Competition can do wonders for a business. When rivals outdo a company, it is often forced to explore possibilities that were previously unknown to it. This is something Sudam Maitra, senior managing executive officer for supply chain at Maruti Suzuki, realised early in a purchasing career that has spanned three decades.

Had there been no competition, the soft spoken, meticulous mechanical engineer would have possibly moved slowly on creating new paradigms in procurement and supply chain at India’s largest carmaker. Instead, he has been at the centre of a transformation that has not only allowed Maruti to prosper by working with efficient, reliable material suppliers and logistics providers, but his work has also contributed to the development of the entire country’s automotive supply base…