News | Spotlight

TAFE wins 3 awards at Frost & Sullivan’s GMLA 2018

TAFE Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited, has won 3 awards in the “Frost & Sullivan Global Manufacturing Leadership Award” in the categories of Supply Chain Management, and Enterprise Integration and Technology, for the year 2018. The TAFE team received the awards at the Frost & Sullivan Manufacturing Leadership Awards at Huntington Beach in California, USA, on June 13, 2018.

Frost & Sullivan’s Manufacturing Leadership Awards, now in their 14th year, honor companies and individual leaders that are shaping the future of global manufacturing. Winning projects and individual manufacturing leaders have demonstrated achievement in clearly defined categories, and are chosen by a panel of expert judges for results that have delivered clear and compelling value, return on investment, and other tangible outcomes.

The awards are as follows:

  • Enterprise Integration and Technology Leadership Award for “TAFE Digital Quality Management System”
  • Supply Chain Leadership Award for “TAFE Supplier Risk Management Model”
  • Supply Chain Leadership Award for “TAFE Differential Engagement Model”

To quote Frost & Sullivan, “TAFE is now among an esteemed group of leaders who are shaping the future of global manufacturing.”

News | Events

TAFE TRIBE launches a new store at Sembiam!

TAFE TRIBE is the original merchandise portal of TAFE, offering a range of interesting, high quality products that embody the essence of the TAFE’s brand, its globally renowned standards of design, quality and efficiency.

Capturing the spirit of TAFE and its people, the products under TAFE TRIBE build a brand new way of life. They are like a badge of honour; a proud proclamation; a marker of identity and living the TAFE way of life.

After a successful year of operation with the lounge store at TAFE head office and the online store, TAFE TRIBE is proud to announce that its newest store at the TAFE Sembiam Plant, Chennai, was inaugurated on 28 June, 2018. The much awaited store presents an amazing range of apparel, travel gear, stationery items, collectibles, gifts and lifestyle gear, carefully curated and designed to reflect the TAFE brand.

The store was inaugurated by Mr. John Edwin (President and Chief Officer), Mr. Shaik Rahiman (Vice President Manufacturing), and Niraj Jain (Head of Materials). The drone parade carrying the TAFE TRIBE flag was a marvel for everyone, piquing their interest and drawing them to the store. Balloons, buntings, and banners in the classic TRIBE colours red and white added to the festive environment of the store launch.

The store was extremely well received and hopes to promote TAFE’s way of life to all. Do drop by at the TAFE TRIBE Store at Sembiam and shop from the exciting collection of Original TAFE Merchandise. You can also shop online at tafetribe.com and avail free delivery pan-India on orders above Rs. 500.

Gear up with authentic TAFE Merchandise. Live the Brand. Join the TRIBE.

The TAFE team at HAU's Agri-EPI Centre
News | Spotlight

TAFE and HAU collaborate to develop sustainable agriculture solutions

Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited TAFE has entered into a new international collaboration with UK based Harper Adams University (HAU) to develop advanced technological, agronomic and educational solutions for the delivery of sustainable food production around the world.

HAU is an agriculture university established in 1901 in the United Kingdom. HAU’s Agriculture Engineering Precision and Innovation – Agri-EPI Centre is one of the four national Centres for Agricultural Innovation created as part of the £17.7m UK government investment from UK’s Strategy for Agricultural Technologies to help provide engineering and precision agriculture solutions for the agri-food industry.

The collaboration with HAU’s Agri-EPI Centre will include joint research projects and programmes, joint publications and staff exchanges. The areas of research will focus on agriculture, engineering and technology development programmes on autonomous farming and energy efficient implements, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) systems and sensor technologies, and the Hands free hectare project to be implemented at JFarm India – TAFE’s adaptive agriculture research centre.

TAFE President & COO – Mr. T R Kesavan said, “TAFE’s collaboration with Harper Adams – Agri-EPI Centre is a reaffirmation of TAFE’s commitment to its vision of ‘Cultivating the World’ as it aims to combine integrated farming techniques with precision agriculture and engineering to develop sustainable farming models that work for both marginal and large farms. This collaboration will provide opportunities for developing a range of advanced training skills, learning and the promotion of international technology transfer and exchange.”

Engineers from TAFE have moved into the new Agri-EPI Centre on the Harper Adams University campus to work on the centre’s first major research and development project. On the team’s arrival, Harper Adams University engineering lecturer, Kit Franklin said, “We at Harper Adams have been building contacts with TAFE for the last 18 months. It’s great to now have this young and enthusiastic team of engineers from TAFE’s Centre of Excellence here in the UK where we’re about to start our first collaborative engineering project. Along with the completion of the project, I hope the team will get a flavour of British agriculture, helping them to return with fresh new ideas.”

Welcoming them to the Agri-EPI Centre, Lee Williams – Newport Centre Hub Manager said, “We’re extremely excited about the first major R&D project coming into the centre, but even more so as it’s a large global tractor manufacturer that’s working in collaboration with Harper Adams.”

TAFE ‘Cultivating The World’ with learning
News | Spotlight

TAFE ‘Cultivating The World’ with learning

At Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited (TAFE), learning is an integral part of its ethos. As a learning organization, TAFE pioneered the development of its employees and channel partners through various training modules at the ‘Product Training Centre’ way back in the 1960’s, which was the first of its kind in the tractor industry. Over the years, TAFE’s commitment to learning has expanded and evolved, leveraging the latest technology to support and encourage its employees to constantly develop and upgrade themselves.

As part of this journey, TAFE was honoured at the 2018 India Innovation Awards by Skillsoft and SumTotal for ‘Creating an Impact in Leadership Development’ amidst HR, L&D industry stalwarts at its India Perspectives 2018 conference. This award honours an organization that develops and implements best-in-class integrated learning and/ or talent programs that demonstrate strong results. Programs feature innovation to overcome challenges and realize success.

Spearheaded by TAFE E-University and the Business Excellence team, the leadership development program -internally branded as LA CAFÉ, is offered as part of the Joy of Execution Excellence (JoEE) initiative. Considering the great need to develop CSF project leaders in the organization who are hard-pressed for time to attend a complete classroom based learning, TAFE partnered with Skillsoft to offer world class online programs, designed and delivered to meet various business needs in a blended learning mode.

The program focused on boosting the success rate of strategic projects by improving the competency levels of Critical Success Factor (CSF) project leaders within the organization. It aimed to develop the project management skills of CSF project leaders in the identified skill gap areas. The skill gaps were consolidated by in-person conversations with business leaders and surveys. The six modules from Skillsoft Leadership Advantage (SLA) to address the critical areas which were contributing to project success were: – Leading Effective Meetings, Problem Solving and Decision Making, Project Management, Managing Conflict, Influence and Persuasion, and Managing Upward Relationships.

The program followed a blended learning approach that provided the right mix of, self-paced learning for leaders to learn anytime anywhere, online webinars to value-add to the online content and motivate learners, café type workshops to encourage collaborative and social learning, business whatsapp conversations to engage and discuss key concepts, senior leader perspectives to align the learning with TAFE’s context, LA CAFÉ buddy for peer motivation to learn, and gamification to make learning fun and engaging. The program’s framework of ‘Learn – Apply – Share – Institutionalize’, supported learners to apply their learning to the projects they are leading, and also transfer best practices to organizational projects by means of horizontal deployment.

The recognition validates TAFE’s constant endeavour to build a continuous learning culture and encourage knowledge sharing. TAFE e-University and Business Excellence team are at an important juncture in the transformation journey, aligning business needs to learning and knowledge sharing, and thereby impacting the business’s bottom-line.

Congratulations to the TAFE E-University and Business Excellence team on this accolade and for ‘Cultivating The World’ with learning.

TAFE tractor ambulance drives jumbo to safety!
Read | Inclusive

TAFE Tractor ambulance drives jumbo to safety!

What does an elephant and a TAFE tractor have in common? Other than the power and rugged structure there’s not much of a connection you can make. Here’s a unique story from Sri Lanka of a ailing baby elephant that was unable to join its herd, and a TAFE tractor helped it get medical assistance. Continue reading to know more about this heart-warming story.

The vets and rescue team spotted a baby elephant that was sick and unable to join its herd. Attempts were made to help it move, but in vain. Then the rescue team decided to transport the animal to an elephant orphanage where it could be treated. But moving the baby elephant was no easy task.  And they quickly accomplished the task of transporting the elephant to safety with the help of a TAFE tractor.

They hitched a detachable trolley to the tractor and converted it into a makeshift ambulance!

After several attempts at pulling and pushing the elephant onto the trolley, the vets and rescue team finally managed to onboard the elephant. The uphill climb seemed daunting, but the TAFE 45 DI tractor proved its reliability and power in this time of need and successfully made it to the top with the jumbo seated comfortable on the trolley. They even crossed a small river in the midst where they poured water on the laying elephant and continued on their journey.

The baby elephant was then rushed to a medical facility where the vets treated the wounds and administered drips once again while moving it to the elephant orphanage in an other vehicle.

TAFE’s tractors are renowned world over for their remarkable capability on and off the field, but this one is very special. Nurturing has always been a way of life at TAFE, whether it is helping people and farmers all over the world prosper, or coming to the rescue in the hour of need, regardless of nature of the job. Yet another heart-warming story in our journey of #Cultivating Lives, Happiness and #CultivatingTheWorld.

Read more here: https://goo.gl/W43y1k

 

TAFE recognized for its 'Be a #FarmDost' initiative
News | Spotlight

TAFE’s ‘Be a #FarmDost’ digital movement recognized for highlighting the importance of farmers and the farming

The Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited (TAFE) – ‘Be a #FarmDost‘ – initiative has been at the forefront of highlighting the importance of farmers and, helping the urban society appreciate the hard work of farmers through various digital media communications and on-ground activities which has brought farmers and the urban population together. These efforts were validated with the ‘Be a #FarmDost’ initiative winning awards at the IAA Olive Crown Awards, PRCI’s Corporate Collaterals Award, ACEF’s 7th Global Customer Engagement Awards, the Rural Marketing Forum & Awards and, the Making of Developed India Awards.

TAFE was bestowed the Chanakya Award in the category ‘Communication Idea of the Year’ for its ‘Be a #FarmDost’ initiative by the Public Relations Council of India (PRCI) during the 12th Global Communication Conclave held in Pune. The TAFE group was among the top winners, winning 15 awards across different categories.

At the prestigious IAA Olive Crown Awards 2018 hosted by International Advertising Association (IAA) India Chapter in Mumbai, TAFE was awarded the Silver Olive Crown in the Events category for its ‘Be a #FarmDost’ initiative’s, ‘National Farmers’ Day’ event for ‘Creative Excellence in Communicating Sustainability’. And at the Asia Pacific Customer Engagement Forum’s (ACEF) ‘7th Global Customer Engagement Awards’, TAFE’s ‘Be a #FarmDost’ initiative won two gold awards. One for its ‘National Farmers’ Day’ event for the ‘Successful use of CSR Activity’ in the Events & Promotions category, and one for its #ThankYouTohBol TV commercial for ‘Creativity’ in the Television category.

The ‘Be a #FarmDost’ initiative by TAFE was also recognized as the ‘Social Development Campaign of the Year’ by the Rural Marketing Forum & Awards. The award recognizes development and integrated marketing concepts which aim to bring about social change for the greater good. TAFE’s ‘Be a #FarmDost’ initiative was also awarded at the Making of Developed India Awards, in the ‘Best Marketing Campaign of the Year (Agriculture)’ category. The award recognizes the efforts of an organization/team to increase awareness for a particular product or service.

About the ‘Be a #FarmDost’ initiative:

Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited (TAFE), the world’s third largest tractor manufacturer, launched the ‘Be a #FarmDost’ initiative with the aim to help the urban and semi-urban population understand the importance of a farmer in their lives. The initiative wants to raise empathy by encouraging people to step into the farmer’s shoes, even if for a small while. The idea stems from the thought that if people realize the effort it takes to cultivate a single crop, they would truly realize what the average farmer has to go through, day in and day out.

The ‘Be a #FarmDost’ initiative is simple, to show gratitude to the farmers who are responsible for sustaining and nourishing us. Launched in April 2015, the initiative is spearheaded by the Corporate Communications team of TAFE. In its first phase, TAFE encouraged the urban population to become farmers in a small way using the #FarmDost seed kit to cultivate crops at home, thereby realizing the effort that goes into the food they eat every day. People were also challenged to meet farmers and thank them for their hard work that nourishes and sustains the world. To support this mission, activities have been carried out throughout the country apart from the daily activity on all its online communities.

The ‘National Farmers’ Day’ by TAFE – Be a #FarmDost was held in December 2017 bringing together the urban residents of Bengaluru, and farmers from nearby regions, on a farm to live the farm life and celebrate ‘Farmers’ Day’ with the farmers. The event got urban residents to become farmers for a day, engage with them, and realize the effort and hard work put in by the farmer to cultivate the food that sustains and nourishes the world. The participants got the experience of, cultivating in a farm (teak, pomegranate or sandalwood sapling); tending to a farm by, harvesting red chilies and radish, and de-weeding the farm; making organic fertilizer; taking a tractor ride; and creating a mock farm in teams with the farmers, during the ‘Build-a-Farm’ challenge. The event channeled all the participants’ inner farmer by the activities, which they enjoyed – discovering the joys of farming.

The ‘Be a #FarmDost’ initiative is primarily driven online, building a global community of #FarmDosts, reaching out to them across media and platforms. The aim is to communicate with and bring like-minded people together who relate to the cause and bring the farmer back into social consciousness. Within a short span, the #FarmDost community grew to become 1 million strong on Facebook and is steadily growing. It also has a notable presence on other platforms like Linkedin, YouTube, Google Plus, Pinterest, and Instagram.

The ‘Be a #FarmDost’ initiative’s simple yet powerful message of gratitude and appreciation for the farmers and the profession of farming has resonated with society and is inspiring people to realize the true value of the invisible hero – the farmer.

TAFE acquires IMT brand of tractors
News | Spotlight

TAFE successfully acquires iconic IMT tractor brand

Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited – TAFE, the world’s third largest tractor manufacturer by volume, successfully acquired the renowned Serbian tractor and agriculture equipment brand IMT – Industrija Masinai Traktora.

TAFE’s has had a long association with IMT spanning many decades through business cooperation that involved the supply of components, aggregates and technical support. TAFE will support its local partner with supply of components and aggregates for the rollout of IMT tractors in Serbia and allied markets.

Ms. Mallika Srinivasan – Chairman & CEO, TAFE, speaking on this recent acquisition said, “TAFE and IMT have shared a long mutually beneficial cooperation. This acquisition will play a key role in TAFE’s strategic and growth plans for the future.”

Through this acquisition TAFE acquires the right to use the Brand and Intellectual Property Rights, including the Designs, Trademarks and Copyright (IPR) of IMT.

IMT, an iconic tractor brand is a pioneer in farm mechanization and tractor technology with a wide range of implements and tractors suitable for cultivating agricultural land, vineyards and orchards and infrastructure applications. The implements range includes ploughs, trailers, maize planters, seed drills, cultivators and loader forklifts.

Well known for its indigenous R&D, IMT produced a range of tractors between 35 hp and 220 hp and is a popular tractor brand in Eastern Europe, Northern Africa and the Balkans.

Mallika Srinivasan recognized as ‘Outstanding Woman Entrepreneur’ at The ET Family Business Awards
News | Spotlight

Ms. Mallika Srinivasan recognized as ‘Outstanding Woman Entrepreneur’ by ET

TAFE Chairman & CEO, Ms. Mallika Srinivasan was awarded in the ‘Outstanding Woman Entrepreneur’ category at the maiden edition of The Economic Times Family Business Awards.

Mallika Srinivasan is a thought leader and a strategist, recognized for entrepreneurship, commitment to excellence and contribution to Indian agriculture machinery business and academia. TAFE is today, the third largest tractor manufacturer in the world and the second largest in India by volumes, with an annual sale of over 150,000 tractors and presence in over 100 countries, including developed countries in Europe and the Americas. It is one of the leading exporters of tractors from India.

In a span of 25 years, Ms. Mallika Srinivasan has established TAFE as a quality mass manufacturer of tractors, a lean and resilient organization that can effectively weather the cyclicality of the tractor business. With her special emphasis on product and process development, she has ensured significant expansion of TAFE’s product range. She enhanced and leveraged the engineering strengths at TAFE to design, develop and manufacture a range of products for international markets. Besides tractors and farm machinery, TAFE manufactures diesel engines, silent gensets, batteries, hydraulic pumps and cylinders, engineering plasticsgears and transmission components, and has business interest in vehicle franchises and plantations.

“Only businesses with more than ₹250 crore in consolidated revenue in the financial year 2016-17 were considered. Apart from revenue and profit growth, the jury considered key factors such as sustainability of the business model, governance – including outlined family constitution and ownership policies – succession planning framework, strategic partnerships, product and service innovation, strength of the leadership team, innovation in organisational and family structuring, global business growth and strategic tie-ups among other things.” – ET Family Business Awards 2018.

A fleet of MF 6028 - premium compact utility tractors that were delivered to over 100 farmers in Nashik Maharashtra
Watch | PHOTO STORIES

Mega Delivery of over 100 MF 6028 tractors brings cheer to orchard owners

A wave of red Massey Ferguson tractors dotted the green orchards of Nashik at Massey Ferguson’s Mega Tractor Delivery event where over 100 MF 6028 – premium compact multi-utility tractors were delivered to the farmers.

TAFE certified trainers organized field demonstrations to educate farmers about operating this tractor and multiple implements. Farmers were offered an interesting and futuristic technological experience of operating tractors through augmented reality and virtual reality. The event concluded with a ‘First Time’ display of 100 tractors and a lucky draw for the farmers, with one MF 6028 tractor as the grand prize.

The new Super Torque engine provides 540 PTO rpm at lower engine rpm that results in a lesser load on the engine with no engine over-heating, making it the preferred choice for uninterrupted orchard spraying. It ensures round-the-year utility in agriculture, haulage and infrastructure resulting in consistent income generation for tractor owners. Another unique feature is the Massey Min-Loss Powerline, which helps in minimizing transmission losses to deliver higher PTO hp required to generate ‘mist like’ spray for better crop protection.

The compact yet rugged tractor with international smart styling handles efficient operation of implements and attachments like sprayer, rotary tiller, plough, trolley, loader and backhoe. The MF 6028’s superior ergonomics makes it easy to use and offers greater comfort to the operator.

Mr. TR Kesavan – President and COO – TAFE said that, “MF 6028 – India’s first premium compact multi-utility tractor addresses the evolving needs of the horticulture farmers and their demand for a truly versatile and comfortable compact tractor which can improve farm productivity and returns round-the-year”.

TAFE participates in the Farm Engineering Expo 2018 in Andhra Pradesh
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TAFE participated in the Farm Engineering Expo 2018 in Andhra Pradesh

TAFE participated as the Platinum Sponsors of the Farm Engineering Expo 2018 – Andhra Pradesh’s maiden exclusive farm mechanization mega event, organized by the College of Agricultural Engineering, Bapatla, the Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU) and the AP State Agro Industries Development Corporation Ltd.

The TAFE pavilion was visited by Mr. Somireddy Chandra Mohan Reddy, the Honorable Minister for Agriculture, Horticulture, Sericulture and Agri Processing, Government of Andhra Pradesh, who inaugurated the expo and took a keen interest in TAFE’s products and understanding how TAFE has been contributing to the prosperity of the farmers.

The expo was held at the College of Agricultural Engineering, Bapatla, between February 26-28, 2018, and was well received by the people there. The stall showcased the unbeatable range of Massey Ferguson tractors, and an MF 9500 powered Combine Harvester and AgriStar Implements from TAFE and was well received.