Strategic Management
Strategic Management
Strategic Management
STRATEGIC
MANAGEMENT
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Baluchistan Wheels Limited (BWL) is the wheel manufacturing company in Pakistan. Since it
is the only wheel manufacturing company in Pakistan therefore, it is enjoying monopoly in the
wheel manufacturing industry. The purpose of this analysis is to review the appropriate
literature on firm level and then research and investigate the application of Strategic
Management processes at the Baluchistan Wheels Limited in an attempt to establish
relationship between good competitive practices and the company’s performance.
This reports ends up with the recommendations that company needs to adopt few policies and
changes that can ascertain more profitability & growth for the company in the future.
INTRODUCTION
The Organization
From its very inception, Baluchistan Wheels Limited has been a pioneer in the field of
manufacturing steel wheels for automobiles. It started its operation in the year 1980. The
technical partnership with GKN Sankey Limited U.K. has resulted in creating an organization
that is respected and valued worldwide for its brilliant quality and standards.
Baluchistan Wheel Limited is situated in the industrial zone of Hub, which is aprroximately 35
kilometres from Karachi on an area of 97,000 sq. meters with an estimated area of 16,000 sq.
meters utilized in industrial plant at present.
1. Passenger cars
2. Commercial vehicles
3. Tractors
4. Suburban Vehicles (4 x 4)
The BWL has produced over a million wheels in 2011. Furthermore, it added a new rim line
category that has further enhanced the capacity of manufacturing rims up to million wheels
every year.
History
The Baluchistan Wheels Limited (BWL) was established in 1980 by the Government of Pakistan
to manufacture wheels for the automotive industry of the country. The company was
registered as a public limited company; registered at the Karachi Stock Exchange (Guarantee)
Limited for its share trading. The basic purpose of the establishment of BWL was to increase
dependence on the local engineering industry that could meet the expectations of the
customers locally. This would ultimately result in the reduction of imports of automobile wheels
and boost our country’s economy.
The BWL is at present the only wheel manufacturing company of the country, which has been
successful in winning the hearts of local buyers but also international buyers. The company was
privatized in 1992
Products Profile
The Baluchistan Wheels Limited (BWL) manufactures the following products:
BWL is an ISO 9002certified company. All 20 clauses of ISO-9002 have been implemented. The
company’s goals is to produce automotive wheels and associated products of International
Quality Standards of ISO 9002 and contribute towards national economy by doing the
following:
1. Import substitution
2. Exports
3. Taxation
4. Create employment
5. Consistently compensate the stakeholders through stable returns.
Core Values of BWL
The primary focus of BWL is its customers hence company believes in customer satisfaction
which is fulfilled by every member of the organization. Since BWL is an ISO-9002 certified
company, therefore quality is preserved, maintained and checked from the delivery of material
to the final production stage of manufacturing by accuracy inspection instruments and an
online automatic run out measuring station. Quality assurance system is supported by
laboratory equipped with the following:
1. Tensile testing
2. Hardness testing
3. Metallographic
4. Chemical testing equipment.
BWL has augmented employee involvement by effective distribution of work in teams. BWL has
a firm belief that many heads are more knowledgeable than one. Mechanical and electrical
engineers work in close collaboration with each other by cross functioning of different
departments like production, sales, and marketing to minimize non-conformities and improving
production of quality wheels and rims.
Obligation to Community
BWL takes every step to protect nature and to maintain clean environment not only where it
operates but also outside its premises. BWL attempts to improve the quality of work life in the
communities in which they live and operate.
BWL enhances customer loyalty by providing wheels of the finest quality that meets and
exceeds their desires. BWL believes in maintaining customer needs as its primary focus because
they know that customers define the reason of their existence.
DETAILED INTERNAL AUDIT
The BWL is focused to increasing its exports by contracting with OEM clients such as Toyota,
Honda, Suzuki, Dong Feng, Yuejin, Messy Fergusin, Fiat and Shanghai by using the advantage of
its competitive prices and high quality standards.
Service
The BWL provides excellent services to its clients. For the BWL every order is crucial order… The
BWL strive on providing quality products with zero tolerance for any defect. The BWL quickly
responds to any customer call for any complaints in its products. The BWL has installed state-
of-the-art plant and machinery to make sure quality control of its products. Besides, it is also
pursuing continuous process improvement which means that at every stage of production
quality is ensured so that the company achieves its objective of receiving minimal or no
complaints from its customers.
Procurement
The BWL acquires raw material from Pakistan Steel Mills and other local steel mills. Besides, it
also imports raw materials and other components required for manufacturing of wheels from
China.
Technology Development
The BWL with the assistance of Fontline Grotnes, one of the best wheels machinery
manufacturer based in Holland, has developed the latest process to produce wheel rims up to
16” diameter. For commercial vehicle wheels process improvement has been implemented
with the assistance of Deng Feng, a Chinese firm, who is the best automobile manufacturer in
China.
For quality assurance the BWL has installed latest machines for the following tests:
Machine for online measurement of wheel run-out and low point marking of car wheels.
Comering fatigue testing machine for car and commercial vehicles
Radial fatigue testing machine for car and commercial vehicles
The BWL has also procured an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System from the Ford
Rhodes Sidat Hyder (Chartered Accountants), which has integrated an overall internal and
external information management across the BWL, embracing the Finance, Sales, Production,
HR and Customer Relation Management (CRM). This has helped the organization in bringing:
The BWL does not have an effective performance appraisal system for its employees. The
employees of the BWL have a high turnover of 7% due to many reasons such as inequitable
system of compensation, favouritism and overall failure of strategic human resource
management in the company. The top management makes every decision leaving no room for
employee’s empowerment at middle and lower level management.
Personnel included officers and workers, which are both technical as well as non technical. The
non-technical workers are the local people of Hub, which are hired at low wages. The technical
workers are license holders or have experience working on heavy machineries. Technical
officers include engineers and Diploma of Associate Engineers and officers doing management
work.
Company’s Infra Structure
The production facility of the BWL is spread over an area of 16,000 square meters. The BWL has
the capability to manufacture diverse range of wheels for passenger cars, commercial vehicles,
tractors and 4x4 vehicles. The company is a corresponding member of European Tyre & Rim
Technical Organization (ERTO) and its quality management system is certified by ISO-9002 by
AIB Vincotte of Belgium.
Organization Chart
The Organization chart consists of the Board of Directors at the very top which coordinate with
the Internal Audit Committee. The Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer have to report to
the Board of Directors in the Annual General Meeting, and the Board meeting to discuss the
progress of the company and its future plans.
Finance division, Supply & services department along with CEO’s secretariat report to chief
executive officer. Quality control department, administration & personnel division along with
technical division and sales department report to chief operating officer.
Board of Directors
The Baluchistan Wheels Limited has 7 members in its team of board of directors, thereby
complying with the requirements of the Companies Ordinance, 1984. Of 7 directors of the BWL
5 are full-time working directors while the remaining 2 are the nominees of the NIT , which is
the related party to the BWL.
The Internal Audit Committee consists of 4 key members of the Board of Directors responsible
for the function of maintaining the internal control at the BWL. The Internal Audit Committee at
the BWL is an independent body reporting directly to the Board of Directors.
Finance Department
Core function of this department involves preparation of budget, appropriation of accounts, re-
appropriations, surrender and savings, Control of expenditure and ways & means position,
Audit, Treasury administration, Administration of Taxes i.e. Sales Tax, Entertainment Tax,
Luxury Tax and Entry Tax etc. Also it provides strategic financial support for business and
operational planning.
Quality Control Department
Quality control of BWL emphasizes testing of wheel rims to uncover defects, and reporting to
management who make the decision to allow or deny the release, whereas quality assurance
attempts to improve and stabilize production, and associated processes, to avoid, or at least
minimize, issues that led to the defects in the first place.
A constant need to come with newer and better modes of production has been the hallmark of
BWL corporate philosophy. The R&D department is engaged in development of new products,
improvement and upgrading of processes. This department is equipped with CAD/CAM facilities
and CNC machines for in-house manufacturing of tooling & spare. BWL has the ability to
develop wheels to specific requirement of the customers.
ANALYSIS OF MISSION STATEMENT
“To produce automated wheels and allied products of International Quality Standard of ISO
9002 and contribute towards national economy by import substitution, exports, taxation,
employment and consistently compensate the stakeholders through stable returns”.
Components
Customers
Products/Services +
Markets
Philosophy +
Self-Concept
statement which tries to cover all the aspects of an effective mission statement.
PORTERS FIVE FORCE MODEL
Bargaining Power Of Buyers
YES MODERATE NO
Analysis
The buyers of the BWL includes the automobile manufacturers such as the Pak Suzuki
Motors, Indus Motors, Atlas Honda Motors, Nissan Gandhara, HinoPak, to name a few.
The bargaining power of the BWL’s buyers are low because the buyers have limited
choices in the markets as they are very low number of companies which are
automobiles parts manufacturer which include wheel manufacturing also and the other
reason for the low bargaining power is that government’s ban on import of wheels from
abroad. The most important reason for low bargaining power is that there is no other
wheel manufacturing company in Pakistan which is operating on this huge level so the
BWL is enjoying monopoly in this market due to which customers have no other options.
Imported alloy rims are now available in the market but mostly companies not import it
–fitted wheels of their cars with the stylish imported alloy rims because of the road grip
issue.
The prices of imported alloy rims are also very high as compared to the local wheels
available in the market. So, the price sensitivity is also one of the factor for the low
bargaining power.
Bargaining Power Of Suppliers
The Bargaining Power of Suppliers is evaluated as follow:
The suppliers of BWL involved in the manufacturing of steel and iron sheets. There are
large numbers of suppliers who provides raw material to BWL except the major raw
material which is steel and iron.
The major supplier of the BWL is the Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) is the major and biggest
supplier of the BWL. BWL also imports some of their raw material from china because of
cost benefit analysis and also make small purchases from the local steel mills but the
major purchase is from PSM.
BWL also import raw material from abroad in order to avoid the difficulty in getting
inputs from the local industry and sometimes it’s difficult for the local market to fulfill
the requirement of raw material for BWL because of huge demand factor. Hence, the
BWL has many potential suppliers.
There is less chance that BWL’s suppliers go for forward integration because the
investment in installing the plant for the wheel manufacturing is moderate to high and
the industry also requires lot of technical expertise.
Threat Of Substitute
Yes No
(+) Moderate (-)
Total 3 0 0
There is no substitute for wheels. The steel wheels are only manufactured by BWL
and this is the major factor that customers have no other options except of using
imported allow wheel.
Caster wheels and spoke wheels can be taken as substitutes of BWL’s steel wheels
and theses caster wheels and plastic wheels are made up of plastic and do not have
a metal part in them, normally used in trolleys and other pulling machines.
But these caster and spoke wheel cannot be taken as perfect substitute for wheels
because if we use these wheels in the car it will decrease the speed of the car as well
as increase the danger to turn and also the road grip issue.
Substitute available for rollers and heavy duty cranes are air cushions now days, but
this high tech technology is very expensive and also not available in Pakistan and this
is the reason that BWL have monopoly in the market as there is no perfect
substitute.
Now consumers preferred to substitute their old and dull looking steel wheel with a
new and fancy looking alloy wheel which comes in various designs and finishes
varying from flat matt finishes till fancy chrome finishes.
Alloy wheel as compared to steel wheel are stronger and durable but they are
expensive also, sine the alloy wheel is stronger than the steel wheel and also the low
rate of shattering during a collision or an accident.
Threat Of New Entrants
Yes No
(+) Moderate (-)
1)
Do large firms have a cost or performance advantage in your segment of
the industry?
2) Are there any propriety product differences in your industry?
3) Is a lot of capital needed to enter your industry?
6) Are there any established brand identities in your industry?
TOTAL 3 2 3
Analysis
As there is ban on import of wheels so automobile manufacturers are left with no choice
except to purchase wheels from BWL
As BWL has a monopoly in the market, they have all things under their control which
makes the entry of a new firm even more difficult because even if they try to do so they
face a lot of retaliation and hence threat of new entrant is low.
The wheel manufacturing process requires extensive investment on Research and
Development and Quality Control so the new entrant needs to invest a lot of capital on
quality and research along with acquiring expertise on human resource sector so the
threat of new entrant is low.
Since its inception BWL is enjoying monopoly in the industry and It covers wide domain
of automobile industry, which includes supply of wheels to cars (2x2), jeeps (4x4), buses,
trucks and tractors. It has attained cost and performance advantage thus causes the
threat of new entrant low.
Threat Of Rivalry
Yes No
(+) Moderate (-)
Analysis
As BWL is the only firm in Pakistan with such a huge setup, they are only capable of
fulfilling the market demand when it comes to supplying on a huge scale.
There are only a limited number of private importers who import wheels from
countries such as China and supply to local vendors who further sell the wheels as OEM
aftermarket parts
Overall Industry Analysis
OPPORTUNITIES THREATS
Acquiring technology and new manufacturing Import of Chinese/Taiwan Wheels.
methods.
Government regulations banning imports. Consumer’s taste preference for branded
wheels such as Lenso, Advanti etc.
Untapped market for the wheels and rims of OEM such as Toyota and Honda providing
bikes and 3 wheelers (Chinese Rickshaws option to customers upgrading their steel
&Qangqi) wheels to alloy wheels imported from
Thailand
Due to devaluation of Rupee, an individual’s Growing popularity for imported wheels due
capacity to purchase imported wheel has to programs such as TopGear, Overhauling
declined. etc.
Greater demand for alloy wheels comparing People using imported wheels on individual
to typical steel wheels basis.
Investment on Research and Development
and Quality Control.
Opportunity for producing wheels for JDM
cars with varying PCD siders.
EXTERNAL FACTOR EVALUATION MATRIX
KEY EXTERNAL FACTORS
Weight Rating Weighted Average
Opportunities
Acquiring technology and new
1 0.08 3 0.24
manufacturing methods.
Government regulations banning
2 0.05 3 0.15
imports.
Untapped market for the wheels and
3 0.11 4 0.44
rims of bikes and 3 wheelers
Due to devaluation of Rupee, an
4 individual’s capacity to purchase 0.06 3 0.18
imported wheel has declined.
Greater demand for alloy wheels
5 0.07 3 0.21
comparing to typical steel wheels
The EFE matrix score of the BWL is 2.54 which is below the mean. This shows there is room for
improvement in BWL..
• The BWL should acquire new manufacturing methods and technology by procuring
state-of-the-art machineries for the production and quality control. This would help the
BWL to produce efficiently and reduce cost.
• There is an untapped market for the 3 wheelers and bikes. The BWL should capitalize on
this opportunity by installing production line for the manufacturing of wheels for bikes
and 3 wheelers. It would help BWL capture the market share of this segment.
• The BWL should initiate a marketing campaign to counter the threats posed by the
imported wheels from TV programs such as Top gear and Overhauling etc. so as to
create awareness about its products and increase brand equity.
COMPETITOR PROFILE MATRIX (CPM)
• There is a major shortfall in the Global expansion as compared to both the competitors.
Since Chinese market covers more than 25% of the global market and Taiwan accounts
about 15%. Despite BWL exporting to very few markets, it needs to increase its market
reach.
• Another Gap lies is that of Production Capacity since China and Taiwan are reaching
more markets, creating their demand and retaining customers, they account for a big
portion of the global market share. BWL comprises less than a percent as it emphasizes
more on local sales rather than global sales.
• Pricing strategy is satisfactory. However, Chinese Wheels industry offers lowest price to
its customers, which increases its export to the world.
• Advertising also indicates a gap, which shows that to create brand awareness amongst
the target market both the competitors advertise their products, whereas BWL focuses
more on current automotive manufacturers and assemblers and doesn’t advertise to
new markets.
INTERNAL COMPETENCIES OF THE BWL
• The BWL is the largest and the only wheel manufacturing company of the country.
• It has recently introduced Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software. This has
integrated all functions of the BWL including Planning and Production, Human Resource,
Quality Control, Maintenance, etc. to enhance its efficiency in operations.
• The inventory turnover of the BWL is also 2 which shows twice it was able to convert its
finished goods into revenue.
• The factory of the BWL is established in the industrial city of Hub, Baluchistan, where it
has access to cheap labours.
• The BWL has also introduced state-of-the-art machinery for quality checks this would
enhance the Quality Control capability of the BWL and it would satisfy customers with
reliable products.
INTERNAL FACTOR EVALUATION MATRIX
Internal Strength Weight Rating Weighted Score
The Sole Producer of Wheel in
1 0.2 4 0.8
the Market
The IFE matrix shows that the BWL scores 2.92 which is higher than average. This indicates that
the internal process of the BWL is strong. However, certain changes can be made to make it
even more efficient.
SWOT ANALYSIS
Strengths
1. The largest and sole Wheel Manufacturer currently operating in Pakistan.
2. The company has been technology development which is resulting into the Continuous
Process Improvement and has been implementing Total Quality Management in the
company successfully.
3. Enterprise Resource Planning development & audit has been the cornerstone in being
efficient.
4. Company has been experiencing higher Inventory Turnovers.
5. There has been a continuous increase in EPS over the last 2 years, showing that the
company is performing better even in recessionary period Close proximity to the
factories of the car manufacturers.
6. The ISO 9002 certification of company has paved its way to enhance its exports
7. The company is successful in accessing the cheap and reliable manpower
8. History of minimal service complaints.
Weaknesses
1. Poor Human Resource Practice
2. Little product diversification
3. Car manufacturers are located at far distances which enhances the cost of outbound
logistics
4. Dependent on local auto industry
5. Absence of promotion and advertising
6. The Company has been operating in Pakistan Only.
Opportunities
1. Acquiring technology and new manufacturing methods.
2. Government regulations banning imports
3. Untapped market for the wheels and rims of bikes and 3 wheelers.
4. Devaluation of Rupee, an individual’s capacity to purchase imported wheel has declined
5. Greater demand for alloy wheels comparing to typical steel wheels
6. Investment on Research and Development and Quality Control
Threats
1. Import of Chinese/Taiwanese Wheels
2. Consumer’s taste preference for branded wheels such as Lenso, Adventi etc.
3. OEM such as Toyota and Honda providing option to customers to upgrading their steel
wheels to alloy wheels imported from Thailand
4. People using imported wheels on individual basis.
SWOT MATRIX
SO STRATEGIES WO STRATEGIES
1. The BWL can develop lines for producing 1. The BWL through acquisition of state-of-
wheels for bikes and 3 wheelers without art machinery and continuous efforts on
fearing any competition from local research can reduce dependency on
industry or imports. auto-industry.
ST STRATEGIES WT STRATEGIES
CONSERVATIVE FS AGGRESSIVE
(1.5,-1.5)
CA IS
DEFENSIVE ES COMPETITIVE
Analysis
According to the diagram of SPACE Matrix, the company lies in the 4 TH Quadrant
that is of Competitive.
The company’s SPACE Matrix shows that it is the organization that is competing
and surviving fairly well in an unstable organization. The company is showing
promise by performing really well but the environmental instability is creating
hindrances in the way of progress.
Strategies
1. Backward Integration
2. Forward Integration
3. Horizontal Integration
4. Market Penetration
5. Market Development
6. Product Development:
IEE Matrix
The IE Total Weighted Score
Analysis
The IFE matrix of the BWL is valued at 2.93 and the EFE matrix is valued at 2.48. Therefore, in
the Internal External (IE) matrix the BWL lies in the fifth quadrant, having viable internal
position and external position.
Strategy
Since the BWL’s IEE Matrix lies in the fifth quadrant of the matrix, therefore, it can be managed
best with the ‘hold and maintain’ strategies.
Market penetration: By increasing its customer base which can be done by advertising their
products.
Product Development: Bringing new range of products in the marketplace that meets and
exceeds the customer demands.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. The BWL should acquire new production method and technology by procuring state-of-
the-art machineries for the production and quality control. This would help the BWL
improve production method and reduce cost besides improving quality of its products.
2. There is an untapped market for the 3 wheelers and bikes. The BWL should capitalize on
this opportunity by installing production line for the manufacturing of wheels for bikes
and 3 wheelers. Since there has been great demand for bikes and 3 wheelers (CNG
Rickshaws and Quinqis), production of wheels for these vehicles would help BWL
capture the market share of this segment.
3. The BWL should continue to bring in improvement in its process by acquiring state-of-
the-art machineries and by imparting quality control training to its workforce.
4. The BWL should capitalize on its ERP system as this will help in enhancing overall
efficiency in the organization.
5. The BWL should adapt proper HR practices as this will help the organization plan,
attract, hire, train, retain and motivate right employees at the right time. This will
provide the BWL with quality workforce, which will eventually make the organization
attain superiority over its competitors.