In an insightful conversation with Rajesh Rajgor at Automechanika Frankfurt 2024, Sudeep Mehta, Managing Director of Sumax Engineering Ltd., discusses the company’s strategic positioning in India’s automotive landscape and its commitment to innovation and cost-effective manufacturing. Mehta emphasizes the importance of partnerships with global players to leverage India’s unique strengths.
At Automechanika Frankfurt 2024, Sudeep Mehta, Managing Director of Sumax Engineering, shared insights on the company’s mission to become a pivotal player in India’s automotive landscape. With Sumax exhibiting at this major event for the first time, Mehta highlighted how the company’s participation was a step toward building connections and raising awareness about India’s manufacturing prowess among global automotive leaders.
“India offers a unique blend of cost-efficiency and innovation,” Mehta explained, describing how Sumax is positioned to support international automotive manufacturers looking to enter the Indian market. He noted that companies from Japan, Korea, and Germany had shown particular interest in forming partnerships with Indian firms. “Manufacturing in India not only reduces costs but also opens access to a skilled workforce that excels in merging technology with innovation,” he said, emphasizing the competitive advantage that Indian manufacturing can provide to foreign companies.
For Sumax, headquartered in Hyderabad with offices across India, the focus has been on delivering an extensive range of products across 14 verticals. According to Mehta, “Customers increasingly seek comprehensive solutions, not standalone products. By offering a wide range, Sumax positions itself as a one-stop solution provider for all you pre and post paint products for automotive OEMs and aftermarket clients alike.” He highlighted the company’s ability to deliver several products and solutions from pre to post-paint products such as Abrasives, adhesive tapes, polishing compounds, tools, polishing pads and die-cutting solutions, covering the diverse needs of both commercial, passenger vehicle and two wheeler segments.
Cost-Effective Solutions, Global Impact
In response to rising global labor costs, Mehta noted that India is gaining favor as an alternative manufacturing hub. “Global players are recognizing that India can be a cost-effective base, especially as labor costs continue to rise in markets like Europe, Japan, Korea and even China,” he observed. Sumax’s ISO-certified facilities in Chennai and Manesar exemplify the company’s commitment to quality and adherence to global standards. “Our in-house manufacturing setup is tailored to meet precise client needs, from product-specific requirements to adopting best practices from markets like Europe and Japan,” Mehta said.
Sumax has also been focused on reducing the scale of its product lineup to optimize efficiency and streamline operations. Mehta shared that the company has reduced its SKU count from 15,000 to 3,000 and aims to bring it down the SKU’s further to around 900. “By focusing on fewer products, we are able to allocate resources better, improve quality, and enhance profitability,” he explained. This refinement process aligns with Sumax’s strategy to invest in technology, partnerships, and workforce development to maintain its competitive edge.
