human Resource
c. Material Resource

Obtaining capital to expand and add capacities to meet the growing demand at a time when there are always uncertainity hanging. Overseas markets are yet to come out of recession fully. Predicting everything rosy will be a big risk.

IT is directly threatening the availability of engineers for Auto Industry. Wrok environment further sometimes put strain on our youngsters who are attracted towards the fast moving career IT industry. Yes, pace is slower in Auto as compared to IT, but definitely far more stable.

Hence gearing up for future requires multi-dimensional wisdom with less focus on technology as advised by Anand Mahindra.