CEAT awarded Deming Grand Prize

MUMBAI, India — When it comes to business excellence, CEAT Ltd. is helping to set the bar.

The Mumbai-based specialty tire maker recently received the Deming Grand Prize for total quality management (TQM), making it the first tire company to earn the distinction, the company said. 

CEAT s among just 33 companies to ever receive the award. Others to have received the honor since 1970 are Toyota Motor Co. Philps Taiwan, M&M-Farm, Tata Steel and Komatsu Ltd.

"Securing the Deming Grand Prize is a phenomenal achievement for Ceat and a resounding testament to the relentless dedication and unwavering commitment of every member within our organization," Amit Tolani, CEO of CEAT Specialty Ltd., the U.S. subsidiary of CEAT Ltd., said in a statement.

"… This award reflects our pursuit of excellence, our unyielding commitment to innovation and our steadfast devotion toward exceeding customer expectations. It serves as a powerful source of motivation, propelling us to reach newer heights in our industry."

To earn the Deming Grand Prize, a company first must have received the Deming Prize, which awards business excellence for setting and achieving challenging business objectives and strategies that are customer-focused and quality-oriented. CEAT received its Deming Prize in 2017.

Companies also must demonstrate TQM principles, concepts and techniques across the entire organization, including supplier and distribution networks.

Ceat said it is the first company outside of Japan to receive the Deming Grand Prize.

"We are extremely delighted with this achievement," Arnab Banerjee, managing director and CEO of Ceat Ltd., said in a statement. "Winning this prize reflects our robust business systems and processes, leading to the creation of highly reliable and dependable products and services every time. This is delivered through involvement of every employee and all stakeholders making it truly partnership based. We believe that Ceat's customer-centric approach and superior quality standards have played a critical role in winning us this honor."

Founded in 1958, Ceat is one of India's leading tire brands and the flagship company of the RPG Group. Its tires—which cater to a number of segments including two- and three-wheelers as well as passenger, utility and off-road vehicles—are sold in more than 115 countries.

Jefferson City, Mo.-based CEAT Specialty Tires began selling Ceat ag and OTR tires in North America five years ago. It caters to specialty segments such as farm, mining, earthmover, industrial and construction.

CEAT is No. 22 on Tire Business' Global Tire Makers' Ranking with 2022 sales of around $1.41 billion.