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TAFE ‘Cultivating The World’ with learning
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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.

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TAFE tractor ambulance drives jumbo to safety!
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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

 

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A product demo in progress at TAFE Madurai for customers
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TAFE’s MF Experience Centres redefine customer delight

TAFE as an organization has always strived to help the farming community through its products and services. For more than five decades, it has listened to its customers and their needs by providing superior products that are relevant to the times. TAFE has helped transform the lives of millions of farmers around the world, by powering farms in more than 100 countries.

In line with this, TAFE inaugurated MF Experience Centres at its Madurai and Doddaballapur facilities. It intends to provide TAFE customers with a unique brand experience through visits to the factory and the MF Tech Zone; multimedia presentations on brand heritage and Massey 4.0; and providing in-depth understanding of the technologies used through working prototype models of Massey Ferguson tractors.

The MF Experience Centre at TAFE Madurai has seen a steady flow of customers including over 1000 farmers visiting during the Pongal season. The MF Experience Centre at TAFE Doddaballapur was inaugurated recently, and has been visited by around 500 farmers. The farmers reviewed the tractors specific to Karnataka like, MF 7250 and MF 6028, among other heavy implements like the Hydraulic Reversible Mould Board Plough and an eight ft. Rotavator. These efforts resulted in several spot bookings. Additionally, the visitors were also given a health check-up and a portrait alongside the MF tractors as a souvenir of this experience.

TAFE in its journey of ‘Cultivating the World’ goes the extra mile to create a lasting relationship with its customers beyond the sale of products.

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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.

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TAFE acquires IMT brand of tractors
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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.

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Mallika Srinivasan recognized as ‘Outstanding Woman Entrepreneur’ at The ET Family Business Awards
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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 plastics, gears 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.

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A fleet of MF 6028 - premium compact utility tractors that were delivered to over 100 farmers in Nashik Maharashtra
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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”.

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Vibroacoustic optimization in a tractor cabin
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TAFE R&D team’s methodology reduces tractor cabin noise

TAFE‘s Research and Development team has published a technical paper – ‘Simulation for tractor cabin vibroacoustic optimization’, authored by Mr. Shaikh Mohammad Asif, Mr. V Ravindran and Mr. P Nageshwara Rao in SAE’s Mobility Engineering Magazine, March 2018 issue.

The paper explains how the use of experimental and FE structural modal techniques was used to identify the root cause of the booming noise in a tractor cabin, and evaluated the potential solutions before the prototype was produced. Modal techniques were convenient to apply, and useful to identify the structural/acoustical natural frequencies of a tractor cabin. The test results were used to identify structural problems and validate FE models, which then helped evaluate potential solutions and gain insight to test results.

Since operators prefer to drive more comfortable tractors, these studies will provide an essential insight that will help design optimal tractor cabins and deliver comfortable tractors to customers. Kudos to the team on their achievement!

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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.

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TAFE partners with CII as the event sponsor for CII Agri Tech South 2018 held in Telangana
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TAFE to improve farm productivity and mechanization in Telangana

TAFE – Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited, India’s second largest tractor manufacturer partnered with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) as the event sponsor for CII Agri Tech South 2018 held at Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU) from February 9-11, 2018. TAFE, with its expertise in agriculture, aims to help farmers in Telangana increase farm productivity and farm output through farmer training, integrated farming practices, and popularizing cost effective soil and water management initiatives, and reducing cost of farm inputs through appropriate mechanization solutions.

Incorporated in 1960, TAFE has been at the forefront of agri-mechanization in India. Established with the aim to alleviate Indian farmers from subsistence to profitability, it has been TAFE’s corporate philosophy to go beyond the sale of products and add value to customers’lives by empowering them to become a vibrant, self-sustaining, and prosperous agri-community.

Mr. T. R. Kesavan, President & COO – Product Strategy & Corporate Relations, TAFE said, “TAFE’s mission is to empower farmers to build a sustainable livelihood by helping them become self-sufficient by increasing farm productivity. TAFE hopes to launch its ‘Farmer2Farmer’ initiative – a farmer community building initiative that encourages farmer-owned and operated services to promote farm mechanization among small and marginal, through a mobile app, to help farmers connect with each other, collaborate and network in improving farmer prosperity.”

He added that, “TAFE’s association with the farmers of Telangana stretches back to several decades and we strive to constantly improve their lives as they have placed their valuable trust in TAFE and its products. TAFE further hopes to strengthen its association with the Telangana government and improve agricultural productivity in the state”.

TAFE’s expertise goes beyond providing farm mechanization solutions with an established competency in providing integrated farm solutions via JFarm. JFarm was first established by TAFE in Chennai, Tamil Nadu in 1964 with an objective of improving the well-being of farmers by empowering them with advanced farm technologies to increase farm productivity and meet India’s growing food needs. TAFE’s Product Training Center trains farmers, dealer, dealer employees, mechanics and students in understanding and applying agriculture-mechanization at its best.

TAFE seeks to replicate the JFarm success story across India and is exploring opportunities of working with several states including Telengana to realize this objective.

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