DAVOS, Switzerland — The World Economic Forum L.L.C. has awarded CEAT Ltd.'s Halol, India, tire plant a "Lighthouse Certification," a distinction given to manufacturers that use "fourth-industrial revolution" technologies to transform factories, value chains and business models for sustainability, empowering the workforce and increasing productivity.
The World Economic Forum is a non-profit foundation that engages industry, government and civil leaders in partnerships to shape global, regional and industry agendas.
The Halol plant, which opened in 2011, has capacity for passenger and truck tire production.
CEAT is the first tire company to gain this certification, according to Managing Director Anant Goenka, who noted the process started started three to four years ago.
"To get certified, one has to use fourth industrial revolution technology that includes advanced analytics, machine learning and predictive analytics in their plant," Goenka said.
"Checks and audits are undertaken by the members of the World Economic Forum. The fourth industrial revolution came with digitization, using sensors in different parts of the machine that enables it to become the smart machine. It reduces the use of energy in the factory," Goenka said.
CEAT said it is using the latest technology to advance its OEM and international market presence.
"Important markets that we are looking into growing is the OEM market where the demand from auto makers is present and second is the international market. Both sets are the customers that need high type specifications in terms of production of tires especially," Goenka said.
CEAT also manufactures farm, mining and earthmover, industrial and construction equipment tires, as well as special application off-road tires. It is active in North America in the farm sector through its CEAT Specialty Tire Inc. subsidiary in Charlotte, N.C.
