Celebrating 150 years (and some mighty fast trucks)

Tata Group didn’t start out as a vehicle-manufacturing company. However, this is perhaps what it’s best known for in South Africa. It has also done some fantastic things for trucking in its native country, India, learns GAVIN MYERS.

Iron and steel, hotels, hydroelectric power, locomotives, trucks, cars, aviation, information technology, insurance, chemicals, beverages, and telecoms are just some of the industries the Tata Group has entered into since its inception by Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata in 1868.

A 29-year-old entrepreneur and philanthropist, whose business savvy was formed working in his father’s banking firm, JN Tata laid the foundations for a global conglomerate that today holds more than 100 companies and employs more than 660 000 people.

Since the early days, employee wellbeing and community development have always been part of the way Tata Group operates. For example, Tata employees were among the first – in the world – to benefit from the likes of provident schemes and maternity leave.

Having created numerous trusts and established the Indian Institute of Science during 1911, 66 percent of the company’s shares are today held by Tata Sons, a charitable trust and the holding company of the group.

The Indian trucking industry, too, has benefited from the Group’s community involvement. When it was realised that “old school” trucking was no longer meeting customer expectations, and that younger generations didn’t see entering the industry as a respectable career choice, the Prima T1 Racing Series was established to celebrate the drivers and promote trucking in India.

The Prima has proved to be the natural fit for use in the racing series. When it was launched, it marked the arrival of a completely modern truck that met the best global standards.

Based on Tata’s “world truck”, the Prima racing trucks has enabled Tata Motors to connect to its national and international customers. The trucks are adorned in all manner of global sponsorship livery. Those lucky enough might have even seen the One World Racing vehicle lapping the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit at the South African Festival of Motoring during September.

It will be in South Africa for a while longer, before heading back to India – once again, doing its part to raise the profile of the trucking industry on Tata Group’s home soil.