The country’s largest car maker Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. has started working with vendors to help them improve their human resource (HR) policies and prevent labour strife. The company sources 92% of its components locally with most of its vendors located at Gurgaon and Manesar in Haryana, where its plants are located. Both auto component hubs saw strikes and go-slow agitations by workers last year seeking union representation and better wages. Maruti has traditionally worked with vendors to get them up to speed on parent Suzuki’s lean manufacturing and quality practices.

As a first step, Maruti asked all chief executives to communicate with workers directly and regularly. Most of the human resources problems cropping up were due to a lack of communication, according to the company. Last year, Maruti had to put up with at least seven supply disruptions.