Consumer Discretionary

<h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Q1. Could you start by giving us a brief overview of your professional background, particularly focusing on your expertise in the industry?</span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;">I am a B.Tech mechanical graduate with 12+ years of experience in manufacturing and process improvement within the automotive industry. Expert in the new lines installation, capacity planning, and development of the Press and assembly components. I have worked in Manufacturing and Factory operations, with experience in greenfield projects. Expert in Safety, Quality, Productivity improvement, and Indirect cost reduction through various activities.<br>Experience in Manpower planning, procurement, and New items development and sourcing is another strong area. Have experience in material planning and procurements considering Customer requirements.<br>Strong skill in Budget preparation and the controlling of the Budget within the limit.</p><h2 style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</h2><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><br><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Q2. How is the growing shift toward EVs and hybrid vehicles influencing operational planning or production mix in the components sector?</span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;">Shifting towards EVs and Hybrid vehicles has significantly influenced Operation planning and the components sector. Many Changes will be required in the current operational planning because there will be major changes in the manufacturing facilities, Tooling, upgradation of current equipment, and automation.<br>If an organization decides to pursue EV and hybrid component manufacturing, it will need to invest in initial R&amp;D and hire new, experienced talents.<br>For the production mix-manufacturing (Flexible manufacturing), they need to undergo major upgradation, automation, and high-spec machine installation, as EV components require exact and High-quality standards.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><br><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Q3. Which segments within the broader auto components space (e.g., sensors, thermal management, ignition systems) seem poised for stable or accelerated growth in the coming years?</span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;">The ignition system seems poised to advance over the next 5-10 years, while sensor and Thermal Management will accelerate in the coming future. Because of the Change in the EVs, for proper monitoring of the data, more sensors are required to monitor the BMS (Battery Management System) and Power trains.<br>Thermal management will improve as cooling will be required for the Battery, and insufficient thermal management will affect the Battery's health and lifespan.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Q4. Are manufacturers now investing more in predictive maintenance, automation, or connected systems to stay competitive?</span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;">Manufacturers are investing more in Automation and Systems to stay competitive in current cost-competitive markets. They are also investing in Preventive maintenance to achieve maximum output from the machine and reduce machine stoppage time, as machine output directly affects operating profitability.<br>Installation of the Sensors and automated devices costs initially but later reduces the 30%~40% Maintenance costs, reduces downtime, and ensures timely delivery to their clients or customers.<br>Complicated and Repetitive tasks are very difficult, but high accuracy can be achieved with the help of robots or other automation. Automation in inspection and packaging ensures high quality and low costs for the manufacturer.<br>The connected system of Industry 4.0 facilitates system integration and enables fast data recording and decision-making.</p><h2 style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</h2><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><br><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Q5. What kind of shifts are you seeing in customer demands&mdash;like preference for higher performance, longer lifecycle, or environmentally friendly components?</span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;">Manufacturers are focusing on higher performance and longer life cycles, as well as environmental friendliness, due to pressure from OEMs to increase the life of components and achieve high performance. In this current environment, high-performance components are in high demand. Now, major OEMs of some reputable suppliers have begun sourcing environmentally friendly components, such as recycled aluminium alloys and bio-based polymers.<br>Organizations have begun to focus on solar energy and promote Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). As an initiative, they are working on CO2 reduction.</p><h2 style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</h2><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><br><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Q6. In your view, what operational capabilities (e.g., automation, precision, flexibility) have become non-negotiable for staying competitive in the factory environment?</span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;">Flexibility is the main thing, I think, as in the current market, things are changing repeatedly and very quickly. Flexible manufacturing enables manufacturers to meet the diverse requirements of customers with different specifications, sizes, and dimensions. With the Change in some units, we can produce the different spec parts. &nbsp;</p><h2 style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</h2><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><br><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Q7. If you were an investor looking at companies within the space, what critical question would you pose to their senior management?</span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;">Questions can be related to R&amp;D and Capex for the upcoming years' milestones.</p><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>What are the milestones of that organization in the short term and long term?</li><li>Do they have any plans for the Joint Venture (JV) to work in the upcoming market (EVs, Hybrids)?</li></ul><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>