Ashok Leyland, the Hinduja Group flagship company in India, is a leading manufacturer
of commercial vehicles with a product range of 7.5T GVW to 49T GTW in goods
vehicles and 19 seaters to 80 seaters in passenger models. The Company’s annual
turnover exceeds US $ 2 billion. It has a production capacity of nearly 100,000 vehicles
per annum. The Company exports to over 30 countries in Asia, the Middle East, Africa
and South America.
Founded in 1948 and head quartered in Chennai, Ashok Leyland started manufacturing
commercial vehicles in 1954, with technology from and equity participation by Leyland
Motors Ltd, UK.
In 1987, Hinduja Group jointly with IVECO, the commercial vehicle arm of Fiat, Italy,
gained a controlling interest in Ashok Leyland and its associate companies when it
acquired the UK-based Land Rover Leyland International Holdings Ltd (LRLIH).
With its own comprehensive R&D base, strengthened by collaborations with global
technology leaders, Ashok Leyland has established a tradition of technological leadership
and a strong reputation for product reliability. The history of Company has been
punctuated by a number of technological innovations, which have since become industry
norms. It was the first to introduce three-axled trucks, full-air brakes and a host of
innovations like the rear-engine and articulated buses in India. In 1997, the Company
launched the country’s first CNG bus and in 2002, the first Hybrid Electric Vehicle.
The Company also offers a wide range of special vehicles. For over three decades,
Ashok Leyland has been a pioneer in the design and development of special vehicles for
the armed forces and is counted among the world’s largest producers of medium duty
defence vehicles today. The Company has been supporting the modernization of the
Indian Army by developing a host of modern special application vehicles that include 5 /
7.5T GVW vehicles for GS role, Light Recovery Vehicles, High Mobility Vehicles, Fire
Fighting Trucks and Field Artillery Tractors.
The Company’s all-India customer-base is served through an all-India sales, service and
parts network.
In 1995, Ashok Leyland set up a driver training centre, the first of its kind in India –
offering a comprehensive training package that prepares a driver for life on and off the
road. Over 100,000 drivers have already been trained.
Sustained encouragement to people initiatives combined with regular training
programmes, has resulted in a workforce (employee strength: 12,000) that is alive to
changes in the operating environment. Ashok Leyland is a learning organization and
centre-stage in learning is the Management Development Centre at Hosur.
| Milestones in TQM journey: |
- Ashok Leyland was the first automotive manufacturer in India to receive ISO 9002
certification in 1993
- ISO 9001 certification came in 1994
- QS 9000 certification came in 1998
|
All the manufacturing Units of Ashok Leyland are ISO 14001 certified for their
Environment Management System (EMS). In addition, the Company has taken up
a ‘Greening the supply chain’ initiative so as to extend its commitment of a green
environment to its suppliers.
The company has six manufacturing facilities spread over three states. In its effort
to convert its technological leadership into market leadership through improved
customer satisfaction, the Company has been enhancing its product range by positioning
customized models to suit geographical and application segments.
 www.ashokleyland.com
|
