Empowering Change: Mahindra Accelo's Journey Towards Smart Manufacturing

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"Openness to change is crucial. By involving shop floor teams as co-creators, they become champions for change, which is essential for a successful transition." — Neeraj Bhalla, Group VP, Mahindra Group.

September 2024 : In the fast-evolving landscape of smart manufacturing, organizations like Mahindra Accelo are leading the charge with innovative strategies and a focus on overcoming both technological and human challenges. Neeraj Bhalla, Group VP and Head of Digital Projects - GTO at Mahindra Group, shares key insights from their journey towards implementing connected and visual factories

Bhalla highlights the significance of preparing the workforce for change before diving into technology implementation. "Openness to change is crucial," he says. "Even before we begin implementing automation, we engage with shop floor teams. By involving them as co-creators, they become champions for change, which is essential for a successful transition."

One of the critical strategies Mahindra Accelo employs is backward planning from clearly defined KPIs. "We start with the end in mind," Bhalla explains. "Setting up KPIs early on and mapping out the process in detail allows us to avoid the pitfall of just imagining what needs to be done. Instead, we ensure that every step is purposeful."

Bhalla also emphasizes the importance of standardization across processes, particularly in a diverse organization where different plants may have developed unique methods over time. "One of our key mantras is ‘assume nothing, detail everything,’" he notes. "This approach, although time-consuming, ensures that when we configure systems, we are not merely copying old processes but improving them."

As with any major transformation, Mahindra Accelo faces challenges, particularly in integrating new systems with legacy machines and dealing with varying levels of technology across plants. "Integration requires careful planning," Bhalla advises. "From OT preparedness to laying down networks at the machine level, these are known challenges, but our focus on the softer aspects, like change management, has been critical in navigating them."

Note: Neeraj Bhalla was speaking at Rockwell Automation presents CXO Roundtable on "Smart Manufacturing - Champions of Change," powered by Pro MFG Media.

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