Volvo Trucks recently concluded the fifth edition of the Key Indian Technical Excellence Competition (KITEC). With customer-centricity being a core value, the competition focuses on imparting training and skills development to drivers and technicians, thereby ensuring delivery of competent aftermarket professionals. Over the last five years, KITEC has evolved as a powerful tool and a proven platform for competence development of Volvo's network workforce. The KITEC competition is to help the technicians develop and improve their knowledge, skills, and ability to work as a team. The preliminary rounds kicked off in March 2017, and the finals were held on July 20, 2017 that started with two parts of theoretical questions, which teams complete in their workshops. After these two parts, the best performing teams are awarded the KITEC 2017 champion. This year, the competition saw participation from over 285 teams (1,146 participants) in the regional rounds, from which 16 finalists competed over a three-day competition held at the Customer Development Centre (CDC) located in the Hosakote facility in Bengaluru. KITEC is a battle of wits, skills and teamwork as they compete in one of the toughest and most gruelling tech competitions in the commercial vehicles segment in the country.

As a company that sets industry benchmarks in the truck and bus aftermarket landscape of the industry, the winners were also awarded on that basis. All winners were lauded at the finale, for their dazzling performance.

Speaking on the occasion, Dinakar B, Senior Vice President - Sales Marketing & Aftermarket, Volvo Trucks India, remarked, 'I would like to congratulate the winners and participants of KITEC. KITEC is testimony of Volvo Trucks India's extensive efforts to provide well trained technicians and drivers to our customers so as to ensure faster and accurate service. I am delighted to see that with every passing edition, there is increased participation. We are committed to our customers and aim to consistently improve the quality of manpower in India to ensure they are at par with global aftermarket workforce.'

He further added, 'We at Volvo Trucks are firmly committed to taking the focus of technicians to the next level. With many new players entering the Indian (bus and truck) market, service will be the only differentiator and the key to our success. Our aim is to reach 100 per cent customer satisfaction and I am confident that we will do it soon.'

At the function, VRV Sriprasad, Managing Director, Volvo Buses, South Asia, said, 'We at Volvo Buses strongly believe that a bus sale is just the start of a rewarding journey with our customers. Ensuring a consistently high standard of maintenance is essential for customers to optimise their investments in our buses. To support this objective, VECV has trained more than 1,000 bus technicians thus far. Pioneering initiatives like KITEC underscore the reach and efficacy of the training programme. We congratulate not just the winning teams but everyone who has enthusiastically participated in the competition.'

The Volvo way
Some aspects of the Volvo training:
Flexible courses and a unique training material: On-the-job trainers can modify course delivery and prepare their own presentations according to the market requirements.
Focus on practical aspects: Trainees are made to work on the actual vehicle which gives them hands-on experience and boosts confidence.
Well-structured: Trainees are graduated in levels and the training is well-spaced to enable them get inputs, absorb it and make it practically usable.
Specialised expertise: Training
is focussed on providing specialised expertise to trainees in specific areas. More training is rendered in areas with higher demand in the market.

'This year, the competition saw participation from over 285 teams (1,146 participants) in the regional rounds, from which 16 finalists competed over a three-day competition held at the Customer Development Centre (CDC) located in the Hosakote facility in Bengaluru.'

The KITEC 2017
For Trucks
Winner: Team Eagle Eye - Volvo Service & Parts Centre, Ramagundam & Kothagudem 1st Runner up: Team Volvo Buddies - Volvo Service & Parts Centre, Bhiwandi 2nd Runner up: Team Armed InvaderZ - Volvo Service & Parts Centre, Singrauli

For Buses
Winner: Team Iron Knight - Vista Driveline Motors Pvt Ltd, Chennai & Cochin 1st Runner up: Team Trishul - Sree Harsha Automobiles Services Pvt Ltd, South 2nd Runner up: Team Mechanical Maestros - Sree Harsha Automobiles Services Pvt Ltd, South