The Anand Operating Engineer Model - Anand Group
The Anand Operating Engineer Model - Anand Group
The Anand Operating Engineer Model - Anand Group
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THE ‘ANAND OPERATING ENGINEERS MODEL’ :<br />
AN INDUSTRY BENCHMARK<br />
Over 90% of the shop floors at <strong>Anand</strong>’s manufacturing facilities are manned by knowledge workers<br />
–‘<strong>Operating</strong> <strong>Engineer</strong>s’<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Operating</strong> <strong>Engineer</strong> model pioneered by <strong>Anand</strong> is today an Industry benchmark recognised across the board as<br />
a unique model, which has remarkably captured the essence of the concept of using “knowledge workers” in a<br />
manufacturing environment. <strong>The</strong> ‘<strong>Operating</strong> <strong>Engineer</strong>s’ as they are popularly known as are a shining example of<br />
what innovative HR thinking can achieve.<br />
Today the <strong>Anand</strong> <strong>Group</strong> has over 4,000 <strong>Operating</strong> <strong>Engineer</strong>s in 39 plants spread over 8 states in India. <strong>The</strong> success of<br />
this “knowledge worker” model is clearly visible from the fact that all these plants have complete flexibility and<br />
agility to meet the ever increasing expectations from the customers while maintaining a young and dynamic<br />
workforce in the age group of 22-24 years. <strong>The</strong>se knowledge workers have a minimum educational qualification as<br />
diploma engineers.<br />
<strong>The</strong> origins of the <strong>Model</strong> – Early ‘90s<br />
Such a happy and unique situation can trace its origins back to the early 1990s when Gabriel was setting up a plant<br />
in Ambad, Nashik. Characteristically, <strong>Anand</strong> was in the process of introducing another ahead of its time and first – in<br />
- class initiative of “Cellular manufacturing” in India at this plant. This simply put, meant single operators would<br />
operate multiple machines, rather than the usual practice of one operator per machine.<br />
Some of the ‘Cells’ proposed to be installed at this plant were expensive – about Rs.10 million a piece, and hence it<br />
was imperative that people who operated them should have the requisite capabilities and education to handle
THE ANAND ‘OPERATING ENGINEERS’ MODEL<br />
AN INDUSTRY BENCHMARK<br />
them well. This is when the idea of hiring diploma engineers took birth with a view to moving away from the<br />
practice of hiring simple matriculates, as was the norm until then.<br />
A group of Diploma <strong>Engineer</strong>s was hired on an experimental basis. However, the delivery of the machinery to the<br />
Nashik plant was delayed by around six months. <strong>The</strong> Plant Manager at the time, who also happened to be a retired<br />
Officer from the Indian Army, was well versed in the methodical training of work force and took it upon himself to<br />
use this fallow time in effectively developing his team. Special training modules were created that taught the<br />
operators about attitude, responsibilities to their tasks and towards the machinery and shop floor discipline. He<br />
further advanced their technical skills by teaching them the 7 Tools of Quality, how to read engineering drawings<br />
and a whole host of other practical applications that would be really helpful.<br />
<strong>The</strong> training took these ‘freshers’ to a much higher level in terms of knowledge and the discipline of working on<br />
expensive and sophisticated machines. When the machinery arrived and was installed, the employees were<br />
already familiar with their jobs and rearing to get started.<br />
A Successful Outcome – <strong>The</strong> ‘<strong>Operating</strong> <strong>Engineer</strong>’ <strong>Model</strong> is born<br />
Such was their enthusiasm and skill level that the plant achieved its rated output in a matter of two months rather<br />
than the typical timeline of a year!<br />
This is how the “<strong>Operating</strong> <strong>Engineer</strong>” model was born and became the inspiration that saw its replication in every<br />
location of <strong>Anand</strong> and has further evolved over the years to have taken the shape it has today.<br />
A Training and Development process that creates seasoned Operators<br />
It is indeed a tremendous sense of satisfaction that envelops management and operators alike. OE’s are put through<br />
a minimum 40 hour training and are also encouraged to complete their graduation/further education alongside<br />
their jobs. Typically, the OE at the end of his tenure turns out to be a seasoned operator fully capable of taking up<br />
higher responsibility within the company or moving out to jobs of a higher level in the industry at large.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Unique advantages of the model<br />
<strong>The</strong> ensuing benefits of this model are largely evident in terms of the company having a continuing pipeline of a<br />
young educated work force resulting in heightened customer confidence; a ready and valuable talent pool for the<br />
company as well as the industry at large besides generating a substantial amount of goodwill all around, as this<br />
army of lifetime brand ambassadors of <strong>Anand</strong> moves ahead.<br />
It is commendable to say the least, that today three <strong>Anand</strong> plants are headed by people who started out as<br />
<strong>Operating</strong> <strong>Engineer</strong>s; 7% (about 30) of <strong>Anand</strong> Managers are ex-operating engineers and over 200 are today working<br />
as first line management staff (Asst Managers/ Shift supervisors).<br />
Women <strong>Engineer</strong>s on the shop Floor<br />
This model also actively includes the employment of female Diploma <strong>Engineer</strong>s as<br />
well.<br />
Today there are nearly over a 1000 female operating engineers working at <strong>Anand</strong><br />
locations. <strong>The</strong>y are hired from across the country with nearly 300 being hired every<br />
year. Over 95% of the workforce on the shop floor of Takata India comprises of women<br />
– total testimony to the success of the women operators concept. Working on an<br />
<strong>Anand</strong> shop floor has emerged as an excellent employment option for young women<br />
diploma holders as the advantages are many as well understood by them.<br />
It is hardly surprising that this ’Knowledge Worker’ <strong>Model</strong> pioneered by <strong>Anand</strong> is<br />
regarded as a Benchmark by companies within and outside the industry all keen to<br />
study and understand its intricacies.<br />
While the Force moves on.