DEVELOPMENT OF AUTO PARTS INDUSTRY & GUARD GROUP

TEXT: When Pakistan came into existence in 1947, the requisite area was void of industry.People were equallyuneducated and untrained.

In those woeful days, a family later on known as Guard Group determined to start up some type of trade. Keeping in view the fast-growing Automobile Industry, they took a wise decision to adopt the auto parts business.

DEVELOPMENT OF AUTO PARTS INDUSTRY & GUARD GROUP

Iftikhar Ali Malik, Chairman, Guard Group, Immediate Past President, SAARC Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Former Chairman, United Business Group (UBG), Former President, FPCCI & LCCI

When Pakistan came into existence in 1947, the requisite area was void of industry. People were equally uneducated and untrained.

In those woeful days, a family later on known as Guard Group determined to start up some type of trade. Keeping in view the fast-growing Automobile Industry, they took a wise decision to adopt the auto parts business.

Iftikhar Ali Malik, Chairman, Guard Group, Immediate Past President, SAARC Chamber of Commerce & Industry,Former Chairman, United Business Group (UBG), Former President, FPCCI & LCCI

A BRIEF HISTORY OF DEVELOPMENT OF AUTO GUARD FILTERS:

Autofilters are one of the pioneer items ventured during the Ayub Regime under the concept,“Development of Import Substitution Industry”.**

Guard Filters was the venture of Malik Auto &Agricultural Industries (Pvt.) Ltd., established in 1960.Primarily the Management of the company dealt in auto spare parts business and then gradually embarked upon the production of Guard Filters.Selection criterion was its fast moving nature with large demand. Initially it was based on indigenous technology. As the Management accumulated experience contacts were developed abroad with various producers of raw materials and auto filters to perfect the technology. Luckily they came across with M/s J.C. Binzer, the producers of filtration media in Germany. They helped them in the selection of filtration media for filters of various vehicles.Simultaneously a director was trained from Japan in the filter manufacturing technology. The name Guardwas selected because of its meanings. As auto filters safeguard the vehicle engine while in operation by supplying filtrated oil, air & fuel. Management never compromised on the quality of Guard Filters which ensured their success.

Gradually Guard Filters were accepted by the customers and the brand Guard began to be considered as a symbol of quality. Accordingly,every coming year witnessed the expansion of Guard Filter Factory presently located at Wahdat Road, Lahore. Today the production range of Guard filters exceeds 300 types of filters. The filter manufacturing facility has now attained the stat us of one of the largest auto filter manufacturing units of South Asia.

1. IN-HOUSE FACILITIES:

Guard Filter Unit has all types of in-houseengineering facilities. Most of the filter parts arefabricated by the unit. Only a few items arepurchased from vendors. Besides filter parts, alltypes of molds, dies, and some machines arefabricated here. Technical section of the unit iswell equipped with a comprehensive laboratorywhere raw materials, parts and finished filterare tested. Technical Department is in a positionto develop new filters. It keeps on developingnew filters for the OEM & Replacement market.Guard Filters are being used by OEM of alltractors, some cars, buses, trucks & motorcyclesbeing assembled in Pakistan.

Assemblers/Manufacturers using GuardFilters as Original Equipment ManufacturersGenuine Parts (OEM):

Millat Tractors Ltd.

(For Massey Ferguson 240, 375 & 385 Tractors)

Al-Ghazi Tractors Ltd.

(For Fiat 480 & 640 Tractors)

Pak Suzuki Motor Co. Ltd.

(For all models of Suzuki Cars)

Honda Atlas Cars (Pakistan) Ltd.

(For all models of Honda Cars)

Indus Motor Co. Ltd.

(For Daihatsu Cuore Cars)

Hinopak Motors Ltd.

(For Hino Buses & Trucks)

Guard Filters are also being used byPakistan Railways since long. Besides thatGuard Filters are catering the needs of theAgriculture Sector by providing filters forcombined harvesters.

With the installation of Gas turbines atpower plants, Guard Filters for these turbineshave been developed which are being used bysome of the power plants. Research is beingcarried out to further improve upon the so farresearch work conducted at the Guard Filtermanufacturing facilities.

2. MARKETING:

The Marketing Sector was strengthened by takingintensive & extensive tours of various cities andtoday the distribution network of Guard productsconsists of 42 dealers spread over the country.These dealers have further appointed sub-dealersin the areas of their jurisdiction. Besides that,mobile delivery wagons also distribute auto filterson various gas stations and shops in the remoteareas in particular. It ensures the supply of autofilters even to far-flung areas. Supplies are alsomade on Rate Running Contracts to variousGovernment Departments and the fleet owners.

3. QUALITY:

The quality of Guard Filters is maintained despitethe awkward situation like hike in prices of rawmaterials, expensive laboratory equipment andmachinery for manufacturing. Constant investmentis made on these equipment with an objective ofmaintaining the standard and the compatibility ofGuard Filters against its competitors and importedfilters. It may be noted that despite the liberalimport policy Guard Filters are continuouslydominating the market and the management isdoing its best to retain the tempo.

4. Research (R&D):

Under the dynamic management Guard Filtersare working faithfully on import substitution. Forfuture, special emphasis is on expanding theresearch work infrastructure through inductingnew staff, test equipment and manufacturingfacilities. The Management is well aware ofthese essentials and is continuously spendingon getting the technical labour trained in themodern techniques of auto filters manufacturing.Some technical persons are also trainedfrom abroad. Moreover, the technical department of the unit remains in touch with themanufacturers of filtration media and alwaysadopts for the improved raw materials. It isnecessary for the satisfaction of the customerand to catch on the day-to-day research &development taking place in the filtration media.

Let’s be Pakistani & buy Pakistani productsto encourage Auto Parts & Agri. Tractorsmanufactured locally. It will help our VendorIndustry to grow.

Mr. Iftikhar Ali Malik, owing to his success inhis business he attained the position of businessleader. He is one of the few businessmen whowere elected as Presidents of trade bodies. Hewas elected as President of LCCI in 1990-91,President of FPCCI in 2001-2, President ofSAARC Chamber of Commerce & Industry in2020-2023. In this sector his biggest achievementis to bring the Head Office of SAARCChamber in Islamabad and construct astate-of-the-art 9-storey building in Islamabadas Head Office of SAARC CCI.

Social projects of the Guard Group includetwo MumtazBakhtawar Memorial TrustHospitals one at Wahdat Road and other at 8th K.M. Raiwind Road, Lahore.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2023