PREPARING FOR TOMORROW

Health and well-being of employees and facilities have been the focus of all manufacturing facilities and will continue to hold the top priority status for the future as well. The next step has been continuing manufacturing in a safe and cautious manner. And finally, retooling and preparing for tomorrow, says Sameer Mathur, Chief Operating Officer, Schaeffler India

- Niranjan Mudholkar

Considering the contingency plans implemented during the pandemic to ensure efficient operations, how can manufacturing leaders leverage on the current learnings for the future?

Well the crisis that the pandemic has led to was totally unexpected and unprecedented. It is during the crisis did manufacturers across the world realise that we have not prepped enough for a pandemic situation ever. I think that has been the first and foremost learning for all of us. But, we at Schaeffler India strongly believe that every crisis teaches us a new lesson and we have learnt ours. No doubt, this unprecedented situation has been challenging and we know that Covid will not last but it will have a lasting positive effect on the workplace. Besides, implementing new ways of working, bringing more formality, discipline and regiment into the shop floor working life, I believe, this would have a positive impact on relationships at the workplace, help improve productivity and raise quality standards. Much as this situation has created a disruption, it has also brought about new sense of belonging and togetherness among teams.