VP's Blog
From the VP's Desk - Quarter IV (Oct'11 - Dec' 11)Here's wishing you all a happy and prosperous new year. I would like to thank you for the unflinching support in 2011, despite the 'not-so-market-friendly' environment during the last quarter. We look forward to a mutually rewarding association in 2012 as well.
During the last quarter, we celebrated the centennial year of Gates Corporation by holding the 'Technology Day' with our biggest customer, JCB, followed by Megasys and Megacrimp launch. Our diary and calendar for 2012 was released at EXCON by Mr Vipin Sondhi, CEO & MD of JCB. I hope you have received your copies, which provide a brief on Gates' products and services.
We are planning to participate in COMMEX, to be held in Ahmedabad in February, and looking forward to meeting our customers with an aim to understand their needs as well as concerns. We are planning 'Assemblers & Distributors Meet' in March, which will be followed by product training workshop. We are looking forward to the whole-hearted participation of channel partners to understand hydraulics better and provide solutions to end-users. We are also planning to launch higher bore concrete and decanting hose in Quarter 1 and hope to meet the long-standing demand of our customers. In addition, we are aiming to launch sentry services: hose condition monitoring and preventive maintenance in this quarter. This service will be of immense help for hoses, which are used in critical applications where any failure could lead to complete stoppage of operations. Another first from your reliable technology partner - Gates.
Your's
Rajesh C. Bhandari
From the VP's Desk - Quarter III (Jul'11 - Sep' 11)
It's a pleasure to reach you through this medium and share our progress and successes. In the 3rd quarter of this year we have seen market dynamics changing very fast with hitherto no-service, low-priced imported hose suppliers suddenly becoming expensive with the change in the exchange rate, and thus losing their sole USP. It is our endeavor to hold on to our prices by bringing in efficiency and volume gains. However, the inflationary pressure on raw material is posing a big challenge, thus, forcing us to bring a price correction with effect from 1st October. I am sure our customers will understand the circumstances causing this and will support us, as always.
Gates is celebrating its centennial year and anniversary on 1st October. We intend to celebrate by conducting customer events, starting with Technology Day at our prestigious customer, JCB; followed by the launch of Megasys Hose System. A series of Customer Meets are being arranged for the rest of the year to share what Gates stands for. We look forward to be with you on one such forum.
We intend to introduce Channel Partner rating based discounts instead of only volume and timely payment. This will strengthen the brand, relationship and customer coverage. We will personally explain the scheme and will look forward to your inputs before we freeze the same.
We are participating in the biggest construction equipment show – EXCON at Bangalore and look forward to meeting you at the booth.
Your's
Rajesh C. Bhandari
From the VP's Desk - Quarter II (Apr'11 - Jun' 11)
In the continued patronage we are receiving from our customers, our couplings are receiving tremendous response causing service level issues at our end. We are working towards improving the service levels in coming months. Gates hoses and Gates Coupling crimped to Gates specs are tested to last a million impulse cycles in spiral and 0.6 Mi in braided hoses. Our Assemblies will enable the end-users to get complete value from the system. With Megasys – Constant Pressure Hoses and Megacrimp Couplings planned for launch later in the year, we expect to take Indian market to the global level – offering exactly the same products and value for which Gates is renowned worldwide.
With our renewed effort on segmenting the market and focusing on 5 key segments i.e. Transportation, Construction & Agriculture equipments, 3E (Energy, Exploration and Extraction), Process and Specialty, Products and Services, we look forward to our channel partners to defining their end segment and taking segment knowledge from Gates technical team in developing the customers in these segments. This will also help us in targeting focused advertisement programs with the participating distributors in specific segments. With this objective we are participating in process industry expo at Hyderabad from 1st to 3rd September. We look forward to your participation in the same. In the month of August we are also planning to conduct the training program in South and look forward to participation of distributors who have earlier not attended our training.
We thank you for participating in our Customer Satisfaction Survey. We are working on the areas of improvement pointed out and will correspond individually for getting your feedbacks upon improvement. Looking forward to another quarter of success.
Your's
Rajesh C. Bhandari
From the VP's Desk - Quarter I (Jan'11 - Mar' 11)
First Quarter of 2011 was eventful with complete spiral launch and distributors meet in January, IFEX participation in February followed by distribution of channel partner certificates. David Gau, President Worldwide Fluid Power graced the complete spiral launch occassion and also honored distributors for their contribution in Gates India's growth in 2010. At IFEX we were honored to have Mr. Jagat Shah, CMD Inductotherm and Chairman of Indian Foundry Association who unveiled Gajra - Coke Injection Hose. It is appropriate to state that with his patronage Gates India became global supplier of carbon free hoses to Inductotherms' several locations. Inductotherm happens to be our first customer signing for Gates system - Carbon Free Hose+Clamps. This year onwards our Authorization certificates are categorized as Assemblers, Distributors and Dealers. Channel partners promoting Gates system are designated as Authorized Assemblers, Distributors and Dealers are named with sales of hose greater than Rs 10 Mi and 3 Mi respectively. This is a step in making clear diffrentiation to mix and match Vs Hose and Coupling from Gates leading to reliable and durable assemblies.
Another important direction your company is treading is "culture of target orientation". All our channel partners are on sales target which is minimum 30% over last year's sales and have quarterly incentive on achieving the same. With new training facility available at our Faridabad assembly cell, we look forward to conducting regular trainings for which a schedule will be circulated. We request our customers to let us know of your training requirements so that same can be organized.
We have upgraded our website and look forward to your visit and feedback. Please let us know of areas where we can work together to serve our end-users by improving reach, range and competency.
Your's
Rajesh C. Bhandari
From the VP's Desk - Quarter IV (Oct'10 - Dec' 10)
It was a wonderful year 2010 where we achieved over 40% growth. This was possible because of your patronage and faith in our abilities. Thanks for your business and let me assure you that we will strive to live upto your expectations.
Going forward, our focus will be to promote Gates System (Hose, Coupling and Crimps to Gates Specs) so that the consumer gets the benefit of paying premium for Gates Products. To make our customers fully understand the benefit of sourcing hose and coupling from same source, we will be conducting Regional Training Programs in 2011 and look forward to whole hearted participation of our Channel Partners as well as Consumers. We would also like to conduct Safe Hydraulics Training Program for our Endusers and look forward to adding value by conducting Value Engineering to their existing applications.
In the last quarter we participated in Oil & Gas Expo PETROTECH-2010, a segment we have focused to work on in coming days. We are now participating in IFEX 2011, a foundry exhibition to establish our leadership in the segment. We look forward to your visit and sharing.
Your's
Rajesh C. Bhandari
From the VP's Desk - Quarter III (Jul'10 - Sep'10)
During the quarter we conducted a Training program for our biggest OEM M/s JCB India which was widely attended by their Managers. We also conducted training program for our New Distributors who joined us in recent past and it was very well attended. The response to 'Gates System' has been particularly encouraging with all the new appointees showing solidarity with your company. In the upcoming quarter we inted to continue with similar training programs for distributors to educate them about Gates System approach.
Complimentary products launched earlier this year received encouraging response especially Clamps and QRC's - we would like to thank our dealer fraternity for your interest. In the last quarter of 2010, we will be focusing on augmenting more products to the complementary range with Valves and Sleeves getting added. We are also participating in the Oil and Gas Expo PETROTECH 2010 at New Delhi from 31st October to 3rd November. You are all welcome to visit our company's stall. It'll be a pleasure to have you over.
Wishing you all a very happy and fun filled festive season ahead!
Rajesh C. Bhandari
From the VP's Desk - Quarter II (Apr'10 - Jun'10)
Over the past couple of years, despite the economic enviroment not being very condusive, Gates India has recorded best in the industry growth. This has been possible by strengthening the Distributor Channel, adding new end-users and launching many new products. Our philosophy to reach the end markets made us organize several events tailored to market needs and expectations which included Customer Meets, participation in Expos directly and through Channel Partners and presentations to various Industrial Associations.
So here we are, hope you like it. It will be a delight to hear from you.
Your's
Rajesh C. Bhandari