Maxion Wheels Celebrates Graduation of First Formare Class in India and Inaugurates Second Cohort

Maxion Wheels, a global leader in the manufacturing of wheels for passenger cars, light trucks, buses, commercial trucks, and trailers, today celebrated the graduation of the first Formare class in Pune, India, while also inaugurating the program’s second cohort during a ceremony held at Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU).

Launched in India in 2024 in partnership with the Iochpe Foundation of Brazil and SPPU, Formare is a professional training and academic scholarship program originating in South America, designed to equip young people from underprivileged communities with both theoretical education and practical industry experience. The graduation of the first class marks a significant milestone for the program’s expansion into Asia.

A total of 26 students began the inaugural Formare class. Of these, 23 successfully completed the program and obtained their diploma in Manufacturing Technology. Students who choose to continue with a third year of study at SPPU will have the opportunity to earn a full SPPU graduation certificate, further enhancing their academic and professional prospects. 87% of the graduates will begin professional careers at Maxion Wheels in Pune, demonstrating the program’s success in developing skilled talent and creating meaningful employment opportunities. 

“The graduation of our first Formare class in India is a proud and meaningful achievement, both for our students and for Maxion Wheels,” said Sutheep Ratnabhas, President of Maxion Wheels’ Asia Business Unit. “This program reflects our belief that investing in education and skills development can transform lives while strengthening our communities and our business. We are especially encouraged and fortunate to see these young professionals beginning their careers with us.

The ceremony also marked the inauguration of the second Formare class in Pune, which includes 27 students, with 6 women representing 22% of the cohort. The program’s expansion also highlights the community’s positive response, recognizing the transformative value of industry–academic collaborations such as Maxion Wheels and SPPU.

The event at SPPU was attended by Mark Sinar, Vice President, Global Human Resources and Safety & Sustainability Maxion Wheels, and Rahul Vaidya, Managing Director of Kalyani Maxion Wheels, along with representatives from SPPU and families of both graduating and incoming students.

Graduating students shared their experiences and the transformative impact of the program. “Formare has given me the confidence, skills, and opportunity to build a better future for myself and my family,” said Aman Mulla. “I am proud to start my career with Maxion Wheels and excited for what lies ahead.” Abha Kamble added, “This program opened doors I never thought possible. The combination of learning and hands-on experience has prepared us for real-world challenges.”

With the graduation of its first cohort and the launch of a second class, Formare in India continues to build on its legacy as a proven educational model that connects learning with opportunity. Originally created in Brazil by the Iochpe Foundation, the program has transformed thousands of lives over more than three decades and continues to expand its global impact, with Maxion Wheels set to introduce Formare in Türkiye in 2026.

ABOUT MAXION WHEELS

Maxion Wheels, a leading steel and aluminum wheels supplier, works with global vehicle manufacturers on wheels for personal mobility, transportation, agriculture, defense, and off-highway applications. Our 10,000 employees operate out of 31 locations in 14 countries on five continents, including state-of-the-art technical centers in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Together we produce 50 million wheels a year, making us one of the world’s largest producers of wheels. Maxion Wheels plays an active role as a Formare partner, operating six Formare units: three in Brazil, two in Mexico and one in India.

To learn more, please visit Maxion Wheels’ website at www.maxionwheels.com.   

ABOUT IOCHPE FOUNDATION’S FORMARE PROGRAM

The Iochpe Foundation is a nonprofit organization based in São Paulo, Brazil, with the mission to drive social transformation by promoting equity and creating opportunities for social growth through professional qualification and art education. The Formare program has impacted lives for more than 36 years, which is a benchmark in Brazil for providing professional training to economically and socially vulnerable young people. In partnership with medium- and large-size companies, Formare offers initial professional training courses to young people from low-income families enrolled in public high schools. Through the work of volunteer educators, the program has trained over 28,000 young people, and according to a survey by Plano CDE, 89% of those graduates secure formal jobs in their first employment. The courses are certified by the Federal University of Technology – Paraná (UTFPR) in Brazil, the Technological University of San Luis Potosí (UTSLP) and the Technological University of Chihuahua (UTCH) in Mexico, and the Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) in India. To learn more, visit www.fiochpe.org.br.