CHENNAI: The adoption of the Japanese TQM (total quality management) has seen two companies of the city-based Rane group record dramatic results in business and operational areas and win the coveted Deming award this year.

Stating this at a press conference here on Thursday, L. Ganesh, Vice-Chairman of the Group, said Rane Engine Valves Ltd (REVL) and Rane TRW Steering Systems Ltd. — Steering Gear Division (RTSSL-SGD), had shown tangible as well intangible results following the adoption of TQM. "TQM helped us to manage the growth,'' he said. Further, it had changed the company's thinking. "We are not inward looking as we used to be,'' Mr. Ganesh explained. Rane commenced its TQM journey in 1999.

Command management, inadequate education and training and lack of total employee involvement had all prevented quality standards and process robustness was nowhere near world standard, the Vice-Chairman said.

"We realised that TQM must be the foundation on which Rane would be build,'' he said. Rane Brake Linings Ltd. had won the Deming Prize in 2003. "Deming Prize has raised the bar for us and it is not an end itself,'' he added.

Fielding a range of questions, Mr. Ganesh said the Rane Group was planning to expand the capacity of Sowbhagya Diecast Ltd. (SDL) in Hyderabad, which it had acquired some time ago.

The Rs. 25 crore capacity expansion was aimed at catering to expanding domestic demand and also serving Rane's overseas partners like TRW and NSK.

The group was looking to consolidate its holding in Kar Mobile. Currently, it had 30 per cent stake in the company. It proposed to come out with an open offer to hike the stake to 50 per cent, he added.

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