Speaker, display draw crowd

Kapur discusses global competitiveness

 

A military transport vehicle designed and developed by the company of Trine University’s Distinguished Speaker drew a steady line of onlookers and a large crowd to hear the presentation of Deepak “Dee” T. Kapur, Truck Group president for Navistar Inc., at the University Center March 25.

Kapur reports to the chairman and chief executive officer for Navistar Truck Group in Fort Wayne, Ind., and complimented his presentation by displaying a Navistar International MaxxPro mine-resistant ambush protected (MRAP) vehicle outside the University Center from 2-8 p.m. Kapur’s speech, “U.S. Global Competitiveness,” the final presentation for the semester, was well received by a large crowd in Fabiani Theatre at 7 p.m.

Kapur discussed the global marketplace and arenas in which U.S. products compete well. Under his leadership, the Navistar truck business, including the International truck product line, brand, global presence, and profitability have been revitalized. The Truck Group has moved into new markets and drawn attention to the International brand, especially the Navistar defense vehicles like the MRAP and other military variants. Navistar was the first truck maker to introduce military vehicles based on a commercial platform.

Distinguished Speaker Dee Kapur, center, is pictured with Ketner School of Business Dean VK Sharma, left, and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. David Finley after Kapur's Trine appearance March 25.

 

With Kapur as a catalyst on the global front, Navistar is completing a line of trucks for the Indian sub-continent, developed in a joint venture with India’s Mahindra & Mahindra, a leading automotive manufacturer and business house. Kapur also worked with Caterpillar Inc. to design, develop, and distribute trucks in global markets.

He joined Navistar in 2003 from Ford Motor Company, where he worked for more than 25 years in a variety of engineering, product planning, quality and global management positions.

Kapur toured campus and spent time speaking and dining with honor students before delivering his presentation. The Distinguished Speaker Series is organized through Trine’s Office of Academic Affairs, and takes place each semester for the enrichment of the Trine and local communities.