Category Archives: Business

Kärcher Showcases Advanced Cleaning Solutions for Growing Automotive Sector in Jaipur

New Delhi, May 29: Kärcher India participated in an exclusive automotive seminar in Jaipur themed “No Matter What Your Challenge Is. There’s Kärcher for That.” The session focused on helping automotive workshops and dealerships improve operational efficiency, maintenance standards, and customer experience through advanced cleaning technologies.

With Rajasthan, particularly Jaipur, emerging as a growing hub for automotive retail and service businesses, the seminar brought together industry professionals, dealership representatives, and business partners to discuss evolving operational requirements and the increasing need for smarter, more efficient workshop management solutions.

The event featured interactive discussions and live demonstrations showcasing how modern cleaning systems can help automotive businesses reduce downtime, improve turnaround efficiency, maintain hygiene standards, and create a better customer-facing environment across workshops and showrooms.

As part of the showcase, Kärcher demonstrated a range of professional cleaning solutions designed for automotive applications:

●High-pressure cleaner – HD 7/16 – Used for efficient vehicle exterior cleaning and heavy-duty automotive washing applications.

●High-pressure cleaner – HD 6/15 – Designed for effective cleaning of vehicles, workshop areas, and automotive equipment.

●Wet and dry vacuum cleaner – NT 30/1 – Suitable for workshop maintenance and vehicle interior cleaning applications.

●Scrubber dryer – BD 43/40 – Used for cleaning and maintaining showroom and workshop floors with improved efficiency.

●Manual sweeper – KM 70/20 – Ideal for indoor and outdoor sweeping applications across automotive facilities.

●Single-disc machine – BDS 43/150 – Designed for deep floor cleaning, scrubbing, and polishing applications.

●Steam vacuum cleaner – SG 4/4 – Used for deep cleaning and sanitization of automotive interiors, surfaces, and hard-to-reach workshop areas.

Speaking at the seminar, Mr Puneet Sharma, MD, Kärcher India, said, “Jaipur and the larger Rajasthan market are witnessing steady growth across the automotive sector, with businesses increasingly focusing on operational excellence and customer-centric service experiences. As workshops, showrooms and dealerships continue to modernize, the demand for efficient and reliable maintenance solutions is also growing. Through initiatives like these, we aim to engage closely with industry stakeholders and showcase technologies that can help improve productivity, optimize operations, and maintain high standards across facilities.”

The live demonstrations enabled attendees to experience Kärcher’s solutions first-hand and understand their role in enhancing operational efficiency and long-term maintenance management within automotive facilities.

Trident Limited bags Gold Trophy at TEXPROCIL export awards

May, 29: Trident Limited has been honoured with the Gold Trophy for Global Exports at the TEXPROCIL Export Awards 2023–24, held on May 25, 2026, in Mumbai. The award was presented at a ceremony graced by the Union Finance Minister, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, recognising excellence in India’s textile export sector.

Commenting on the achievement, Padma Shri Rajinder Gupta, Chairman Emeritus, stated:

 “We are elated to receive the Gold Trophy for Global Cotton Textile Exports at the TEXPROCIL Export Awards for the year 2023–24. It reflects our contribution to India’s growing global textile presence. This recognition is a testament to our continued commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainability as India’s textile industry strengthens its global leadership and contributes to the vision of Viksit Bharat.”

Trident has been on a winning streak for its performance in exports, having bagged more than 30 awards across categories since 2005. Trident has been honoured by TEXPROCIL for the 19th consecutive year, underscoring the group’s robust export performance.

Established by Government of India in 1954, The Cotton Textile Export Promotion Council  is one of the  autonomous nonprofit export promotion councils, supporting cotton textile exports through trade facilitation, global market access, policy advocacy, and industry development initiatives.

Trident Limited continues to advance India’s export vision, strengthening the country’s global textile leadership through its consistent export performance and integrated capabilities.

Ashok Leyland appoints K. M. Balaji as Whole-Time Director

Chennai, May 29: Ashok Leyland Limited, the Indian flagship of the Hinduja Group, has announced a stellar performance for Q4 and for full year FY2026, delivering the highest-ever quarterly and annual Revenues, EBITDA, and PAT.  

The company reported an EBITDA of Rs. 2,066 Cr for Q4 FY26, up 15% from Rs. 1,791 Cr for the same period last year. The operating PBT for the quarter was at Rs. 1,909 Cr, up 14% vis-a-vis Rs. 1,671 Cr for the same period last year. PAT was at Rs. 1,405 Cr, up 13% vis-a-vis Rs. 1,246 Cr in Q4 last year. Cash generated during the quarter was Rs. 3,280 Cr.

The Company declared record numbers for the year ending March 31, 2026:

After a one-time charge of Rs. 308 Cr owing to the new Labor Code

FY26 EBITDA was at Rs. 5,732 Cr (13.0%) vis-a-vis Rs. 4,931 Cr (12.7%) last year. The Company ended the financial year with Net cash of Rs. 5,899 Cr, vis-a-vis Rs. 4,242 Cr at the end of the previous year.

Overall CV volumes scaled a new all-time high of 220,437 units, surpassing the previous peak of 197,366 units achieved in FY19. The CV Volumes in FY26 were up 13% from last year.  LCV volumes set a new benchmark, reaching 74,322 units, well above the earlier high of 66,633 units in FY24.

Export volumes also reached a historic high of 18,082 units, delivering a robust growth of 18.5% over the previous year’s 15,255 units. The Power Solutions and Aftermarket businesses continued their strong momentum, posting impressive growth during the year.

Our major subsidiaries further accelerated their growth journeys during FY26. Switch Mobility delivered a standout performance, with a surge in e-Bus volumes to 1,530 units, growing by 238% over the previous year. The e-LCV volumes rose to 1,606 units, with a robust 56% growth. The revenue more than doubled to ₹1,807 Cr, with PAT of ₹ 104 Cr in FY26 against a loss of ₹ 62 Cr in the previous year.

Hinduja Leyland Finance Limited (HLF – standalone) posted a stellar 24% growth in FY26 to achieve AUM of Rs. 59,531 Cr.  HLF PAT is up by 20% to Rs. 491 Cr.  Hinduja Housing Finance (HHF – standalone) has grown its AUM by 15% to Rs. 15,937 Cr, with PAT growing by 4% to Rs. 387 Cr. 

Mr. Dheeraj Hinduja, Chairman, Ashok Leyland Limited said,

“Achieving these record-breaking milestones and delivering a strong financial performance across our businesses is a matter of immense pride for us. Our CV and export volumes were at an all-time high, reflecting the deep trust our customers place in us. The Company delivered significant growth in Power Solutions, Aftermarket and Electric Mobility businesses. Our Defence order pipeline is at its all-time high, signifying ability to deliver superior growth in the coming years. Our entry into Indonesia gives further boost to our ambition in global markets. The record financial performance is backed by relentless innovation, unwavering focus on customer satisfaction, and ability to accelerate our ambition in global markets. We are well-positioned to sustain profitable growth and create long-term value.”  

Mr. Shenu Agarwal, Managing Director & CEO, Ashok Leyland Limited said,

 “FY26 has been a defining year for us, marked by record-breaking achievements across revenue, EBITDA, profitability and cash generation. Our strong margin expansion reflects the success of our premiumization strategy, the resilience of our operations, and the growing strength of our diversified business portfolio. A record cash surplus of nearly Rs. 6,000 Cr provides us with significant firepower for enhanced investments in products, technology and future-ready solutions, while continuing to elevate customer experience. With consecutive three years of record performance, we are more confident than ever in our ability to strengthen our technology leadership, gain market share and further enhance price realization through superior value delivery.”

The Board of Directors declared a second interim dividend of ₹ 2.50 per share (Face value of ₹ 1/- per share). Together with the interim dividend declared and paid during Q3, the overall dividend for the year works out to ₹ 3.50 per share. (350%).

“Mogu Mogu” Launches Global Campaign “Wanna Skip?… You Gotta Chew” to Engage Gen Z Worldwide

New Exhibitors and Startups Bring Fresh Innovation to ITS America Conference & Expo 2026

DETROIT, Mich. (May 28, 2026) – ITS America Conference & Expo, organized in partnership by RX Global and ITS America, welcomes 170 exhibitors to its 2026 event, including nearly 70 first-time participants and a growing group of innovative startups featured in the inaugural ITS StartUps Zone. The event takes place June 9-12, 2026, at Huntington Place in Detroit, bringing together over 3,000 public and private sector transportation leaders, researchers, and decision-makers committed to advancing safer, smarter, and more connected mobility solutions.

New Exhibitors Expand the ITS and Mobility Ecosystem

This year’s show floor welcomes companies spanning artificial intelligence, connected transportation, cybersecurity, data analytics, digital infrastructure, autonomous vehicles, and smart city technologies. New exhibitors joining the 2026 lineup include:

• BusPatrol delivers AI-powered school bus safety programs trusted by communities across North America.

• Claro provides AI video analytics and cybersecurity solutions designed to protect logistics and supply chain operations.

• Chainzone Technology is a veteran LED variable message sign manufacturer with global project experience, including major European tunnel and highway deployments.

• Connected Signals delivers real-time, predictive traffic light information directly to vehicles.

• Raytec Systems designs high-performance LED lighting solutions that support license plate recognition, wrong-way detection, and smart city applications.

The complete list of new exhibitors is available at itsamericaevents.com.

Startups Gain a Bigger Stage

ITS America Conference & Expo 2026 introduces the all-new ITS StartUps Zone, a dedicated space on the show floor built exclusively for emerging transportation companies, with an estimated 5 companies set to participate. The event also wants to cast a spotlight on other start-up companies that are exhibiting on the show floor with a larger presence, such as Mobito Neuweb, Inex.Net, ASX, ViaSight and Intreelligent. ITS America Conference & Expo ensures new voices in transportation receive the visibility and connections they need to grow.  Placed alongside the industry’s most established players, emerging companies gain direct access to the agencies, investors, and partners who can advance their technologies from concept to deployment.

“The growth in new exhibitors and startups reflects the extraordinary momentum building across the intelligent transportation sector,” said Laura Chace, President and CEO, ITS America. “Cities, agencies, and industry partners all benefit when the full range of innovation, from established platforms to emerging technologies, is represented in one place. ITS America Conference & Expo is exactly that place, and we are proud to be the platform where the future of transportation comes to life.”

More to Discover for Attendees 

The expanded exhibitor lineup gives attendees more opportunities to explore new technologies, identify deployment partners, and learn from real-world implementations. From advanced cybersecurity platforms and AI-powered traffic management tools to connected vehicle systems and smart infrastructure technologies, the 2026 show floor offers a broader, more diverse range of solutions than ever before.

“The ITS StartUps Zone is a direct response to the appetite we see for emerging technology across the transportation sector,” said Jaime McAuley, Event Vice President, ITS America Events, RX Global. “We created this dedicated space so the boldest new innovators in transportation can stand alongside the industry’s most established names, because that kind of access accelerates innovation and drives real results for the communities transportation professionals serve.”

New exhibitors are integrated throughout the show floor at Huntington Place, with the ITS StartUps Zone and other start-up companies exhibiting, the event offers a dedicated destination for the latest emerging technologies. To register and explore the full exhibitor list, visit itsamericaevents.com.

Indulge in Seafood Wednesdays at Grand Market Pavilion, ITC Royal Bengal

Kolkata’s midweek just got a whole lot more delicious. Grand Market Pavilion at ITC Royal Bengal presents Seafood Wednesday — an immersive culinary journey celebrating the very best the ocean has to offer.

Every Wednesday evening, seafood lovers are invited to explore a magnificent spread of ocean-fresh treasures, from succulent flame-grilled prawns and delicately baked fish to tender squid, scallops, octopus, pomfret, lobster and a host of signature specialities. Each dish is thoughtfully crafted with contemporary flair, drawing inspiration from coastal cuisines around the world.

A highlight of the evening is the exclusive North East Live Counter, where seafood takes centre stage through a distinctive and theatrical presentation that showcases the region’s bold, earthy flavours in an entirely unique way. Rounding out the experience, the counter also features a refreshing selection of seafood salads — light, vibrant and thoughtfully composed to complement the richness of the spread. Adding to this, the other live counters bring their own flair to the table — with skilled chefs grilling a diverse selection of the freshest catches to order, paired with an exciting array of signature sauces that add depth, character and a touch of adventure to every bite.

Seafood Wednesdays are available every Wednesday from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM, until 30th June 2026.

CCI Projects Pvt Ltd Completes 85 Lakh Kg Temperature-Controlled Concrete Pour Covering 3,400 Cubic Metres

Mumbai, May 28: Demonstrating exceptional engineering precision and execution excellence, CCI Projects Pvt Ltd has successfully completed a massive 3,400 cubic metre temperature-controlled concrete pour for the raft foundation of Rivali Park 2’s new tower, marking a significant construction milestone for their ambitious mega-project Skyleap.

The operation involved pouring of nearly 8,500 metric tonnes, equivalent to approximately 85 lakh kilograms of temperature-controlled concrete through a meticulously coordinated effort spanning three shifts daily.

The achievement stands as a testament to the scale, complexity and technical sophistication of the project, requiring weeks of detailed planning, preparation and cross-functional coordination. More than 1,000 metric tonnes of reinforcement steel were cut, bent and tied for the raft foundation prior to the pour.

Speaking on the milestone, Rohan Khatau, Director, CCI Projects said,

“This achievement reflects the extraordinary planning, teamwork and commitment demonstrated by our teams, consultants and contractor partners. Executing a continuous temperature-controlled pour of this scale over multiple days requires an exceptional level of coordination, technical expertise and on-ground discipline. We are proud of this collective effort that has enabled us to achieve an important milestone successfully.”

To ensure structural integrity and maintain precise thermal conditions during execution, the team deployed advanced temperature-control and monitoring mechanisms, including:

·Extensive mock-up trials prior to execution

·Use of ice to regulate initial concrete temperature

·Embedded sensors to continuously monitor thermal variations

·Protective coverings to shield the concrete from external heat

·Smog guns to create mist and reduce ambient temperature during pouring

The operation was seamlessly while parallel construction and external development works continued across Rivali Park 2’s other towers. 

From AI in New Zealand to STEM in Italy: ROI-led choices reshape Indian students’ study-abroad map

National, May 28: Leap Scholar, South Asia’s largest AI-powered study-abroad ecosystem, has released new data showing that Indian students are widening their study-abroad choices by increasingly looking beyond traditional destinations. The data shows rising demand for New Zealand, Italy, Singapore, France and wider Europe, as students evaluate global education through a sharper lens of career outcomes, specialised courses, affordability and long-term ROI.

The shift indicates that destination choice is becoming more strategic. Students are no longer looking only at the most popular countries; they are comparing markets based on what they offer in terms of future-ready courses, employability, lower-cost public university options and post-study value.

A strong example of this shift is New Zealand, where AI-led education is gaining significant traction. The University of Auckland’s Master of AI programme saw demand rise by 33,800% YoY, contributing to the university’s 865% overall growth. This highlights how a sharply positioned programme in a high-demand field can quickly influence destination preference among Indian students.

Singapore is also emerging as a serious contender. It appeared in 26.6% of student conversations, making it the second-most discussed destination after the UK in this dataset. Its proximity to India, strong academic ecosystem and technology-led job market are making it increasingly relevant, though students still need clearer India-specific guidance on costs, jobs, PR pathways and long-term outcomes.

Italy is gaining ground as a fresher-STEM destination. Freshers account for 65.8% of STEM demand, while STEM fields make up 52.9% of all fresher demand for the country. This positions Italy as a strong high-ROI option for Indian engineering and science students, especially due to its lower-cost public university ecosystem.

France is moving beyond its MBA-led perception, recording 541.8% YTD growth, driven by specialised non-management degrees such as MSc Finance and MSc Marketing.

Interest is also building across Europe beyond the UK and Germany, with the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, Denmark and other destinations appearing in 17.6% of student conversations. However, students continue to seek clarity on tuition, language requirements, work rights, PR pathways and job-market realities.

A separate destination-wise cost comparison for Singapore, France, Italy and New Zealand can also be shared with journalists as background data, for reference and publication at their editorial discretion.

Methodology

This trend report is based on anonymised lead-generation and student-interest data from Leap’s internal database. The insights have been drawn from a relevant subset of students within Leap’s overall database of 1.1 million+ students, filtered basis the specific geography, time period, destination interest, course preference, and student behaviour patterns analysed for this report.

The data has been reviewed to identify directional shifts in study-abroad intent, emerging destination preferences, course-level demand, and student decision-making trends. The report is intended to provide a timely view of how Indian students are evaluating global education opportunities and the factors shaping their choices.

Tata AutoComp and Jahwa Electronics Announce Joint Venture to Drive Advanced Thermal Management Solutions for India’s EV Market

New Delhi, India, May 28: Tata AutoComp Systems Ltd. has entered a joint venture with Korea’s Jahwa Electronics to locally manufacture and supply advanced low-voltage and high-voltage PTC heaters. This partnership leverages Jahwa’s engineering and magnetic material expertise to address the surging demand for efficient thermal management solutions in India’s electric and hybrid vehicle segments. 

This joint venture combines Jahwa Electronics’ high-efficiency thermal technologies with Tata AutoComp’s robust local manufacturing ecosystem, customer relationships, and market leadership. The joint venture positions India as a key strategic hub for Jahwa, leveraging localized low- and high-voltage PTC heaters to tap into booming EV and hybrid investments from global and domestic OEMs. 

Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Chanyong Kim, CEO Jahwa Electronics said: “Jahwa Electronics considers it highly meaningful to contribute to the rapidly growing Indian electric vehicle market and infrastructure ecosystem through cooperation with Tata AutoComp. 

By combining Jahwa’s precision component technology with Tata AutoComp’s strong local network and expertise, we aim to provide high-efficiency thermal management solutions optimized for the Indian market. 

“With domestic automakers and global OEMs aggressively scaling investments in electrification, India’s electric and hybrid vehicle markets are expanding rapidly. This is a critical juncture for us to establish a firm market entry foundation as a key supplier of both high-voltage and low-voltage PTCs. Forging this venture with Tata AutoComp is a deeply strategic decision; the Tata Group’s formidable market influence, business scale, and exceptional corporate credibility ensure we secure a stable foothold and drive sustainable growth across the region.” 

Commenting on the joint venture, Mr. Arvind Goel, Vice Chairman, Tata AutoComp Systems said: “This joint venture marks another milestone in Tata AutoComp’s strategy of bringing world-class automotive technologies to India. I am confident that our partnership with Jahwa Electronics, a globally recognized leader in specialty electronic components, will help introduce innovative sustainable solutions to the evolving mobility landscape of India.” 

Tata AutoComp Systems MD & CEO Mr. Manoj Kolhatkar added, “Jahwa Electronics exceptional technological prowess perfectly complements our robust manufacturing ecosystem. This JV is testimony to our vision of value delivery through constant innovation.”

APJ Organisations Losing Millions Annually Due to Workforce Culture and Capability Gaps, Cornerstone Report Finds

SINGAPORE, Thursday, May 28: Cornerstone OnDemand Inc., a global leader in workforce readiness solutions, today announced new research showing that organisations across Asia-Pacific and Japan are losing millions of dollars each year to preventable workforce capability gaps tied to culture.

The report, The Hidden Number: The Economic Value of Culture and Capability, finds that for every 1,000 employees, the cost of unaddressed culture and capability failures is estimated at SGD 1.25 million in Singapore, INR 7.03 million in India, JPY 62.38 million in Japan and AUD 1.64 million in Australia. Notably, around 85% of these costs are tied to retention and absenteeism, pointing to existing teams rather than hiring pipelines as the largest source of workforce cost.

The research measures workforce capability across six pillars to highlight where organisations are losing value and demonstrate how culture and capability investment translates into commercial outcomes. The findings expose a consistent disconnect between how leaders perceive their organisations and how employees actually experience them.

HR leaders across Asia-Pacific and Japan rate their organisations’ workforce capability significantly higher than employees do in every market surveyed, a gap that holds whether the market is high-growth or mature. Researchers warn the disconnect may be distorting strategic decisions on AI investment, restructures and hiring.

Among the report’s findings:

●    APJ HR leaders rate workforce capability at 81.5 out of 100, while employees rate it more than 15 points lower across every market surveyed, a consistent gap regardless of market maturity.

●     Around 85% of the economic cost tied to capability gaps comes from retention and absenteeism rather than hiring inefficiency.

●    AI and Workforce Planning is the most significant blind spot region-wide, with employees reporting far lower confidence in their preparedness for automation and role change than HR leaders assume.

●     Indonesia and India lead the region in HR leader confidence but record the largest disconnects between leadership and employee perceptions.

●     Japan posts the lowest capability maturity score in the region and the weakest employee confidence in AI readiness.

●     Capability gaps widen in larger enterprises, where organisational complexity amplifies disconnects in leadership credibility, workforce planning and internal talent mobility.

The findings echo a separate Cornerstone study recently released, which found that in a survey of 2,000 US and UK employees, 46% reported using AI tools at work without any formal training from their employer, and 65% were building AI skills independently outside of work.The consistent pattern of employees navigating AI adoption without adequate organisational support points to a structural gap in how organisations globally are managing the human side of AI deployment.

 “The most important drivers of performance in modern organisations have historically been invisible. They sit across attrition, lost productivity, delayed hiring, contractor reliance and failed transformation outcomes, but are rarely measured as one workforce lever,” said Brenton Smith, Vice President, Asia-Pacific & Japan at Cornerstone OnDemand.

“This research gives APJ leaders a new way to see their Invisible P&L. The organisations that will outperform over the next five years are those that treat workforce capability as a measurable commercial system, not a soft HR metric.”

To help organisations address these gaps, Cornerstone launched Cornerstone Workforce AI™, the intelligence platform for workforce readiness, designed to deliver the insights leaders want, the skills people need, and AI agents that make action easy.

At its core are the Cornerstone People Graph™ and Cornerstone Skills Engine, which combine to turn two decades of workforce data across 45 million users, terabytes of labour market intelligence, a taxonomy of more than 55,000 skills, over 1 billion workforce profiles, and signals from systems-of-record into an inference layer that powers every decision. 

The rich, dynamic context this creates, coupled with agentic orchestration, makes Cornerstone Workforce AI a powerful ally for organizations who want to deliver strategic outcomes faster and turn continuous workforce readiness into a competitive advantage.