India
The G.D. spare parts center in conjunction with Hitkari Trading Corporation (HTC) has made significant progress and has now expanded dramatically.
The center was set-up at the request of ITC in 2001 at an initial investment of US$84,000. Further considerable investment has been made ever since to ensure that the center conforms to the strict regulations and requirements of G.D. The storage area temperature is maintained between 18º and 26º Celsius, with a maximum humidity level of 60%, throughout the year. The air conditioning prevents corrosion or other damage to the high value spare parts. Dehumidifiers have also been installed. This attention to detail is highly appreciated by the cigarette industry.
The spare parts center, which is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, except on statutory and national holidays, now stocks spares to the value of US$1.5 million.
"We hold stocks on behalf of the customers and have been able to bring down their inventory level from months to between 48 to 72 hours, and that too at no extra cost," according to Arun K. Hitkari, president of Hitkari Trading Corporation (HTC). "This has resulted in substantial savings to our clients."
HTC has amassed a wealth of experience over many successful years of operation, and this is reflected at all levels.
"All of us at Hitkari have a manufacturing background and therefore understand emergencies and breakdowns better than anyone else," Hitkari said. "There have been instances when our commercial manager has taken a flight for Mumbai to Kolkata (over two hours away) or from Mumbai to Bangalore (one and a half hours) just to deliver 20 knives to avert a stock-out situation at our customer’s end – excellent customer service!"
HTC has a fleet of engineers who have been trained by G.D at Bologna, Italy.
"We intend to increase this fleet to at least 15 engineers," Hitkari promised.
HTC engineers have assisted and independently installed and commissioned machines in India, UAE, Turkey, Indonesia, Syria and China on many occasions, in addition to attending to breakdowns and emergencies.
"The progress and expansion of this spares and service center demonstrates the total commitment of G.D. and HTC to the Indian market, according Hitkari. "Needless to say, significant investment was necessary to achieve this degree of commitment, and this has been made."
