Yamaha OBM Technical Training in Mumbai concludes positively...

The Indian yachting industry seems to be undergoing a lot of maturity these days. With yacht management companies, distributors, dealers and the like spear-heading this maturity, and showing their esteemed customers a deep commitment by conducting technical training sessions and service-oriented programs.

In another FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND...Yamaha India's exclusive distributor George Maijo Industries (P) Ltd. of Chennai - conducted an extensive and elaborate training session for its Indian dealers and agents.

Shinsuke Fukuzumi of Yamaha Marine, specially flew down for this extensive, structured 3-day training, where technical staff from all over India including Mumbai, Chennai, Goa, Kochi, Karnataka, and other places.

Held between 25th-28th June at George Maijo's workyard in Mumbai, with engines and back-up support and engines provided by West Coast Marine - who have been covered on this blog only a couple of days back for another unique initiative.

Thanks to West Coast Marine and George Maijo Industries, GiiraYachts.com got a first-hand experience of the training...and an insightful chat with Fukuzumi-san.

GEORGE MAIJO - MR. KURIKESU

Mr. Kurikesu, General Manager (Operations), George Maijo Ind. (P) Ltd. was glad to share some interesting facts and the main objective behind such training sessions, and enlighten us about Yamaha and its future in India.

"The main purpose of this training is to show our dealers and our loyal customers, the commitment that we have towards after-sales and servicing for our products." says Mr. Kurikesu. "Training sessions such as these lay the path for technicians to service or repair Yamaha Marine engines effectively and efficiently, within a short span of time."

Stressing on the growth and changing trends seen in the market today, Mr. Kurikesu states that "Today a lot of customers are demanding Yamaha's four-stroke engines since there has been an understanding that this is superior and more environmentally-friendly. Today, thanks to Yamaha's reliability and simplicity, the market share has been a steady 70% based on a headcount at the harbours."

"With sales of more and bigger boats that can use OBMs, there is an increase in the sales of bigger engines. The Yamaha Marine F200 engines and higher capacity engines have a clear advantage in terms of power and performance too."

Emphasizing that judicial usage of engines would be the key element of longlasting life and performance he says "Yamaha has the right understanding about its engines and the extreme conditions they are prone to. In line with this they have specially developed YamaLube, which is the right engine oil for these engines, and have even made it mandatory to use for engines sizes larger of 200 and more..."

"We advise all our customers to use 95 Octane + grade petroleum, and at the same time, we are able to give them proper training about the breaking-in technique for engines." he added.

Speaking about George Maijo Industries, he mentions about their exclusive distributorship of Yamaha Marine - engines and products - such as their water-scooters (that have almost 100% of the Goa market), ATVs (Quads) and even Yamaha's vast range of speedboats. Their workyard in Mumbai is a facility that is fully-equipped with modern and specialised tools.

A look at their website, gives you an idea about the comprehensive list of products they promote.

FUKUZUMI-SAN SPEAKS

Shinsuke Fukuzumi, is a simple but calculated young guy. His demeanour would never whisper the deep knowledge and passion he has for his job - and his company. A look at his laptop and you realise that he is a die-hard fan of the Yamaha R1 Superbike with wallpapers and themes of it! He is fully immersed into the training in his Yamaha overalls, when GiiraYachts.com got to speak with him.

Fukuzumi-san informs "Indian technicians have a clear advantage over technicians from other Asian countries, since they are able to communicate in English. They can clearly read the manuals and follow instructions well."

He was happy to work with a well-qualified team of technicians, who understood and followed his instructions and suggestions well (in-line with Yamaha's philosophy of having interactive training sessions).

Below are some of the questions that were covered in our tete-a-tete :-

1) GiiraYachts.com - What is the main purpose of this training?
ANS : Fukuzumi-san - "This is a bare basic training keeping in mind the transition from 2-stroke to 4 stroke in the Indian market. It is very important since till now Indian technicians and repair-men have their own style of working - without manuals or instructions. But as parts and technologies get more complex, utmost care must be taken right from regular service that includes oiling and up-keep, to even more complex procedures such as overhauling or even a failure, if it happens."

2) GYdotcom - What do you plan to cover in terms of content?
ANS F-san : "This is a 3-day comprehensive training program for which we follow a structure. Day 1 is about theory and the team gets to know and clarify all their doubts before their get hands-on practical training on the engines that West Coast Marine have provided. On day 2, we get to open up the engine to its smallest nut, and explore all various parts and movement mechanisms such as driveshafts, induction systems and more. Day 3 - the team gets introduced to the YDIS - Yamaha Diagnostic Injection System."

3) GYdotcom - Are there certain parts or procedures that can be only handled by computers? How do the technicians contribute in that case?
ANS F-san : "Yes, of course. Yamaha engines have the latest induction, injection and other systems that optimally run the engine, and at the same time keep emissions in check. These are taken care of by the YDIS - Yamaha Diagnostic Injection System. - which allows them to connect any engine from the entire range of engines to a laptop and get to know all the parameters, stress, strain, performance, tolerance - you could say it is just like an ECG Scan for the engine, which after all is the heart of the boat. YDIS is easy to use and can be used by any of our trained technicians."

4) GYdotcom - With this training being imparted to the team of technicians, what level of repair or service can they undertake?
ANS F-san : "Until yet, technicians in India, were able to repair engines that had minor problems, such as replacement of parts and wiring. With this training they would be able to handle change of bigger more complex parts - overhauling, drivechain replacement and more. If there bigger issues a special team of Yamaha would fly-down to repair or replace for such incidents and issues.

What we hope for is that next time, we can have the Advanced Training session, which would be as good as having the Yamaha team here itself, and that can completely eradicate the need of any of our personnel flying down for complex technical service calls."

THE TRAINEE TEAM

Yamaha's stronghold on India in terms of OBM sales was proven by the number of technicians present. There were more than 20 technicians from all over India, with each dealer sending in 1 or 2 of their personnel.

GiiraYachts.com had a casual word with some of these technicians in order to gain an insight. It was nice to know that many of these technicians were specially employed by their companies for working on Yamaha Marine engines. They all were happy with the training that they were receiving - and felt it was an opportunity of a lifetime to be working with Fukuzumi-san himself.

They all were keenly paying attention to every word Fukuzumi-san spoke in his JANGLISH accent (as per what he calls it jokingly), and helping each other why following instructions.

YAMAHA MARINE & INDIA

Mr. Kurikesu is happy with the proceedings of the training. Keeping in mind their commitment to the Indian market he spoke of 3-monthly reviews of the training, that would help in knowing that the training has been effective and implemented. He foresees the Yamaha Marine team coming down to India once every 6 months in order to support the after-sales dealership network's quality with the ever increasing numbers.

Fukuzumi-san looks forward to coming back to India again...which was evident from his goodbye handshake with a gentle 'See You Soon...'