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Great Place To Work India holds For All Summit 2023 in Mumbai

Mumbai, February 13: Great people managers deliver great results, create learners for life at the workplace, and reward of being resilient are some of the most interesting highlights of the recently held For All Summit, hosted by Great Place To Work® India in the economic city of Mumbai. Both speakers and attendees enjoyed 15+ packed sessions revolving around the theme: Agility, Innovation & Maximized Human Potential.

While the majority of the sessions received positive responses from the audience, a few segments with speakers like Sudhanshu Mani, Arunima Sinha, Ravi Venkatesan, and Kris Gopalakrishnan specifically piqued the audience’s interest. Their respective speeches, based on their experiences, left the audience with a unique perspective that can assist attendees in making decisions or even helping others in need.

“The For All Summit 2023 exceeded our expectations this year. The event has left all of us with a unique perspective that will help us, as industry leaders, create an agile, innovative, and healthy culture for our employees. Mr. Sudhanshu Mani has put it aptly that there is a need of purpose that leaders of today have to instill in their employees and innovation simply becomes a byproduct. Similarly, Mrs. Arunima Sinha’s story of achieving the impossible target has left us speechless, inspiring many to focus on achieving the most difficult target,” said Yeshasvini Ramaswamy, Serial Entrepreneur & CEO, of Great Place To Work, India.

She further said, “she really enjoyed the fireside chat with Mr. Krish Gopakakrishnan and the conversation around how it seems tough to believe now but Infosys once also was a startup once! I concur with Mr. Gopakakrishnan that the future is all about entrepreneurship and startups and that there is a large talent pool of great leaders out there.”

“Being said, today’s employee wants to be associated with a firm that has a social purpose. Companies understand this, and therefore, they are bringing ESG to the core of their business. In the long run, it is beneficial for the companies themselves as it assists them in achieving their sustainability goals while creating a better world.” Ramaswamy added.

Data shows that the employee sentiments over the last few years have moved north dramatically, i.e., 87% of employees in 2022 had a positive response, compared to 79% in 2016 that they feel good about the way they are contributing to society.

The conversations during the day-long summit revolved around topics like AIM in India – A Case Study on the Vande Bharat Express, Becoming ESG-Conscious: How do you make sustainability stick, How do Unicorns leverage Disruptive Innovation, Building a human-led, data-powered culture, Winning the War for Talent, and Science behind people management.

It is worth mentioning that the ‘For All Community India’ mobile app was also launched during the Summit. The app gives an insight into the best people practices across industries to enrich the workplace culture journey, and access to company members’ research papers, case studies, and blogs from the leaders of the Best Workplaces™ Global. The app also allows users to engage in meaningful discussions on our discussion forums and much more!

Mars Wrigley India enters dark chocolate segment with GALAXY® FUSIONS

Pune/Gurgaon, 13 February 2023: Mars Wrigley India, the Indian business of the world’s leading manufacturer of chocolates, chewing gum, mints, and fruity confections, and the treats and snacks segment of 100-year-old US-based Mars Incorporated, is proud to announce the launch and local production of GALAXY® FUSIONS Dark chocolate with 70% cocoa in India. This marks Mars Wrigley India’s foray into the dark chocolate segment in India and significant expansion of local production of the 60-year-old globally loved brand, GALAXY®. The company is also confident that offering a dark chocolate product will be welcomed by many consumers who want a variety of options in their snacks, from pure indulgence to ‘better for you’ treats including dark chocolate.

With the dark chocolate’s addition to the GALAXY® brand portfolio of indulgent variants, Mars Wrigley India seeks to consolidate its position in the molded chocolates category. The company announced the local production of GALAXY®, one of the iconic brands in its portfolio, in October 2021 at its world-class manufacturing facility in Pune. This was a significant milestone for the company as GALAXY® became the second global chocolate brand to be locally made in India for the Indian market, after SNICKERS® in 2016.

Announcing the launch, Kalpesh Parmar, Country General Manager, Mars Wrigley India said, “We are extremely delighted to launch GALAXY® FUSIONS dark chocolate with 70% cocoa in India. It is a matter of great pride that we are making the global brand in India at our world-class chocolate production facility in Pune. This marks an important milestone for us as we expand our local manufacturing capabilities to make globally loved brands in India with the same quality and signature recipes. This undoubtedly allows us greater production and fresh availability and brings this chocolate delight to a larger number of Indian consumers. GALAXY® FUSIONS is a unique amalgamation of the new-world experience of dark chocolate and the signature smooth taste that GALAXY® stands for and we are confident that offering a dark chocolate product will be welcomed by many of our consumers who want a variety of options in their snacks, from pure indulgence to ‘better for you’ treats including dark chocolate.

India is a key market for Mars Wrigley, and we are committed to growing the category. Over the years, we have been launching our globally loved brands and innovating to develop a portfolio fit for India. Our endeavor has been to bring high-quality chocolates and confectionary into Indian households.”

Varun Kandhari, Marketing Director, Mars Wrigley India, said, “We are convinced that GALAXY® FUSIONS dark chocolate will delight our Indian consumers. GALAXY® FUSIONS will elevate the dark chocolate experience with its premium signature recipe, 70% cocoa content, and its rich, smooth texture. This smooth dark variant is sure to offer a superlative multi-sensory experience to chocolate lovers and connoisseurs alike.”

GALAXY® FUSIONS dark chocolate will be available across traditional, modern retail outlets and all e-commerce portals across the country at various price points starting at INR 90. Mars Wrigley’s diverse portfolio of globally loved brands includes SNICKERS®, BOUNTY®, M&M’s®, SKITTLES®, ORBIT®, DOUBLEMINT®, BOOMER®, SOLANO®, and many variants.

AXISCADES registers highest-ever quarterly Revenue and completes acquisition of Mistral Solutions

Bangalore, February 13, 2023: AXISCADES Technologies Ltd, a leading end-to-end engineering and technology solutions provider, catering to Aerospace, Defence, Heavy Engineering, Automotive, Energy, Medical & Healthcare sectors, serving Global OEMs, today announced results for the quarter that ended Dec 31, 2022.

Performance Highlights

(All Numbers in INR Millions except % data)

*In Q3 and 9M FY23, the consolidated P&L statement recognizes an ‘exceptional item’, with a net negative impact of INR (236)Mn and INR (680) Mn respectively on account of additional consideration and interest cost on acquisition awarded by the Arbitration Tribunal for the Mistral acquisition, which was not part of earlier purchase consideration and interest on Optionally Convertible Debentures relating to Mistral acquisition.

 Key Operational Highlights:

• The company was awarded an enhanced contract by Airbus for the fourth time, continuing the long-standing relationship with Airbus for niche engineering services in the aerospace sector
• Completed the acquisition of Mistral Solutions Private Ltd., a leader in Semiconductor, Embedded Electronics, Defence, and Product Engineering capabilities. The acquisition, which was initiated in the year 2017, was executed over 4 phases at an aggregate acquisition cost of INR 296 crores

Commenting on the performance, Mr. David Bradley, Chairman of AXISCADES said:  “We are delighted by the momentum built in the business, quarter on quarter, and are happy to report highest ever quarterly revenue in this quarter. We continue to execute and strengthen our strategic positioning. As underlined in our key objectives, we have concluded the acquisition of Mistral Solutions in this quarter. This is a value-accretive asset for the Company, which will help us expand our capabilities and offerings in semiconductors, defense, and homeland security. We are also happy to announce additional contract wins in our new focus areas and the extension of our long-standing relationship with Airbus for the fourth time.”

Commenting on the results and outlook, Mr. Arun Krishnamurthi, CEO & MD of AXISCADES said “As I complete my first year in AXISCADES, I  am pleased to report that the journey that we have undertaken in AXISCADES to transform and de-risk the business has translated to vastly improved business and financial performance. Our three-pronged strategy of vertical diversification, customer diversification, and digital-first is well on course. We have achieved the highest-ever quarterly revenue in 3^rd quarter and continue to record healthy operating margins. The conclusion of the acquisition of Mistral Solutions brings forth opportunities to deliver an enhanced bouquet of services to our Global client base, thereby enhancing revenue and profitability, going forward”.

Haier Launches Kinouchi 5 Star Heavy-duty Pro Air Conditioners, Featuring Supersonic Cooling in 10 Seconds

New Delhi, 13th February 2023: Haier, the global leader in Home Appliances & Consumer Electronics and the World’s Number 1 brand in Major Appliances for 14 Consecutive Years* announced the launch of the Kinouchi 5 Star Heavy – Duty Pro Air Conditioner series in India. The Kinouchi AC series is equipped to deliver powerful performance with the supercooling feature and comfort control with Intelli Smart features and Haier Smart App.

Haier’s commitment to producing innovative products for Indian consumers has remained at the core of the business, and the brand has constantly evolved to meet consumer demands for inspired living. Haier has been strengthening its focus on producing premium products through local manufacturing in India. Haier’s state-of-the-art facility in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, has continued to evolve the brand to innovate for Indian customers, especially with premium and high-end products.

Speaking on the launch, Mr. Satish NS, President, of Haier Appliances India said, “At Haier, we believe in designing products powered with innovative technologies that make our consumers’ life simpler and more convenient. India experiences extreme weather conditions, especially the harsh summer season. Keeping the conditions in mind we have launched the new range of Kinouchi 5 Star Heavy-Duty air conditioner series ensures optimum cooling in extreme temperatures, and even takes care of cost efficiency with Triple Inverter Plus technology to maximize comfort, reliability, and performance.

He further added, “We are fully geared up to cater and assist the consumer demand for air conditioners in India and we are confident to achieve a double-digit growth trajectory in 2023”

In its endeavor to bring ultimate comfort to Indian homes, Haier has combined the perfect blend of innovation, design, and energy proficiencies in the Kinouchi Heavy-Duty Pro Air Conditioner series. Consumers who are seeking to upgrade their lifestyle with the latest technology need to look no further.

Speaking on the product, Mr. Shaffy Mehta, Director-Air Conditioner Business, Haier Appliances India said, “At Haier, our focus is to design products that are inspired by customer needs. The Kinouchi 5 Star Heavy-Duty Pro Air Conditioner series is the perfect AC for customers who are looking for smart appliances that not only provide comfort but is also cost-effective. The supercooling feature and comfort control with Intelli Smart features and Haier Smart App of the Kinouchi AC series is the next upgrade customers are looking for.”

Frost Self-Clean Technology

With the rising threat of air pollution, aggravating the spread of diseases, clean and healthy air has become a necessity and not a luxury in today’s scenario. Understanding this need, Haier India has introduced Frost Self-Clean Technology in its entire inverter air conditioner range which offers 99.9% sterilization. Through this technology, users can get a complete indoor wet wash with the press of a button, in the comfort of their homes. Once you activate the Frost Self Clean feature, a frost is formed on the AC’s evaporator which traps all the dust present on the coil. After some time, the frost melts and washes out all the dirt in the form of water out of the drainpipe. Through this, users can get an actual indoor wet wash and breathe clean & healthy air.

Supersonic cooling in 10 seconds

The new air conditioners come with a supersonic feature that cools the room 20x faster. In addition to this, the series provides optimum cooling even at extreme temperatures of up to 60 degrees Celsius.

Intelli Convertible – 7 in 1

The Smart convertible feature allows users to reduce the AC’s tonnage capacity from 1.6 Ton to a minimum of 0.8 Ton. This unique feature can be activated with just a press of the ECO button on the remote. This will help the users to choose the tonnage of the AC as per their requirement, resulting in more energy savings.

Triple Inverter Plus

This technology helps in delivering up to 65% energy savings to the users. Compared to conventional inverter technology, Haier Triple Inverter Plus integrates TLFM inverter control, PID inverter control, and A-PAM inverter control to achieve smart control of the air conditioner to maximize comfort, reliability, and efficiency.

Intelli Smart features

Haier air conditioners with Smart features let users monitor and control air conditioners on the smartphone or smart devices including Alexa and Google Home operational through just voice command. With the Smart Haier App users can create their own 7-day cooling schedule, get reminders on clean or change filters and monitor daily energy consumption.

Price and availability

Haier Kinouchi Heavy Duty Pro 5-star air conditioner, available pan India at a starting price INR 47,990
Available on Haier e-commerce store, Flipkart and Amazon, and other retail outlets.

GALAXY® Chocolate launches #MyGalaxyGirls Campaign to celebrate Female Friendships this Galentine’s Day

India, 13th February 2023: The month of February is truly the season of love to celebrate the special bonds shared with the special ones. Celebrating friendships with your girlfriends is equally important as celebrating your romantic love. This Galentine’s Day, February 13th, go all out and shower your best gals with love and Galaxies to celebrate Galentine’s like never before. Mars Wrigley’s GALAXY® Chocolates has launched a campaign ‘#MyGalaxyOfGirls’ to finally reveal those secret girls’ group names and the hilarious stories behind the same.

When the world is going gaga over the upcoming Valentine’s Day, GALAXY® Chocolate is giving a perfect excuse to cherish the un-breakup-able bonds of female friendships. A chance to celebrate the ones who are found in those special group chats and are going to make it till the end! The contest will be run on the brand’s social media handles, celebrating the bond that brought girlfriends’ together, revealing the darkest of secrets in their group chats and hilarious group names. The consumers will have the chance to win personalized digital packs and much-loved GALAXY® chocolate hampers along with a message celebrating their love by participating in the contest.

Talking about the launch of the campaign, Mr. Varun Kandhari, Marketing Director, Mars Wrigley, India, said, “At Mars Wrigley, India, we are thrilled to launch this fun campaign and to celebrate women and women’s friendships. What better way to do so than with good chocolate? GALAXY® chocolate is loved across the country and globally as well. We have curated sweet Galaxy® Chocolate hampers with beautiful packaging to soothe our women consumers. We hope to continue driving the relevance of our brands for our consumers while finding newer ways for them to celebrate their most cherished relationships.”

The campaign is being launched on social media platforms of the brand, under multiple legs, with collaborations with content creators from across the country.

Yamaha Launches 2023 Motorcycle Line-up with Traction Control System (TCS)

Bangalore, 13th February 2023: Promising a more exciting and thrilling ride experience to biking enthusiasts across the country, India Yamaha Motor (IYM) Pvt Ltd. today announced the launch of the 2023 version of FZS-Fi V4 Deluxe, FZ-X, MT-15 V2 Deluxe, and R15M with an enticing new appeal and class-leading features.

Leading the 150-cc class segment, the Yamaha FZS-Fi V4 Deluxe, FZ-X, and MT-15 V2 Deluxe models will now get Traction Control System (TCS) as a standard feature, in addition to the Yamaha R15M and R15V4. The Traction Control System controls the ignition timing and fuel injection volume to instantly adjust engine power output to avoid excessive slippage. This ensures efficient delivery of power to the wheel and minimizing wheelspin, adding to the thrill that modern-day bikers truly deserve.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Eishin Chihana, Chairman, of Yamaha Motor India Group of Companies, said, “As a part of the ongoing ‘The Call of the Blue brand campaign, Yamaha is committed to introducing exciting features from its global product portfolio in India and introduce initiatives to offer new experiences to our customers. In line with this commitment, we are today delighted to announce the Traction Control system as a standard feature in our 149cc – 155cc premium motorcycle range. Globally, Yamaha motorcycles are immensely appreciated for their impeccable handling and performance. And we are confident that the more evolved 2023 versions of our motorcycles with a list of highly desired features will surely entice our young consumers in India.”

Yamaha FZS-Fi V4 Deluxe & FZ-X

Building upon its legacy, the 2023 version of the FZS-Fi V4 Deluxe model will feature a brand-new headlight design with the addition of LED flashers adding to the premium appeal of the motorcycle in addition to TCS. The FZS-Fi V4 Deluxe variant is now also powered by Bluetooth Enabled Y-Connect Application.

The FZ-X now comes with TCS as standard with the addition of LED flashers and a brand-new color scheme -Dark Matt Blue with a golden color rim, adding the much-desired thrill and comfort that one seeks during riding, be it while commuting in the city or unwinding during the weekend ride.

Both the FZS-Fi V4 Deluxe and the FZ-X models showcase a single-channel ABS in the front with a rear disc brake, a Multi-function LCD instrument cluster, an LED headlight, a tire-hugging rear mudguard and a lower engine guard and are powered by the highly reliable and time-proven 149 cc engine producing 12.4 PS of peak power @ 7,250 rpm and 13.3 Nm of peak torque @ 5,500 rpm.

Yamaha R15M & MT-15 V2 Deluxe

The 2023 R15M will now feature the highly desired YZF-R1-inspired colored TFT Meter with a Gear shift indicator, Track & Street Mode selector, and LED flashers. Continuing the legacy, the R15M 2023 model retains all the features as the previous model. To create more excitement among the R15 customers, the company has also introduced the new Dark Knight color in version 4 of the supersport model.

Besides this, the 2023 Yamaha MT-15 V2 Deluxe will feature dual-channel ABS as standard, increasing the braking efficiency multifold in addition to brand new LED flashers to accentuate its styling further. The MT-15 V2 Deluxe will now be available in Metallic Black color in addition to the existing colors – Ice Fluo-Vermillion, Cyan Storm and Racing Blue.

Raw at heart, both R15M & MT-15 V2 Deluxe are powered by Yamaha’s legendary liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, SOHC, 4-valve, 155cc fuel-injected engine with Variable Valve Actuation (VVA) system. They also feature a slick-shifting 6-speed gearbox mated with an Assist and Slipper clutch for lighter actuation producing 18.4PS of peak power at 10,000rpm, with a peak torque output of 14.2Nm at 7,500rpm.

Pricing Information: 

While accelerating its commitment towards carbon neutrality, Yamaha today has introduced the FZS-Fi V4 Deluxe and FZ-X models with E20 fuel compatibility offering lower emissions without any compromise on performance. By the end of 2023, Yamaha also plans to make all its motorcycle models E20 fuel compliant. Apart from this important feature, the 2023 version of Yamaha motorcycles will also be equipped with onboard diagnostics (OBD-II) System that will support in monitoring the emission levels in real-time and ultimately contribute to reducing carbon footprint.

Commenting on Yamaha’s commitment to reducing carbon footprint, Mr. Chihana said, “While our present strategy is filled with activities to keep customers engaged and excited, we also never forget our responsibility to provide a carbon-neutral future for mobility. As the first step in that direction, today we have launched the FZS-Fi V4 Deluxe and the FZ-X models complaint with E20 fuel and by end of this year, we plan to make all our motorcycle models compatible with E20 fuel. We will continue to innovate and accelerate our efforts to manufacture eco-friendly products which can run on cleaner and greener fuels in order to achieve our carbon neutrality goals in the future.”

Barbeque Nation brings street food festival ‘Khao Galli Mela’ in Bengaluru

Bengaluru, February 13, 2023: Barbeque Nation is launching a street food festival ― ‘Khao Galli Mela’ ― that allows its esteemed customers to savour the taste of a choice of zesty, popular street food preparations that are really spicy, and crunchy in every bite.

The food festival will commence on 12th February 2023 and go on till 5th March 2023 across all Barbeque Nation outlets in Bengaluru.

On this occasion, Mr Faiz Azim – Chief Operating Officer, Barbeque Nation Hospitality Limited, said, “We are pleased to invite our guests to relish and celebrate the food festival ― Khao Galli Mela. We would be offering popular street food dishes that are specially crafted by our chefs.”

Take a trip to the street food corners of India. Savour the crunch of Mumbai’s Gur Til ke Laddu, the softness of Paniyaram, the creaminess of Chettinad Egg Masala, the spiciness of Bhatti Da Murgh, and more.

The curated menu for this food festival includes veg and non-veg starters like Jhal Muri, Sattu, Dahi Kabab, Pani Puri Kabab, Tandoori Cheese Mushroom, Paneer Tikka Nasheman, Hariyali Grilled Veg, BBQ Grill Pineapple, Cajun Spice Potato, Chatpata Chaap, Cheese Broccoli, Crispy Corn, Tandoori Drumstick, and Reshmi Chicken.

This is besides Barbeque Nation’s plethora of vegetarian and non-vegetarian spreads. For starters, non-vegetarians can indulge in the famous Mexican Chilli Garlic Fish, Hot Garlic Chicken Wings, Tandoori Tangdi, Cajun Seekh Kebab, Coastal Barbeque Prawns, and much more, while vegetarians can feast on the mouth-watering Kuti Mirch Ka Paneer Tikka, Wok Tossed Seekh Kebab, Shabnam ke Moti Mushroom, Poori Kebab, and Honey Sesame Cinnamon Pineapple, among others. The main course section for non-vegetarians includes Chicken Dum Biryani, Rajasthani Laal Maas, and Dum Ka Murgh, while vegetarians can indulge in Paneer Butter Masala, Methi Matar Malai, Dal-E-Dum, and Veg Dum Biryani. The live counters offer a variety of non-veg/veg options like Chilli Crispy Puri, Palak Chaat, Margarita Pizza, Keema Pav, and Chicken Sheek. The dessert section comprises Chocolate Brownies, Red Velvet Pastries, Angoori Gulab Jamun, Kesari Phirnee, and more. The wide range of Kulfis at the restaurant will leave the guests asking for more. These kulfis can be twisted by mixing various flavours into one and creating diverse combinations of the much-loved dessert.

Elista launches premium quality, large-capacity desert coolers at an affordable price

Elista, India’s leading manufacturer of electronics, home appliances, IT & mobile accessories, today announced the launch of new desert coolers. These desert coolers will be available across Gujrat, Jharkhand, Bihar, and Maharashtra. The regions are known for their scorching heat, and Elista has developed these coolers to provide much-needed respite to the consumer at an affordable price point. The company has added two desert coolers – Desert Snow Monk and Aurora Cool. Both these models have one year warranty and have a large water capacity of 90 liters. Both function at 1350 rpm with a heavy-duty motor of 100 watts. The top frame has been made with toughened glass.

Pawan Kumar, CEO of Elista, says, “Elista has been witnessing robust growth in the cooler segment. Gujarat, Maharashtra, Bihar, and Jharkhand are important markets for us, and we are looking to consolidate our position in these key markets. Our desert coolers have been designed keeping in mind the weather conditions and consumer requirements of these regions. These large-capacity desert coolers offer maximum cooling and uniform airflow. We are expanding our presence in key markets and looking forward to gaining a more significant market share in tier 2 and 3 cities.”

Elista’s Desert Snow Monk and Desert Aurora Cool have a large blower and a long air throw of 35 feet. They have mosquito and dust filter nets installed to keep the air fresh and clean. Designed with Indian consumers in mind, these desert coolers are energy efficient and consume only 230 Watts of power. They also have an extra-large honeycomb cooling pad for more cooling.

Jyotsna, Shri Surya Ji Electronics, states, “Elista is one of the trusted names in the Indian consumer electronic space, and we have been its partner from the early days. It has been a rewarding journey so far. 2023 has started on the right note, and we expect a good customer response to this new range of coolers”.

Elista is known for delivering quality products at affordable prices. With its desert cooler range too, the company is offering the best of features, top-notch build quality, and an attractive design. The Desert Snow Monk cooler is available in a White and Grey color combination; while the Desert Aurora Cool is available in a White and Blue color combination. Elista’s new range of desert coolers is available at an affordable price range, starting from Rs 7,899.

Elista has a wide range of personal, window, desert, and tower coolers with various options for consumers. As each of these products has been created with unique insights into customer requirements, the high-efficiency Elista coolers provide a superior cooling experience at an affordable price.

Elista has been clocking in growth owing to its high-quality products and has become synonymous with excellent quality at an affordable price. Right from its inception, Elista’s motto has been to make India for the world. Having established its roots in India, the company is now charting global expansion. It has recently started operations in the UAE market and will branch out to the CIS and MENA regions soon. Elista will also be setting up its manufacturing unit in India this year.