In sync with times
SG also believes that it is vital that organisations leverage on information technology as it gives them an edge in the market. "Currently, we are looking to revise the whole national network as we want to be able to use the new algorithms that have come in for data analytics. We want to leverage on the new ability and the capability that will come with the latest IT systems," he says.

As a solution provider, HPPL caters to different customers across industry segments. Besides having a fairly enormous scale both in terms of manufacturing footprint as well as sales operations, the business has also acquired huge complexity in terms of clientele and product offerings. "Leveraging on the best available IT tools enables us to run the business smoothly and efficiently," SG says. 

Safety, hygiene & quality
SG believes that along with passion and innovation, safety, hygiene and quality are equally important. "Every time I visit our factories, I make it a point to visit the toilets. For me, the state of cleanliness at the toilets reflects the state of cleanliness and quality at the entire factory.

"So I insist that our toilets are kept absolutely clean and hygienic. We could actually prove to our own people that you could have the highest standards of safety and hygiene at a low cost. And as a result, today our employees are trying to adopt the same standards safety and hygiene at their homes!"

About 25 years ago, SG also introduced the ISO 9000 quality management standards at his organisation. "It was fairly new to India at that time. And I got the best auditors at that time to help us install these standards at our organisation. My objective at that time was very clear - I wanted a system where risk is minimised on quality, where things are organised and where everyone is proud of their company."

As a result, in three years, expenses as a percentage of sales went down! "Side by side, we also introduced the Japanese system called 5S, which focuses on organising the work space efficiently and effectively by ensuring that everything is given its proper place," he shares.

People and passion
SG says that the root of any organisation's success is its people. "After all, it is the people who do things. If a company fails, it is because of its people and if a company succeeds it is also because of its people." He believes that nothing else will work if people are not passionate enough about their work.

"I tell my people that don't work with this company if you don't like packaging. Even an accountant in this company is not allowed to touch the pen to write something unless he or she has gone through the technological processes, has visited at least two of our facilities and has spent one week on the production floor. So we have a one-month very strict induction programme," he shares.

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