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Economic Times
25-05-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
India Inc's climate response: How top companies are safeguarding staff, operations from extreme weather
ANI Representational image As freak weather events become the new normal- —from heavy rains lashing Bengaluru and Pune to Delhi-NCR's 'feels like' 50°C heat—corporate India is moving swiftly to safeguard its workforce and minimise manufacturing and operational disruptions. Companies like Godrej Consumer Products, ITC, Dabur, CEAT, Raychem RPG, Vedanta and KPMG are rolling out multiple initiatives to adapt to unforeseen climate shifts- —from redesigning infrastructure to revising work schedules. At Godrej Consumer, for instance, new factory sites are being constructed with their finished floor levels elevated above the highest flood levels recorded in the past 50 years. 'This will help reduce the risk of operational disruptions due to flooding,' said Saurabh Jhawar, product supply organisation head for India and Saarc at the maker of Cinthol talc and GoodKnight conglomerate ITC and energy and electric infrastructure solutions provider Raychem RPG have restricted outdoor working hours to beat the heat. Raychem RPG—an equal joint venture between RPG Enterprises and TE Connectivity of the US that employs 2,889 blue-collar workers and 835 white-collar staff—has instructed all employees and contractor staff to not work in the open area between 12 pm to 4 pm, added buttermilk to its menu, and deployed AC buses for commuting workers, a company spokesperson said. Strategic Safeguards ITC has installed extra water coolers and conducts regular awareness sessions led by company doctors. 'The measures put in place depend on the geographic location of the unit, nature of work and are aligned to the requirements of employees,' a company spokesperson said. Tyre manufacturer CEAT has introduced a car policy for long-distance commutes of field staff in intense heat, chill, or heavy rains. It is conducting awareness sessions and putting strategic safeguards in place, a company spokesperson goods maker Dabur has equipped its factories with Turbo-vents, dehumidifiers, ceiling fans, desert coolers, door curtains, thermal insulation on windows, and puff panels, its executive director-HR Biplab Bakshi resources and technology conglomerate Vedanta is distributing hydration products to each employee in high-heat zones like potlines, underground mines, and power plants this summer season. 'We have rolled out a comprehensive summer wellbeing programme focused on both employees and their families,' said Madhu Srivastava, chief HR officer of Vedanta Ltd. These include summer camps for children of its close to 50,000 employees, including white-collar and blue-collar workers, she said. At professional services firm KPMG, employees can avail work-from-home options in case of extreme weather conditions if the work permits, a spokesperson said. After being caught off guard by some extreme weather conditions like flash floods and last year's record high temperatures, companies across industries are taking precautions to protect their employees and infrastructure, particularly in vulnerable localities, and to ensure minimum disruptions in logistics and other operations. 'As climate patterns shift, we continue to invest in solutions that prioritise safety, efficiency, and sustainability in our operations,' Jhawar of Godrej said. 'To mitigate the impact of high temperatures, our factories are equipped with roof insulation, HVLS fans, and spot cooling systems.
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
India Inc's climate response: How top companies are safeguarding staff, operations from extreme weather
As freak weather events become the new normal- —from heavy rains lashing Bengaluru and Pune to Delhi-NCR's 'feels like' 50°C heat—corporate India is moving swiftly to safeguard its workforce and minimise manufacturing and operational disruptions. Companies like Godrej Consumer Products , ITC , Dabur , CEAT , Raychem RPG, Vedanta and KPMG are rolling out multiple initiatives to adapt to unforeseen climate shifts- —from redesigning infrastructure to revising work schedules. At Godrej Consumer, for instance, new factory sites are being constructed with their finished floor levels elevated above the highest flood levels recorded in the past 50 years. 'This will help reduce the risk of operational disruptions due to flooding,' said Saurabh Jhawar, product supply organisation head for India and Saarc at the maker of Cinthol talc and GoodKnight repellent. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo Diversified conglomerate ITC and energy and electric infrastructure solutions provider Raychem RPG have restricted outdoor working hours to beat the heat. Raychem RPG—an equal joint venture between RPG Enterprises and TE Connectivity of the US that employs 2,889 blue-collar workers and 835 white-collar staff—has instructed all employees and contractor staff to not work in the open area between 12 pm to 4 pm, added buttermilk to its menu, and deployed AC buses for commuting workers, a company spokesperson said. Live Events Strategic Safeguards ITC has installed extra water coolers and conducts regular awareness sessions led by company doctors. 'The measures put in place depend on the geographic location of the unit, nature of work and are aligned to the requirements of employees,' a company spokesperson said. Tyre manufacturer CEAT has introduced a car policy for long-distance commutes of field staff in intense heat, chill, or heavy rains. It is conducting awareness sessions and putting strategic safeguards in place, a company spokesperson said. Consumer goods maker Dabur has equipped its factories with Turbo-vents, dehumidifiers, ceiling fans, desert coolers, door curtains, thermal insulation on windows, and puff panels, its executive director-HR Biplab Bakshi said. Natural resources and technology conglomerate Vedanta is distributing hydration products to each employee in high-heat zones like potlines, underground mines, and power plants this summer season. 'We have rolled out a comprehensive summer wellbeing programme focused on both employees and their families,' said Madhu Srivastava, chief HR officer of Vedanta Ltd. These include summer camps for children of its close to 50,000 employees, including white-collar and blue-collar workers, she said. At professional services firm KPMG, employees can avail work-from-home options in case of extreme weather conditions if the work permits, a spokesperson said. After being caught off guard by some extreme weather conditions like flash floods and last year's record high temperatures, companies across industries are taking precautions to protect their employees and infrastructure, particularly in vulnerable localities, and to ensure minimum disruptions in logistics and other operations. 'As climate patterns shift, we continue to invest in solutions that prioritise safety, efficiency, and sustainability in our operations,' Jhawar of Godrej said. 'To mitigate the impact of high temperatures, our factories are equipped with roof insulation, HVLS fans, and spot cooling systems.
Time of India
27-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
TN's FAST-MOVER ADVANTAGE FOR CONSUMER GOODS
It's raining investments in Tamil Nadu's Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector as domestic and MNC majors are lining up to set up manufacturing facilities in the state. While Godrej Consumer Products (GCPL) inaugurated its first integrated greenfield plant at Tiruporur near the city last month (March 2025), Dabur India is breaking ground for its first factory in south India at Tindivanam in Villupuram district soon. Global food and beverage conglomerate PepsiCo is launching a manufacturing plant at the Sipcot food industrial park at Manapparai in Trichy district to make potato chips and snacks at an investment of more than 500 crore, according to sources in the state industry department. Official sources told TOI that Hindustan Unilever (HUL) has also evinced interest in establishing a factory at Manapparai to manufacture Boost, Horlicks and other malted drinks. Tamil Nadu is an ideal location for Dabur to cater to the entire south India market. Logistically, Tindivanam is at the hub of three of its major distribution centres in south India, said Dabur India's global head of operations Saurabh Lal. "So, it is ideal from the perspectives of 'depot delivered cost' and serviceability. Also, we procure a lot of raw material from nearby areas. This unit will help enhance our sourcing of agricultural produce from local farmers. The food park, where this unit will be located, also offers excellent infrastructure. So, from sourcing to overall cost model, this was our best option," he adds. The company will be investing 135 crore in phase I, which will be scaled up to 400 crore over a period of five years. Dabur would be manufacturing products such as toothpaste, honey, Odonil air fresheners and items within the F&B portfolio such as Real fruit juices. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Oldest Stars Who Are Still Alive And Often Forgotten Boite A Scoop Undo The state's robust infrastructure and progressive industrial policies made it a natural choice even for GCPL's first integrated greenfield manufacturing facility. The 515 crore facility at OneHub Chennai Park in Chengalpet district is manufacturing multiple product categories and brands such as Cinthol, GoodKnight, Aer, and Godrej Expert hair colour under one roof. "As production scales up, this facility will offer pan-India service. Given our significant presence in international markets—especially in Asia, Africa, and Latin America—we do foresee opportunities to leverage this facility for exports in the future," said Saurabh Jhawar, head - product supply organization for India & SAARC, GCPL. Interestingly, women form a sizable workforce in these plants. Godrej plans to employ 1,000 workers in its Chengalpet plant, of which 50% will be women. It's a trend mirrored even in Pudukkottai, where women from nearby villages make up more than 75% of the workforce in ITC's Integrated Consumer Goods Manufacturing and Logistics Unit (ICML). The facility set up in 2018, encompasses 12 lakh sq ft and its portfolio includes Yippee! instant noodles, Bingo! snacks, Sunfeast Dark Fantasy, Sunfeast Marie and Aashirvaad Atta. "Tamil Nadu has emerged as an important demand centre for ITC. The support of various govt departments and ease of doing business are key factors for choosing TN as a destination for setting up manufacturing facilities," Jayendra Gupta, VP, technology & manufacturing, foods division, ITC, saidd. While Tamil Nadu's infrastructure and talented manpower are regarded as givens in its industrial allure, there are other factors that stakeholders point out as drivers of growth. The state is a high consumption, premium market. "It is gradually emerging as a hub for FMCG companies, mainly to cater to the south Indian markets," notes C K Ranganathan, CMD of Cavinkare. It's a view echoed by industry bodies as well, thanks to Tamil Nadu's status as one most urbanised states in the country. "The state boasts extensive infrastructure including four major ports. FMCG companies can use TN as their R&D base given its deep thinking ecosystem comprising the TNAU, National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management in Tanjore, and the National Research Centre for Banana in Trichy," explains CII southern region deputy chairman and Danfoss India president Ravichandran Purushothaman.
Fashion Network
21-04-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Godrej launches first vertical storage warehouse in Bhiwandi
Godrej Consumer Products Limited has launched its first ever vertical storage warehouse in Maharashtra. Located in Bhiwandi, the new facility measures 2.84 lakh square feet and is part of the business' work towards improving operational efficiency. 'The launch of our first vertical storage warehouse is a transformative step in our journey toward building a smart, agile, and future-ready supply chain," said Godrej Consumer Products Limited's head of product supply organisation for India and SAARC Saurabh Jhawar, Indian Retailer Bureau reported. "In just 18 months under Project Parivartan, we have upgraded a majority of our key logistics hubs to Grade A facilities. This new warehouse in Maharashtra stands as a beacon of our commitment to operational excellence, digital integration, and sustainable growth- allowing us to serve our consumers with enhanced speed, safety, and care.' Designed to contribute to modernising the fast moving consumer goods business' logistics infrastructure, the Bhiwandi facility houses a high-density G+6 vertical racking system which offers more than 3,200 pallet positions. The design aims to maximise storage capacity while occupying the smallest possible footprint. The storage warehouse will connect with operations across Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Goa, and Gujarat as a distribution hub. Designed to process more than 60,000 cases each day, the facility features a range of automated systems and environmental sensors.
