Background

Ricardo Plc have been commissioned to deliver a clean sheet engine design project for an Indian off-highway client.

Ricardo have significant expertise and experience in engine engineering programs of this type in the Indian market.

To deliver the project within the limited budget they needed a local partner to support with design, systems engineering and mechanical development.

Problem

Finding an ESP that provides Engine Engineering Expertise at an Affordable Price

Ricardo initially selected a large Indian IT services company that has a significant mechanical engineering business.

The price per hour was very attractive and the scale of the business gave Ricardo confidence in the financial stability of the supplier as well as its professionalism.

Unfortunately, after some time it became clear that there were several significant problems with the service being delivered:

• The number of hours being billed for activities far exceeded the expectation of the engineers at Ricardo compared to an internal resource
• The supplier engineers had very limited knowledge of engine design. Consequently, a considerable amount of time was required of the Ricardo engineers to explain the task, carry out checks and make corrections.
• The limited engine design knowledge meant that the supplier couldn’t do any problem solving or concept generation

This negated a large part of the expected cost savings of using a low-cost outsource supplier

Due to the confidential nature of the project all images are for representation only

Solution

Caepro’s Unique Business Model Delivers Expertise at an Affordable Price

Caepro was established almost 20 years ago to solve the compromise between expertise and price that companies typically face when outsourcing engineering services.

Caepro has achieved this by:

• Focusing on developing a comprehensive set of attribute knowledge on a limited range of products and sectors
• The majority of the engineering team is in India and supported by Technical Specialists who have extensive experience typically from a consulting background
• Not maintain expensive test facilities but working instead with the OEM’s or third-party test facilities.

Ricardo were aware of Caepro’s engine engineering capabilities as they were already interacting on the same project as the technical partner for one of the tier1 suppliers.

Ricardo recognized that Caepro had superior engine engineering knowledge compared to its existing and other low-cost suppliers.

Due to the confidential nature of the project all images are for representation only

Caepro has a Comprehensive Engine Engineering Capability

Caepro’s comprehensive engine engineering capability from benchmarking and target setting, through design and simulation to prototype build and test have allowed it to support the project in several areas including:

Design

• Working with Ricardo’s Chief Engineer to develop designs
• Integrating with Ricardo’s PLM system
• Developing concepts for back-up systems
• Making modifications requested by end client and suppliers

Systems Engineering

• Liaising between Ricardo and suppliers on various systems
• Understanding supplier manufacturing limitations and communicating with Ricardo-Caepro design team to make modifications to suit
• Agreeing modified test plans to meet technical requirements within suppliers’ capabilities
• Finding local component suppliers to increase indigenization

Test Engineering and Mechanical Development

• Providing on-site support for engine build and testing
• Enabling practical solutions to get engine running and solve problems quickly as they arise

Due to the confidential nature of the project all images are for representation only

Success

Enhanced Ricardo’s ability to meet the needs of the end client

Caepro were able to pick-up the project quickly mid-way through the initial design phase §Gained confidence with Ricardo senior design team and end-client quickly

Able to provide design suggestion to meet supplier constraints

Established strong relationships with the Tier1s ensuring successful delivery of components for first engine build.

Helped end-client solve problems with engine build to ensure successful first-fire event.

Testimonial

“Caepro’s professionalism and expertise in Engines enables Ricardo to deliver high-end engineering services through competitive, in-country resourcing to better meet the needs of our clients in India. It is a pleasure to partner with Caepro”

Mr Jason O’Donnell, Managing Director, Automotive & Industrial, Ricardo Plc.