BharatBenz eyes higher diversity at the Indian truck plant

The truck maker aims to reach an ambitious 20% of women blue-collar employees by 2020. As part of the diversity initiative, the company inducts 46 female shop-floor workers at its India truck factory. 

Banking on women power and more workforce diversity, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles, the maker of BharatBenz trucks takes early leads among Indian truck OEMs. The company has hired 46 women for shop floor operations at its Oragadam manufacturing plant at the outskirts of Chennai. The new employees have been deployed across key function areas on the shop floor including Engine & Transmission, Cab Trim, Quality Management, Cabin-in-White and Paint Shop. 

This is part of the DiveIN’ (Diversity & Inclusive) initiative to increase diversity for a more inclusive workforce. The goal of DiveIN initiative is creating a gender-balanced staff base by increasing the ratio of female factory employees to 20% of the whole by 2022. 

Speaking on the company’s latest initiative, Satyakam Arya, Managing Director and CEO, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles said, “Diversity is critical to the long-term success of any organisation; How can you meet the expectations of a diverse market without a diverse workforce? At DICV, we’re promoting inclusivity by welcoming women to our factory with a supportive, professional working environment.”

To ensure the welfare and well-being of the new employees, DICV has implemented a comprehensive set of tangible and intangible changes at the factory. The company first installed suitable infrastructure and services such as specific restrooms and changing rooms, crèche facilities and dedicated medical professionals. It also reinforced existing workplace policies and measures including the speedy grievance redressal system, gender, sensitization training, and the POSH (Prevention Of Sexual Harassment) committee.

According to Yeshwanth Kumar Kini, Head of HR, “Diversity and inclusion are some of our fundamental principles at DICV. To ensure new employees settle comfortably into their new roles, we provide a comprehensive on-boarding process including training on safety, health and hygiene, communication skills, firefighting and basic tool handling. We hope this initiative encourages more women to join a company that understands their value.”

Overall, the DiveIN initiative aims to ‘Inspire complete diversity both in terms of roles and engagement, thereby enhancing organisational culture’.

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