Tuesday, June 24, 2008

M Natraj - ED - Development -Ashok Leyland

M Natraj
Executive director (product development, advanced engineering & design services), Ashok Leyland Ltd

Education: BE (mechanical engineering), PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore, 1964
Joined current company: In 1965 as a graduate trainee
First job: Service engineer with Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd (M&M) for 15 months
Professional experience: After M&M, joined the engineering division at Ashok Leyland in 1968 after three years of training. Left to join Amalgamations Repco Ltd in late 1969 and worked in Australia for nine months. Returned to India and worked with Amalgamations Repco again. Was chief engineer when he left in 1977 to join group company Bimetal Bearings Ltd. Worked for a year there, and then returned to Ashok Leyland in 1978 as manager (development). Became executive director at Ashok Leyland in 1995
Significant achievements: “What has made me really proud is the engine development at Ashok Leyland. The H-series engine was originally made through collaboration, but we, along with some consultants, took it from Euro I (compliant) to comply with Euro II and Euro III fuel -efficiency norms.”
Claim to fame: Developing the first Indian heavy-duty common-rail engine—which produces lower engine noise and lower emissions— and the semi-low floor buses running in Mumbai, Chennai, Pune and other cities

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