What initiatives or changes do you believe are necessary to promote gender diversity and inclusion in the manufacturing industry?

As a CEO in the manufacturing industry, I firmly believe that our greatest strength lies in the diversity of our workforce, the equity of our opportunities, and the inclusivity of our culture. Embracing diversity isn't just a moral imperative; it's a strategic advantage that fuels innovation, creativity, and resilience in the face of challenges. It's time for us to embrace gender diversity not just as a mere agenda to have equal representation of women in the workplace, but to make it a norm in our society to pass on this culture to our future generations. This can only be achieved by providing more opportunities for women to have a voice in leadership positions and boardrooms. Having women in leadership positions, especially in sectors like energy and manufacturing, will maximise our potential as a country and create a more inclusive and prosperous space for all.

What served as a stepping stone for you in the field of manufacturing? How do you reflect on this experience after holding significant positions for almost twenty years?

One significant stepping stone in the field of manufacturing has been the advent of automation and robotics. Automation technologies, including robotic arms, and automated assembly lines, have revolutionised the manufacturing process by improving efficiency, accuracy, and speed. These technologies have enabled manufacturers to streamline production, reduce costs, and increase output, leading to greater competitiveness and scalability.

Another crucial advancement has been the implementation of digital technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), big data analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI) in manufacturing. IoT sensors embedded in machinery and equipment collect real-time data on performance, productivity, and quality, allowing manufacturers to monitor and optimise operations remotely. Big data analytics enable predictive maintenance, supply chain optimisation, and demand forecasting, while AI algorithms optimise production schedules, identify process inefficiencies, and enhance product quality.

Reflecting on these advancements, one can appreciate the remarkable progress made in the field of manufacturing. The adoption of automation, digitalisation, and additive manufacturing has fundamentally transformed the way products are designed, produced, and distributed. These technologies have driven innovation, efficiency, and agility in manufacturing operations, enabling companies to meet evolving customer demands, navigate market uncertainties, and achieve sustainable growth.

What motivated or inspired you to pursue a leadership role within the manufacturing industry?

Manufacturing presents complex challenges and opportunities for problem-solving. The opportunity to tackle these challenges head-on, leveraging their skills and expertise to develop creative solutions and drive organisational success is what motivates me. To be a leader in the manufacturing industry, one must be driven by a passion for innovation and technology and motivated to lead teams and organisations that push the boundaries of what's possible, whether it's developing groundbreaking products, implementing cutting-edge manufacturing processes, or driving efficiency improvements through innovation.

Tell us about the recently inaugurated Rudrapur solar panel facility? What sets this plant apart from others? Shed more light on its USP, cutting-edge technology, and its infrastructure.

The Rudrapur plant is the industry's first fully automated plant with AI integration, it is enabled for flexible manufacturing and is the first plant in India with Autosorter. The plant has a capacity of 250 MW in the initial phase and is expandable up to 1GW. We have integrated the production of solar solutions and technologies to provide cost-effective value for customers. Our raw materials are indigenously sourced, making the Indian ecosystem grow. We want to go upstream, by investing in connected systems that will be monitoring the health of solar panels installed. The plant is located on an area of 10 acres and can manufacture polycrystalline, monocrystalline, n-Type and Topcon panels both monofacial and bifacial with options to adapt from 5BB to 16BB. With these capabilities, Luminous becomes an expert in managing all forms of roof-top solar panel requirements for residential or commercial and is India's only full component manufacturer of solar solutions comprising solar panels, inverters, and batteries with connected solutions.

Over the past few months, your company has been strongly propagating about building an end-to-end solar energy management ecosystem. What kind of steps are you taking in this direction?

Luminous is engaged in manufacturing a best-inclass product range in the solar, inverter, and battery categories to build an end-to-end solar energy management ecosystem. The Luminous solar solutions ecosystem will also have its flagship Connect X App integrated, offering customers insightful information on real-time energy consumption and monitoring, solar energy generation, and inverter performance. The factory also hosts the first-of-its-kind experience centre at Rudrapur. Bringing world-class experience in technology and innovation to create a solar ecosystem approach for sustainable energy management solutions under one roof while providing a holistic experience in an interactive space.

According to what we have heard, Luminous plans to have 25 per cent of its revenue from overseas businesses over the next three years. Luminous is currently present in about 40 countries. So, what's your strategy for this revenue growth?

While Luminous is the industry leader in India in the home inverter battery segment, it is also planning strategic expansion in international markets. Last year the company strengthened its operations in South Africa, Nigeria, Bangladesh, and Lebanon. With a growing market presence, Luminous plans to expand to new markets like Turkey and Eastern Europe. We also wish to further expand our presence in Africa. To better meet the needs and preferences of international customers, Luminous is customising its product offerings to suit local market requirements. For instance, Luminous launched the first-ever Lithium battery pack - LITCORE for the South African market. It is compact, provides 3X fast charging, and higher power density for consistency. Excellent customer support and after-sales service are crucial for maintaining customer satisfaction and loyalty and Luminous is investing in building a robust customer support infrastructure to ensure prompt and effective assistance for customers worldwide.

What's your company's outlook for the next phase of growth in terms of exports, expansion, new business verticals, key investments, R&D etc.

For the organisation, the growth engines to increase market capitalisation include a stronger focus on solar products. Solar is important towards sustainable and profitable growth and the company aims to double its growth in the next 3 years. Additionally, new technologies and innovations in energy management solutions, along with reach and expansion, will be at the core of the company's growth strategy. While Luminous was the first company to launch lithium-ion in the inverter battery segment, it is investing in R&D to develop future-ready technologies and innovations. It is constantly undertaking product innovation in high-capacity inverters and alternate chemistries for new battery types, in addition to evolving eco-friendly and sustainable Li-ion battery solutions.

We continue to invest in digital capabilities, strengthen our presence in global markets, and expand our capacities in batteries and solar PV panels.

Can you explain how your energy storage solutions optimise the utilisation of renewable energy, especially during periods of low demand?

Luminous offers energy storage solutions, with battery backup, that allow users to store excess energy generated from renewable sources, such as solar panels. During periods of low energy demand, when renewable energy production exceeds immediate consumption, the surplus energy is stored in batteries for later use. Energy storage systems enable load shifting, which involves storing excess renewable energy during times of high production and low demand and discharging it during periods of low production and high demand. By optimising the timing of energy consumption, consumers can reduce their reliance on grid power during peak hours, when electricity prices are typically higher.

We have Connect X App that empowers users with real-time monitoring and data on energy consumption, solar power generation, and inverter performance. It also helps the customer understand the impact on CO2 footprint.

With the rapidly changing manufacturing landscape, skilling and upskilling of employees have become more important than ever. What steps are you taking in terms of boosting skill development within your company?

Digital skilling is of critical importance in the context of making India a global manufacturing powerhouse, but it remains a challenge in the small cities of India.

The adoption of automation in manufacturing has become the need of the hour as the government encourages Made in India production. This is needed to push the domestic manufacturers towards encouraging employees with a skill set in data handling to experiment, implement and retrain themselves as the systems evolve.

Culture- The culture at Luminous focuses on embedding the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion through sensitisation and building an allyship. Our leaders and people managers are the real enablers. We are committed to excellence; we understand that diversity, equity, and inclusion are not only integral to our success but essential for staying at the forefront of a rapidly evolving ecosystem.

Organisation Capability– We practice structured developmental interventions through curated capability programs across the organisation. These programs are designed to address the day-to-day employee challenges while giving them the opportunity for growth and learning. Capacity building and skill enhancement are some of the critical requirements for an organisation and its employees. An employee tends to be more associated with an organisation when they feel their acumen and exposure are growing.

India is still in the nascent stages when it comes to renewable energy adoption and energy storage solutions. If need be, would you be open to partnerships and collaborations with other organisations in the energy sector to further advance energy storage solutions?

We are open to partnerships that help us significantly advance our goals of providing indigenous and reliable energy storage solutions to our customers. In one of the recent collaborations, Luminous has forged a strategic partnership with one of the world's largest renewable energy schools The University of New South Wales, Australia, for Solar Panel projects on Reliability, Value engineering, and component qualification. This partnership has enabled Luminous to evaluate newer technologies well ahead of the curve and add value to the company's technological prowess.

What do you see as the future direction of energy storage technology, and how is your company positioned to contribute to that future?

We see a shift towards more sustainable and efficient solutions, driven by the increasing demand for renewable energy sources and the need to adopt environmentally conscious practices.

In consonance with this approach, Luminous Power Technologies is committed to being a pioneer in innovations related to energy storage. We recognise the market need for developing advanced battery technologies that can store energy more efficiently, reliably, and sustainably. Our focus is on enhancing the performance and longevity of energy storage systems, while also making them more affordable and accessible to a wider set of customers. We are investing in research and development to develop alternate chemistries leading to improved battery performance, while also bringing down the costs.

Furthermore, our company is actively engaged in the integration of energy storage solutions with renewable energy sources—solar. By combining energy storage with renewables, we can provide reliable and sustainable power solutions that reduce dependence on traditional fossil fuels and contribute to a cleaner environment.