Hi, I’m
RAMANATHAN Krishnaswami
Gurgaon
Summary
Strategic and results-driven manufacturing executive with over 26 years of experience leading multi-plant operations, precision engineering, and supply chain transformation in the automotive sector. Currently serving as Chief Operating Officer at Highway Roop Precision Technologies Ltd., driving group-wide EBITA enhancement and preparing the organization for IPO readiness. Proven ability to lead large-scale operations, develop global OEM programs, and build resilient systems under high-pressure environments including COVID-19. Known for delivering high-impact outcomes in plant automation, vendor consolidation, tooling cost reduction, and ESG implementation. Contributed in transforming Roop Automotive from a component manufacturer to a full-scale assembly and export-oriented enterprise through hands-on engineering, lean innovation, and inclusive leadership.
Overview
27
years of professional experience
1
Certification
Work History
Highway Roop Precision Technologies Ltd.
Chief Operating Officer (COO)
04.2007 - Current
Job overview
- Promoted post-merger with Highway Industries; leading strategy across Sohna, Manesar, and Chennai plants.
- Driving EBITA enhancement with a target of 25% as part of IPO readiness strategy.
- Reduced tooling costs by 11% through group-wide vendor consolidation and technology integration.
- Leading ESG roll-out and SAP-RPA integration (WIP) for performance automation.
Roop Automotives Ltd
Vice President – Operations (Plant Head)
04.2023 - 05.2025
Job overview
- Delivered ₹200 Cr annual revenue from the Manesar plant by improving throughput, quality, and manpower efficiency.
- Reduced in-house rejection rate from 23,098 to 2,300 PPM through structured FMEA and robust quality systems.
- Maintained zero warranty claims across OEMs through proactive compliance and issue resolution.
- Automated welding and assembly lines, reducing manpower cost from 10% to 7.4% of sales.
- Commissioned a greenfield facility within 15 months, adding 100,000+ units/month production capacity.
- Played a key role in evaluating multiple potential Korean JV partners, conducting value-alignment analysis, and advising top management on partner selection.
- Contributed to drafting and finalizing the MoU and JVC documents, ensuring a structure that aligned with the interests and long-term goals of both organizations.
- Supported the formation of the joint venture entity, aligning governance, technology transfer, and commercial expectations.
- Built in-house IoT software for real-time productivity and energy monitoring, yielding significant cost and downtime savings.
- Implemented zero-liquid-discharge system for CNC/VMC wastewater, recycling 50,000+ liters.
- Rolled out inclusive hiring across both shifts: 15% female workforce participation and 3% PWD inclusion.
- Drove TISAX Level 3 implementation to meet global data security and audit readiness standards.
Roop Automotives Ltd
Assistant Vice President – Operations
04.2021 - 03.2023
Job overview
- Took charge of corporate purchase & IT across all sites; reduced vendor count from 1,700 to 1,450.
- Launched input shafts and gearbox assembly programs for domestic and export markets.
- Standardized procurement processes and enhanced supply chain visibility via IT integration.
Roop Automotives Ltd
Senior General Manager – Operations
01.2016 - 03.2021
Job overview
- Managed COVID-19 operational continuity with zero customer line stoppages.
- Implemented agile shift restructuring, vendor coordination, and digital workflows.
- Maintained quality, compliance, and team morale during pandemic disruptions.
Roop Automotives Ltd
General Manager – Operations
04.2013 - 12.2015
Job overview
- Led plant-wide cost reduction: tooling reengineering, manpower optimization, lean layouts.
- Eliminated dedicated drilling processes by adapting U-Drill for direct boring.
- Outsourced non-critical operations to strategic vendors to reduce overhead and increase space.
- Developed low-cost alternatives for standard tooling and embedded vendor partnerships.
Roop Automotives Ltd
Deputy General Manager – Operations / Plant Head
04.2011 - 03.2013
Job overview
- Held full operational charge of Manesar plant; delivered I-shafts and steering columns for Tata Nano.
- Supported pre-launch programs for Tata Tiago and Ford Figo steering components.
- Completed PPAP for Fuji Autotech (Sweden) within 8 months, meeting tight torque and quality specs.
Roop Automotives Ltd
Assistant General Manager – Operations
04.2009 - 03.2011
Job overview
- Collaborated with ZF to develop ultra-low-cost I-shafts and steering columns for Tata Nano.
- Aligned production with cost, quality, and durability standards for India’s most affordable car.
Roop Automotives Ltd
Senior Manager – Operations
04.2007 - 03.2009
Job overview
- Delivered 124 product developments for new export business in 1 year.
- Designed and built in-house assembly lines for U-joint yoke integration, transitioning Roop from component supplier to assembly manufacturer.
Minda Silca Pvt. Ltd.
Senior Manager – Manufacturing
10.2006 - 04.2007
Job overview
- Managed press shop operations and optimized Kanban-based inventory systems, reducing plant inventory by 20%.
- Streamlined assembly production lines, cutting manpower requirements by 7% while maintaining output.
- Reduced production cycle time by 12% through improved scheduling and resource balancing.
Roop Automotive Ltd. – Sohna Plant
Manager – Production
12.1999 - 09.2006
Job overview
- Achieved QS9000 certification and scaled plant capacity to 1 million units/year; played a key role in optimizing systems, process documentation, and production data capture to meet global Tier-1 compliance.
- Identified and developed low-cost alternatives to imported sheet metal yokes from Thailand and Japan by localizing production with a Taiwanese supplier using a random line setup; helped establish Roop as one of the few Indian manufacturers capable of producing this component domestically.
- Improved in-house resharpening capabilities — including broach resharpening — to reduce tooling cost and minimize dependency on external suppliers.
- Retrofitted existing machinery and developed low-cost alternatives to capital-intensive equipment such as SPMS and broaching machines by using locally available spindles and mechanical systems — enabling throughput expansion without major Capex.
Graziano Transmission India Pvt. Ltd.
Assistant Manager – Production
05.1998 - 11.1999
Job overview
- Installed and stabilized gear machining lines including hobbing, shaving, and turning.
- Worked with Italian engineering teams to align local processes with global standards.
New Allenberry Works
Engineer – Production / Graduate Engineer Trainee (GET)
05.1997 - 04.1998
Job overview
- Reduced rejection rate from 2.5% to 1.5% through root cause analysis and tool resharpening.
- Implemented ISO 9000:1994 certification and optimized CNC gear machining operations.
Education
Nagpur University
Bachelor of Technology from Mechanical Engineering
01.1997
University Overview
Full-Time
Skills
- Operations & Strategy
- Multi-Plant Leadership
- P&L Ownership
- IPO Readiness
- Greenfield Projects
- Joint Ventures
- Export Operations (90%)
- Manufacturing Excellence
- Precision Machining & Assembly
- Sheet Metal Forming
- Hot/Cold Forging
- Automation & IoT
- Tooling Optimization
- Lean (TPS, Kaizen)
- Quality & Compliance
- Zero Warranty Culture
- TISAX Level 3
- ISO/TS 16949
- VDA 63
- FMEA
- PPAP
- Zero-Liquid-Discharge
- Supply Chain & Cost Leadership
- Vendor Consolidation
- Strategic Sourcing
- CAPEX Optimization
- Cost Engineering
- Inventory & Logistics Control
- People & Culture
- Cross-Functional Team Building
- Inclusive Hiring (PWD, Women, LGBTQ)
- Performance KPIs
- Crisis Leadership (COVID)
- Digital & IT Enablement
- SAP Optimization
- Robotic Process Automation (RPA)
- IoT Software Development
- IT Infrastructure Oversight
Certification
- TPS Training, AOTS Japan (2007)
- Standards: ISO/TS 16949, ISO 9001, EMS 14001, ISO 27001, TISAX Level 3
- Tools & Audits: APQP, PPAP, FMEA, VDA 6.3
LNGG
Languages: English, Hindi, Tamil
Timeline
Vice President – Operations (Plant Head)
Roop Automotives Ltd
04.2023 - 05.2025
Assistant Vice President – Operations
Roop Automotives Ltd
04.2021 - 03.2023
Senior General Manager – Operations
Roop Automotives Ltd
01.2016 - 03.2021
General Manager – Operations
Roop Automotives Ltd
04.2013 - 12.2015
Deputy General Manager – Operations / Plant Head
Roop Automotives Ltd
04.2011 - 03.2013
Assistant General Manager – Operations
Roop Automotives Ltd
04.2009 - 03.2011
Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Highway Roop Precision Technologies Ltd.
04.2007 - Current
Senior Manager – Operations
Roop Automotives Ltd
04.2007 - 03.2009
Senior Manager – Manufacturing
Minda Silca Pvt. Ltd.
10.2006 - 04.2007
Manager – Production
Roop Automotive Ltd. – Sohna Plant
12.1999 - 09.2006
Assistant Manager – Production
Graziano Transmission India Pvt. Ltd.
05.1998 - 11.1999
Engineer – Production / Graduate Engineer Trainee (GET)
New Allenberry Works
05.1997 - 04.1998
Nagpur University
Bachelor of Technology from Mechanical Engineering
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