CEAT, a prominent Indian tyre manufacturer, has announced that its Chennai plant has been inducted into the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) prestigious Global Lighthouse Network. With this recognition, CEAT becomes the first tyre company globally to have two facilities included, following the earlier recognition of its Halol plant.
This achievement underscores CEAT’s dedication to embracing Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies on a large scale to foster innovation and operational efficiency. The Global Lighthouse Network acknowledges manufacturing plants that achieve transformative outcomes by utilizing cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), robotics, and advanced data analytics.
The Chennai plant has demonstrated significant improvements, including an 18% reduction in cycle times, a 31% decrease in operational costs, and a 47% reduction in scope 1 and 2 emissions, driven by its eco-efficiency initiatives.
Anant Goenka, Vice Chairman of the RPG Group, highlighted the impact of advanced digital solutions at the Chennai facility, noting a 54% improvement in dispatch turnaround times and a 25% increase in labor productivity. More than 80% of the workforce at the plant now uses digital tools to enhance data-driven decision-making and optimize workflows through automation.
Jayasankar Kuruppal, Senior Vice President of Manufacturing at CEAT, emphasized the plant’s use of advanced technologies to set new standards in productivity while focusing on sustainability. This recognition further cements CEAT’s leadership in global manufacturing excellence.
By joining the Global Lighthouse Network, CEAT gains access to a global platform for collaboration and knowledge sharing with other leaders in manufacturing innovation. This milestone reinforces CEAT’s commitment to advancing both sustainable practices and technological progress in manufacturing.
Established in 1924 in Italy, CEAT is a prominent tyre manufacturer with a global footprint spanning over 110 countries. Now headquartered in Mumbai, India, CEAT serves as the flagship company of the RPG Group. The company produces more than 41 million high-performance tyres annually, catering to diverse segments, including two- and three-wheelers, passenger and utility vehicles, commercial vehicles, and off-highway vehicles.
CEAT holds the distinction of being the world’s first tyre brand to receive the prestigious Deming Grand Prize from the Union of Japanese Scientists and Engineers (JUSE) for excellence in Total Quality Management. Additionally, it is the first tyre company globally to earn the Lighthouse Designation from the World Economic Forum, recognizing its pioneering adoption of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies.
