Nagpur : Setco Auto Systems Pvt. Ltd. (Setco), India’s
leading manufacturer of medium and heavy commercial vehicle clutches, has
partnered with Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT) Nagpur to
establish a Joint Research Laboratory aimed at advancing next-generation
automotive technologies through deeper collaboration between industry and
academia.
The
research facility will serve as a platform for innovation in clutch systems,
friction materials, performance optimization, and advanced engineering design.
The initiative will also explore the use of digital engineering tools and
emerging technologies such as Generative AI to accelerate product development
and improve system performance.
The
laboratory was inaugurated on March 11, 2026, by Mr. Harish Sheth, Chairman and
Managing Director of Setco, along with Mr. Neeraj Singhal, Chief Executive
Officer, Mr. Rohan Karbade, Head – R&D, and Dr. Prem Lal Patel, Director of
VNIT Nagpur, in the presence of faculty members and students from the
Mechanical Engineering Department.
The collaboration aims to create opportunities for faculty, researchers, and students to work closely with industry experts on real-world engineering challenges, while enabling Setco to benefit from cutting-edge academic research and fresh engineering talent.
Speaking
on the occasion, Mr. Harish Sheth, CMD, Setco Auto Systems, said:
“Strong
partnerships between industry and academia are essential for driving meaningful
innovation. Our collaboration with VNIT Nagpur reflects Setco’s commitment to
fostering research-driven engineering and nurturing the next generation of
innovators. By integrating academic insight with industry experience and
emerging technologies such as Generative AI, we can develop smarter and more
sustainable solutions for the mobility sector.”
The
initiative reinforces Setco’s broader vision of building a future-ready
engineering ecosystem in which collaborative research, digital technologies,
and young engineering talent advance the capabilities of India’s automotive
industry.
About
Setco Auto Systems Pvt. Ltd.
Setco
Automotive Ltd., incorporated in 1982, is one of India's leading manufacturers
of heavy-duty clutches and driveline components for medium and heavy commercial
vehicles. With four manufacturing units, over 1,000 skilled employees, and a
portfolio of more than 100 products, Setco serves marquee OEMs and aftermarket
customers across India and global markets including the United States, the
United Kingdom, SAARC nations, and the Middle East. The company holds IATF 16949,
ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 certifications. For more information, visit www.setcoauto.com.
If
you would like more information, please contact Zarmina Khan at zkhan@setcoauto.com