With the infrastructure sector gaining due prominence in the national economic agenda, it is hoped that the electrical and electronics industries in the country will see a boost in their manufacturing, marketing and R&D activities. But are the two sectors equipped to handle the new challenges on the anvil. Are the professionals in the two sectors capable of meeting the global standards? The Indian Electrical & Electronics Manufacturers' Association (IEEMA) holds the key to some of these issues.IEEMA is a representative organisation of 400 companies in the fields of electrical, professional electronics and allied products encompassing raw materials, parts, components, products, systems and services. K Vasudevan, president, IEEMA, informs that "the combined turnover of the association is of the order of $6 billion (Rs 25,000 crore)."
"The member units provide direct employment to 2,50,000 people and indirect employment to 1 million," he adds.
"IEEMA covers 80 per cent of the electrical and electronicsmanufacturing units and 100 per cent of the high-tech units in the two sectors," informs Sunil More, secretary general of the association.
Owing to the fact that IEEMA acts as a nodal agency for a wide spectrum of electrical and electronics manufacturing companies in the country, the association is invited to represent the industry on many councils and committees constituted by the Government. Says Vasudevan, "We are represented in the Development Council of Heavy Electricals & Allied Industry. We are also a governing council member of CPRI (Central Power Research Institute) and on the main committee of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)."
Says he, "Before the Budget is prepared, the government ascertains IEEMA's views on the electrical and electronics industry, on matters like differential duty structure on finished goods and components, etc."
But, how does it help to be a member of IEEMA? Vasudevan points out that "IEEMA undertakes various activities and continues to add new dimensions to itsservices to assist the electrical and professional electronics industry." The main activities are as follows:
Preparation of production statistics: IEEMA circulates monthly production and export statistics covering various segments of the industry.
Compilation of an IEEMA directory: A directory of members is published periodically and is a reference book on the industry.
Upgradation of technology: IEEMA holds two to three conferences with international participation on various specified products each year, each subject being repeated every four years.
Focus on price variation clause: Equitable price variation clauses, covering a wide range of products evolved by IEEMA, after interaction with major users, have found acceptance both by purchasers and suppliers.
Contract terms and conditions: IEEMA interacts with purchasing organisations for establishing equitable terms and conditions for supply and delivery.
Standardisation:IEEMA is represented on several committees of the Bureau of Indian Standards. In addition, IEEMA also draws up industry standards to serve specific needs of the user industries.
Export promotion: IEEMA sponsors high level delegations abroad and participates in exhibitions for apprising overseas buyers of the capability of the Indian industry to supply products and equipment of internationally accepted quality and reliability as well as the industry's capability to undertake turnkey contracts for complete projects. Exhibition: IEEMA organises international exhibition -- ELECRAMA -- which is held once every three years. As the longest exhibition of its kind in Asia, this exhibition offers an opportunity to trade and industry to exhibit and view, under one roof, a wide variety of electrical, professional electronics and allied products.
Says Vasudevan, "We hold international conferences overseas to reflect our capabilities worldwide. Last month we organised a seminar in Mumbaicalled `Trafotech' on the transformer industry. There was high level of international participation."
"The next ELECRAMA will be held between 21-27 January, 1999 and will be the largest electronics and electrical exhibition in Asia with 650 participants and institutions. Governments of Italy and Spain, business associations in the US, Germany and ASEAN countries will also be participants at the exhibition," says he.
IEEMA maintains bilateral contracts with overseas counterpart associations. Exchange of information and literature has already been established with ZVEI of West Germany, BEAMA of the UK, FIEE/GIMELEC of France, NEMA of the US, JEMA of Japan, EEMAC of Canada, ANIE of Italy and KOEMA of Korea.
"The new activities of the association are in the fields of energy conservation, TQM, exports and international cooperation," adds Vasudevan.
IEEMA is also actively involved in the training and development of professionals in the electrical and electronics sectors. "IEEMA is the main council member ofthe Electrical Research and Development Association (ERDA), Vadodara," informs More.
Over the years, the ERDA facilities have been used extensively for the training of professionals in these sectors. The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) "plans to take up the restructuring of syllabi and retraining of the professionals in the two sectors. The ERDA facilities would be utilised for this purpose," says Vasudevan.
He feels that refresher courses on "rotating machines, transformers, cable, etc., will be in high demand among professionals in the industry."
However, he says that "ERDA has a long way to go in R&D," and adds that "ERDA and CPRI must interact more closely to bring better results in research."
What is the IEEMA membership? More states that "the investment of the manufacturing unit, its turnover, intention (financial criteria), exchange of information capability are taken into account in granting membership. The membership has to be approved by the Executive Council ofIEEMA."
Members have the privilege of being part of the first Indian association to be given the ISO 9002 certification. The standards of the association are indeed useful benchmarks for the member units.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
