OVER 50 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE MILLAT RRACTORS LIMITED

With rising populations, countries all over the world have been forced to increase crop yields through mechanisation of agricultural practices. Pakistan being an agro-based economy, depended on orthodox traditions of cultivation for many decades and had to be content with lower harvest till the advent of Millat Tractors Limited (MTL).
Established in 1964 as Rana Tractor and Equipment Limited, the company set up 0its operations with the import of built up Massey Ferguson tractors. In 1965, the establishment of an engineering facility in Karachi to assemble tractors from semi-knocked down kits not only created new agricultural horizons but also paved the way for transfer of technology. The facility was shifted to Lahore in 1967.
In 1972, the company was nationalised and renamed as Millat Tractors Limited. In 1973, Millat Tractors Limited entered into trade mark license and technology transfer agreements with Massey Furguson and Perkins UK. Moving forward, in 1982 engine assembly plant was inaugurated to start the process of indigenization in the country. It was a landmark initiative which ignited the spark of rapid development. Two years later, machining division was inaugurated.
In 1991, privatisation policy was introduced by the government and many state enterprises were offered for sale to the private sector. The employees of Millat Tractors bought 51% shares and the following year management control of the company was handed over to them.
Privatization accelerated the speed of progress and in 1992 a new tractor assembly plant with a production capacity of 16,000 tractors on single shift basis was commissioned. With this breakthrough MTL joined the club of major tractor manufacturers in the world.
Millat Group acquired Bolan Castings Limited in 1993 and by now it has become one of the most modern foundries in Pakistan.
In 1994, Millat Equipment Limited was incorporated to undertake manufacture of automotive gears and shafts in Pakistan. In the same year production of power generating sets was also started to expand the product line.
In 2002, Millat Tractors acquired Rex Baren Batteries Limited as its subsidiary and renamed it as Millat Industrial Products Limited. Major financial and infrastructural investments were made in the newly acquired company which is now a leading manufacturer and seller of vehicular, industrial and domestic batteries, cells and components.
In 2002, Millat developed and introduced a 3 ton forklift truck in collaboration with Heli, a leading Chinese Industrial vehicles manufacturing company. In 2012, TIPEG Inter-trade DMCC was formed which serves as trade hub for Millat Group of Companies handling all the imports and exports from Millat Tractors.
In November 2015 MTL entered into an agreement with AGCO Corporation for the export of Massey Ferguson tractors produced in Pakistan which reflects their quality and price competitiveness in African & Middle Eastern markets. By the end of 2016, our investment in a state of the art engine testing and development laboratory, which was set up in 2012, bore fruit and Millat achieved Euro stage IIIA and Euro Stage II certification for its 3 and 4 cylinder engines respectively. Plans are already in place to achieve commercial production of these emission compliant engines on a fast track basis.
Today, Millat Tractors has achieved over 90% localisation in its flagship 50hp tractors. A deletion level of 85% has been achieved in its 60hp tractors. In the 75 to 85hp range, the indigenization is around 82%. The company offers 7 tractors model of varying specifications in the 50 to 85hp range to suit a wide range of farming, haulage and light construction requirements.
MTL is striving hard to develop and offer new cost effective solutions pertaining to tractor/farm machinery and new agricultural implements. It has recently added Laser Land Leveler, Commercial Loader, Backhoe and various other machines and implements to its product range.
From a range of 7 tractor models of various horse power ratings to farm and industrial implements to power generators in the 15 to 40 KVA range and a 3 ton forklift truck, MTL is deeply entrenched in the local engineering and agriculture industry with a more than 60% share in the tractor market.
This market share is sustained on the back of an efficient after sales service through an extensive field network spread across the country. It comprises of 77 main dealers, 70 spare part dealers and more than 500 authorised workshops.
MTL's best asset is its workforce. The management invests heavily in human resources and keeps its employees and associated business partners abreast with the latest technologies and management techniques through local and international training programs.
MTL fulfils its corporate social responsibilities by promoting a cleaner environment, sports activities, helping disaster-struck Pakistanis and by supporting educational institutions, hospitals and community service organisations.
At Millat Tractors we have proven the fact that the impossible can be achieved only if we continue to believe in ourselves.
(The writer is Chief Executive (Millat Tractors Limited)