Continental India Wins Again at VDMA Manufacturing Excellence Awards

#ContinentalIndia #VDMA #ManufacturingExcellenceAwards #PhanindraKarody

“Sustainability continues to rank as a crucial commitment in our manufacturing process. Recognitions from such esteemed organizations only further enhance our motivation to optimize better in the future.” - Phanindra Karody, Plant Head Bengaluru, Continental Automotive India

September 2022: Continental emerged triumphant for the second time at the 5th VDMA Manufacturing Excellence Awards 2022. Top honours were received in the category ‘Energy Efficiency and Conservation’. VDMA or Verband Deutscher Maschinen-und Anlagenbau Excellence Awards recognizes German Engineering Federation members who have adopted and implemented sustainable manufacturing processes while enhancing the overall global environment.

Speaking of the achievement, Phanindra Karody, Plant Head Bengaluru, Continental Automotive India, said, “This is a great honor and we are happy to have been able to do it two years in a row. It goes to show that we are not just focused on bringing out cutting-edge technologies but also understand our responsibility towards a greener and cleaner planet. Sustainability continues to rank as a crucial commitment in our manufacturing process. Recognitions from such esteemed organizations only further enhance our motivation to optimize better in the future.”

Sustainability in focus

For many years now, Continental India’s Bengaluru plant has been using energy-efficient procedures to increasingly optimize the manufacturing process. The plant not only uses a host of 500KW panels installed on the rooftop to aid the electricity needs but has also set up a 5MW solar plant that results in 94 percent of energy consumption happening through renewable sources, the rest of which is provided by the State Government. Energy saving at the Bengaluru plant has been on the rise in recent years with there being a substantial hike from 2021 to 2022. While 685814 units were saved annually in 2020-2021, 2021-2022 has seen 737053 units of energy saved. Continental is looking to achieve carbon neutrality through its manufacturing processes by 2040 and extend this to its entire value chain by 2050. With a firm eye on this target, processes across the organization are swiftly implementing more sustainable practices.

The award-winning Bengaluru plant is ISO 50001:2018 certified for Energy Management System. The plant also has a Level 5 Rating of sustainability rating from one of the top Indian automotive OEMs in 2020.

Apart from the sustainability measures, Continental also has a strong CSR program with multiple projects being executed in the environmental space. The company inaugurated an Integrated Watershed Development Program in Anekal, Bengaluru, earlier this year. This initiative aims to conserve 280000000 liters of water that will aid the surrounding 8 villages and 2200 hectares of land. Additionally, 150000 trees were planted across India as part of the company’s 150th year anniversary celebration.

About VDMA: With around 3400 member companies, the German Engineering Federation (VDMA) is the largest industrial association in Europe.

Continental develops pioneering technologies and services for sustainable and connected mobility of people and their goods. Founded in 1871, the technology company offers safe, efficient, intelligent and affordable solutions for vehicles, machines, traffic and transportation. In 2021, Continental generated sales of €33.8 billion and currently employs more than 190,000 people in 58 countries and markets. On October 8, 2021, the company celebrated its 150th anniversary.

Continental India: The Company has been present in India for close to 50 years through technology partnerships (Continental Tyres since 1974) and joint ventures for its various businesses. Today, the tier 1 automotive supplier, tyre manufacturer, and industrial partner operate across India – with about 8000 employees across 13 locations, including seven plants that cater to the Indian market and a Technical Center that supports Continental's global R&D activities.

Pro MFG Media Newsletter

Get regular manufacturing insights that matter and enable business.