Thought Leadership

Better and better ideas are the result of applied thinking, actual experience and an anything-is-possible attitude. The Tata Technologies team that harnesses these traits represents some of the best “thought leaders” in the engineering and design marketplace. Recognized by many of the world’s most admired companies and by industry peers, each Tata Technologies Thought Leader has the distinction of 20 years of exemplary experience. Furthermore, each individual is dedicated to helping others in their respective area of leadership.

To contact a Tata Technologies Thought Leader for your speaking engagement or if you have other Thought Leader related inquiries, please send your specific request via the following link: thoughtleader@tatatechnologies.com

Kevin Fisher, Thought Leader Engineering and Design Mr. Fisher is a recognized leader in the field of international engineering where his 30 years of experience and eye for innovation have garnered numerous vehicle features patents in conjunction with clients. He has been awarded the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) award for innovative vehicle features, and his extensive experience, comprehensive approach and industry foresight have paved the way for innovative styling, engineering, and complete vehicle programs throughout the automotive industry. Mr. Fisher’s expertise has infused critical engineering projects for years including large-scale initiatives for major automotive OEMs. His leadership was critical to the success of the styling of several high profile GM vehicles, full-vehicle engineering projects and major facelifts for truck and SUV programs. Mr. Fisher’s driving ambition is to provide the same high level engineering quality and cost savings to clients around the world. His efforts are based on knowing that opportunities for engineering innovation via global delivery are boundless, and that with expert guidance, better engineering supports enormous competitive advantages for international manufacturers. Mr. Fisher is constantly refining the global delivery process to derive better and better efficiencies and innovation for clients - setting the benchmark for the entire automotive engineering industry. Mr. Fisher earned his High Technology (HTEC) degree in Mechanical and Production Engineering in the U.K. before taking a 1977 Automotive Apprenticeship at Pressed Steel Fisher. He has worked for noted companies including GM and numerous Magna companies, where he successfully managed many high-profile projects.

Ganesh Khedkar, Thought Leader Digital Manufacturing Mr. Khedkar has been at the forefront of the manufacturing industry since the beginning of his career in 1982. An unrelentingly critical thinker, Mr. Khedkar excels at discovering innovative ways to apply computer-aided manufacturing tools to a wide range of manufacturing processes. He and his team implement world-class digital manufacturing solutions to help clients optimize plant layout, throughput simulation, line automation, safety, and ergonomics. Mr. Khedkar has worked closely with an impressive list of internationally admired clients, including Tata Motors, DaimlerChrysler, GM, Nissan Motors Japan, Airbus, Eicher Motors Limited, and IC Engineering. Mr. Khedkar’s background includes application development and follows a natural progression into the digital manufacturing arena. Since 2000, Mr. Khedkar and his skilled team of engineers – the largest in India – have executed more than 100 digital manufacturing projects and over 3,000 robot simulations for clients around the world. He has presented case studies showcasing his manufacturing team’s accomplishments at the DELMIA user conferences in Japan and Detroit. Recognizing just how critical it is in the current global environment to streamline manufacturing processes, Mr. Khedkar has high expectations for the rapidly expanding role that digital manufacturing plays in global manufacturing operations. He strongly believes that integrating digital manufacturing with manufacturing practices and environments is vital for businesses to reduce costs and shorten production time. After earning an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering and a master’s degree in Industrial Management, Mr. Khedkar brought his talents to the manufacturing shop floor at Tata Motors. He spent a dozen years optimizing the computer numerical code (CNC) machining systems there before shifting his focus to the CAD/CAM/CAE domain.

Paul Nokes, Thought Leader Aerospace Industry Mr. Nokes is an exciting and articulate champion of aerospace engineering excellence. He has distinguished himself through years of high-level experience across the civil and military aerospace sectors and has held design and senior business and operational leadership roles for several aerospace OEMs and Tier 1 companies. Mr. Nokes has been published in “Manufacturing Computer Solutions” magazine and has shared his vision and passion about the aerospace industry during speeches on the need for aerospace collaboration at the Paris PLM industry conference and European CATIA forum. Mr. Nokes has worked across the entire spectrum of aerospace engineering. His experience includes concept design, hydraulic, fuel, electrical systems, and interiors. He is responsible for creating the civil aerospace engineering group for Mayflower Technical Services - resulting in 400 percent growth over just two years. He managed design work on the Airbus A380, was part of the think tank that helped Delta and American Airlines drastically reduce costs through innovative parts manufacturer approval (PMA) strategies, and he collaborated with IBM to produce a unique aerospace software application called Aerospace Supplier Collaboration (ASC). Mr. Nokes is passionate about building and changing aerospace engineering businesses. In his own words, “I truly feel that the aerospace industry is currently encountering one of the most turbulent times in its history. Due to both environmental and commercial challenges, the industry is being forced to discover innovation and change. We need to challenge the way we traditionally engineer products and do business. We need to design better products faster and cheaper, and we need to work across continents and supply chains.” Mr. Nokes received both his higher national certificate and ordinary national certificate in Mechanical Engineering from Bath Technical College in England before studying at the University of Western Ontario’s Richard Ivey School of Business.

Aniruddha Kadkol, Thought Leader Manufacturing Automation and Control Systems Click here to download Mr. Kadkol's white paper "Discovering Process Intelligence in Discrete Manufacturing" Mr. Kadkol is an essential and respected authority on automation and manufacturing. He leads the Tata Technologies Manufacturing Automation and Control Systems group (MACS) and has spent 18 years in the manufacturing industry, working in industrial sales, business development, project management, consulting, and key account management. He is a member of the International Society of Automation, as well as the author of a 2004 white paper on automation and processes for “Industrial Products Finder.” He often shares his vast knowledge with peers in India as a public speaker on manufacturing and automation. Mr. Kadkol is passionate about improving the manufacturing and automation capabilities of clients around the world. He advocates the use of manufacturing and automated controls to create cost-effective solutions by combining cutting-edge technology and deep manufacturing knowledge. His work cuts across industries helping automotive component manufacturers to modernize legacy equipment, increasing throughput of key indenting processes by adapting existing technology, and automating the testing of cutting-edge tools without costly technology. Mr. Kadkol cannily brings together the ability to determine the real issues that manufacturers face and the applied thinking that drives innovative solutions. On the value of automation and controls: “Manufacturing is at the core of value creation. It is the original WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) concept. Automation and control systems are the key drivers of manufacturing processes and critical to manufacturing success. Adding value involves bringing together manufacturing principles with cutting-edge technology. For me it’s the opportunity to be engaged in and make a perceptible difference across these canvases that keeps me excited.” Mr. Kadkol received his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. His career spans the manufacturing field across several industries, including aerospace, automotive, steel, packaging, printing, electronics, and defense. To download a manufacturing white paper by Mr. Kadkol, click here.

David Fedler, Thought Leader Knowledge Management Mr. Fedler has been a leader in the field of engineering knowledge management for 19 years, helping manufacturers around the world to build better products using better methods and knowledge. As head of Tata Technologies global knowledge management efforts, Mr. Fedler and his team of knowledge management specialists deploy engineering and PLM knowledge to both internal Tata Technologies staff and external clients worldwide. Mr. Fedler has spearheaded successful knowledge management programs for many top companies, including GM, GE and Ford. His creative use of online training methods using the i GET IT® Engineering Knowledge Portal has benefited these businesses and many others with increased engineering knowledge, reduced training costs, global knowledge deployment, customized courses and the flexibility of self-paced learning. In the case of GE, the global conglomerate reduced training costs by 40 percent and increased the certification rate to over 90 percent. Mr. Fedler views engineering knowledge management as the pathway to sharing and building knowledge, which is essential to understanding today’s global challenges and finding better solutions. He bases his ambitious efforts on the idea that helping people apply technology creatively will benefit the world by taking innovation and problem solving to a higher level. Mr. Fedler earned his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Marquette University in the U.S. and began his career with EDS and EDS Unigraphics. He belongs to several engineering industry associations, has published articles in major engineering publications and is a frequent keynote speaker at industry conferences.