Exclusive Announcement: Former Varroc Head of operations joins Sieger Tech as New COO

19th April 2024  Hyderabad: Sieger Tech, a leading name in the lithium battery industry, officially announces the appointment of Kuldeep Magiri as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO). Kuldeep, with extensive expertise in operations and manufacturing, is a vibrant force bringing invaluable proficiency to drive Sieger Tech’s growth trajectory.

In his previous role as Head of Operations at Varroc Group, a prominent motor manufacturing firm, Kuldeep’s track record is proof that his strategic implementations have significantly enhanced cost-effectiveness, operational flexibility, and customer satisfaction. With extensive expertise in the manufacturing and automotive sectors, Kuldeep’s leadership and strategic vision align with Sieger’s goals of innovation, sustainability and market dominance, in perfect harmony.

Sieger Tech has long been at the forefront of innovation in India’s lithium-ion battery and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) market. Establishing a full-scale R&D center in 2017 and pioneering state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities with a capacity of 100MWH,its prestigious research project for Indian Military Application in 2022 underscored its prowess. Guided by principles of quality, reliability, and productivity, Sieger Tech continues to capture significant market share, pioneer advancements in battery technology and solidify its position as an industry frontrunner with an additional manufacturing capacity of 0.1 GWH, totaling 0.6 GWH and scalable to 2 GWH per annum.

Commenting on the appointment, Sieger Tech’s CEOMr.GURU Prasanth Reddy remarked, “We are thrilled to welcome Kuldeep Magiri to the Sieger Tech family as our new COO. His proven track record in operations management and deep understanding of the manufacturing landscape make him the perfect fit to lead our operations to new heights.”

Kuldeep Magiri expressed his enthusiasm for the new role, stating, “I am honored to join Sieger Tech, a company known for its commitment to innovation and excellence. I look forward to collaborating with the talented team at Sieger Tech to drive operational efficiency and fuel the company’s continued success.”

With Kuldeep Magiri at the helm as COO, Sieger Tech is poised to strengthen its leadership position in the lithium battery industry. The company remains committed to driving innovation and customer satisfaction, ensuring a sustainable future through its sophisticated system for managing and maintaining batteries.
A

Footprints Childcare Launches Industry-First AI Assistant with 98% Accuracy, Revolutionizing Early Childhood Education

New Delhi, India – 19th April 2024 : Footprints Childcare, India’s renowned preschool and daycare brand, today announced the launch of its revolutionary AI assistant, boasting an impressive 98% accuracy rate. This innovative technology marks a significant leap forward in early childhood education, empowering Footprints to deliver unparalleled care and transparency to parents.

Footprints’ new AI assistant offers a multitude of benefits for parents. The system can automatically detect situations where adult supervision is lacking in a classroom, triggering immediate alerts for teachers. Additionally, the AI can monitor cleaning schedules, ensuring a hygienic environment for all students. Parents will have access to real-time data on their child’s activities, including meals consumed, nap times, and bathroom breaks.

“At Footprints, we’ve always been driven by a deep commitment to leveraging technology to enhance the early learning experience for children,” says Raj Singhal, Co-founder and CEO of Footprints Childcare. “Our new AI assistant represents a major step forward in this mission. By automating critical tasks and providing real-time insights, we can ensure our students’ highest standards of safety and well-being while fostering greater peace of mind for parents.”

Footprints’ integration of AI technology underscores the brand’s commitment to continuous innovation within the early childhood education sector. With artificial intelligence, Footprints is setting a new benchmark for quality care that guarantees the best possible care for kids while encouraging greater transparency and confidence among parents.

Footprints Childcare’s AI solution addresses a critical need in childcare centers: ensuring the constant presence and supervision of adults. The system meticulously analyzes real-time video feeds, identifying rooms where an adult might be absent for even a short duration. This not only enhances safety but also acts as a deterrent to potential behavioral issues among children.

Cleanmax and Apple Partner to Accelerate Renewable Energy Adoption in India

Chennai, 19th April 2024 CleanMax (Clean Max Enviro Energy Solutions), a leading renewable energy provider in Asia for the Commercial and Industrial (C&I) sector, is thrilled to announce a landmark joint venture with Apple. This pioneering partnership aims to bolster renewable energy projects across India, marking a significant step forward in the nation’s green energy landscape.

As part of the partnership, Clean Max has successfully installed 14.4 MW of rooftop solar installations across six industrial sites in India. These installations are expected to mitigate around 207,000 tons of CO2 emissions throughout their operational life, underscoring Apple’s commitment to environmental sustainability.

By facilitating access to crucial renewable energy financing, the partnership is enabling industries to transition towards renewable energy sources and optimize their energy expenses. The initiative aims to accelerate the development of renewable energy projects across the country.

The collaboration is grounded in an innovative business model, where the environmental benefits accruing from the financed projects will assist Apple in addressing the emissions associated with its corporate operations in India.

In a post on the Apple newsroom, “To address its growing corporate operations in India, Apple has embarked on a joint venture with leading renewable developer CleanMax to invest in a portfolio of six rooftop solar projects with a total size of 14.4 megawatts. The added capacity provides a local solution to power Apple’s offices, its two retail stores in the country, and other operations in India. Apple first achieved 100 percent renewable energy for its global corporate operations in 2018.”

Apple also shared its commitment to its 2030 climate goal. “Clean energy and water are foundational to healthy communities and essential building blocks for a responsible business,” said Lisa Jackson, Apple’s Vice President of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives. “We’re racing toward our ambitious Apple 2030 climate goal while taking on the long-term work to transform electrical grids and restore watersheds to build a cleaner future for all.”

Kuldeep Jain, Managing Director of CleanMax, shared his excitement about the venture: “CleanMax is proud of its joint venture with Apple. Our mission is to be sustainability partner to corporates, and we consider this JV to be a big milestone in our journey. It showcases an industry-leading approach to the creation of green energy assets. The growing interest from other consumer brands in such joint ventures is a positive sign of the shift towards sustainability.”

As the country accelerates its transition towards a carbon-neutral future, corporations are at the forefront of contributing to India’s renewable energy targets while realizing cost savings and enhanced energy security. In this landmark shift towards sustainable business practices, Indian corporations are spearheading this paradigm shift.

Over the years, CleanMax has emerged as a key player in aiding corporations across Asia in achieving their sustainability objectives. With a robust portfolio of 2GW of operating renewable assets and a clientele exceeding 750 spanning various industries, CleanMax has demonstrated its commitment to facilitating the transition towards a more sustainable energy landscape. Through strategic partnerships and innovative solutions, CleanMax empowers businesses to reduce their environmental footprint and embrace carbon mitigation & renewable solutions as a catalyst for long-term sustainability and economic growth.

The collaboration between Apple and CleanMax symbolizes the importance of cross-sector partnerships aimed at addressing critical environmental challenges. It serves as a powerful example of how combined efforts can lead to innovative solutions that promote economic growth while prioritizing sustainability and carbon neutrality.

Pioneering Success: JIIF’s Incubation Cohort Programs Propel India’s Startup Revolution

India, 19th April 2024: JITO Incubation and Innovation Foundation (JIIF), one of India’s leading Incubator and Angel Networks, announces the launch of JITO Incubation Centre (JIC) Cohort 10. Following the success of Cohorts 8 and 9, applications for the Cohort 10 Incubation Program have commenced, with a submission deadline of April 30th, 2024. This program will be sector-agnostic.

JITO Incubation Centre, India’s premier incubator, is transforming the startup landscape with its impactful cohorts. Since its inception in 2017, the center has focused on nurturing new-age founders and continues to gain recognition for its successful cohort-based programs, consistently attracting numerous applicants for upcoming initiatives.

In a historic first, the center organized Cohort 8, a Women-Specific Incubation Program in September 2023, receiving 50 applications from across India. 25 women founders participated in a four-day bootcamp, culminating in the selection of three standout startups: Froodelite (D2C) offering caffeine-free fruit tea with unique rooibos-based flavor combinations; The Critical Thinking School (EdTech), India’s first career counseling platform without reliance on tests to guide a child’s career path; and Vigor E-Bike (Automobile), Rajasthan’s first E-Moto Bike startup developed by top IT-Tech and Automotive industry professionals for today’s youth.

Building on the success of Cohort 8, JITO launched Cohort 9 Incubation Program in February 2024, targeting young founders who are eager to build their startups. The program received over 60 applications from diverse sectors including D2C, SAAS, EV, Chemtech, and Deeptech, showcasing an exceptional drive to innovate and create a global impact. Among the top-notched applicants selected for the exclusive program were EvoraGreens (D2C), which is transforming the coffee experience with functional brews that offer delightful flavors and health benefits, and Jaipour Coffee (D2C), which provides exceptional coffee that evokes a sense of home with every exquisite brew.

The program also welcomed The Elefant (EdTech), India’s first toy rental mobile app revolutionizing play, and Loadsor (Logistics), a platform that connects stakeholders in the supply chain and provides visibility and insights into every operation. Additionally, SpaceAgeFood (D2C) is crafting healthy on-the-go snacks using advanced shelf-stable technology, and OrderAxe (Info & Comm) offers sophisticated cloud-based OMS and ERP solutions tailored for manufacturing, distribution, and retail businesses.

Rajat Mehta, Chairman of JITO Incubation and Innovation Foundation (JIIF), expressed pride about the achievements and said, “I’m thrilled with the success of our initiatives like Cohort 8 and 9, as they promote innovation and entrepreneurial excellence in alignment with the ‘Make in India’ initiative. We foresee that Cohort 10 will give a boost to our reputation, expand our network, facilitate knowledge exchange, spur ecosystem growth, and ensure continuous support for budding ventures.”

Vikash Kawar, Vice-Chairman, JITO Incubation Centre (JIC), said, “I’ve had the pleasure of witnessing the potential of India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem through our diverse range of supported startups. We’re proud to contribute to PM Modi’s dream of a ‘Viksit Bharat,’ and I believe our efforts will continue to attract investments and enhance the digital innovation in India.”

The incubation program spans 12 weeks and offers a wealth of benefits, including incubation and co-working facilities, technology and business mentoring, marketing, networking, and outreach. Participants gain access to national and international events for global exposure and collaboration with government grants and schemes.

Bangur Cement launches an innovative multimedia campaign inspiring citizens to Vote

BANGALORE| 19th April 2024: Bangur Cement unveiled a new multimedia campaign inspiring the citizens of the nation to exercise their right to vote. The campaign, ‘Vote Solid, Desh Solid’, highlights the importance of each individual’s vote in making the nation more solid. The campaign is innovative because it is a sequel to the previous brand launch campaign featuring popular Bollywood star Sunny Deol.

The key message of the campaign is ‘Vote Solid, Desh Solid.’ Just as Bangur Cement helps you build a solid home, you can help build a solid nation by exercising your right to vote.

Further, the brand encourages citizens to take a pledge to vote, through its “Vote ka Vachan” button on its website votekavachan.bangurcement.com. Bangur Cement has pledged to donate 1 KG of cement for every pledge to vote which would be used for social welfare purposes. Bangur Cement is tying up with relevant NGOs and Self Help Groups to help fulfill this pledge.

Speaking about the campaign, Mr Neeraj Akhoury, Managing Director, of Shree Cement, said, “Bangur Cement’s ‘Vote Solid Desh Solid’ campaign and the ‘Vote Ka Vachan’ pledge are a continued reflection of our commitment for building a progressive nation with inclusive growth through our brands, products and network.”

AI Is Changing the Landscape of Data Centers

A lot has been written about the way artificial intelligence is changing the way we live, work, and learn. It may also change the physical landscape around us.

That is because AI is set to spur the construction of new data centers, those large, warehouse-like facilities filled with servers that form the backbone of the internet.

The demand for AI and data center capacity is already apparent, with prices rising at existing data centers due to AI use. According to Data Bridge Market Research, the market for AI infrastructure is expected to hit $422 billion by 2029, growing at a compound annual rate of 44%.

“AI will stimulate additional data center use, expansion of current data centers, and creation of new data centers,” said 2024 IEEE President Tom Coughlin.

India is fast emerging as a data center hub with the explosion of data. Robust growth in data consumption has catapulted the industry to its current position. The current numbers and future estimates both are promising and look real going by the fledgling industry trend. Every digital interaction creates new data which is stored in Data Centers.

WHAT ARE DATA CENTERS?

A typical data center is about 100,000 square feet, which is a little bigger than an 81,000 square-foot soccer field, and a little smaller than two football fields, which total about 114,000 square feet. But the largest are more than 2 million square feet. Inside, they are filled with rows and rows of servers. Companies lease computing time and data storage to run their IT operations, their e-commerce sites and more. Every time you choose a movie on your favorite streaming service, that movie streams from a data center.

The facilities can use large quantities of water to keep the servers cool, so they tend to have large structures on the roof to act as chillers.

Then there are the energy sources. A data center can consume 10 to 50 times more energy per square foot than a comparable office building.

That has placed intense focus on the source of power used by facilities and their carbon footprint. Solar and wind power are frequently used, which means that in addition to a large warehouse, renewable energy facilities tend to be built nearby.

The pace of data center construction, and the related energy demands, have driven construction of new solar farms nearby, creating solar energy hotspots in some regions.

Because of their large physical footprint, energy demands, and water consumption, data centers have drawn some opposition over concerns that they are not sustainable. Operators of these facilities are under intense pressure to increase their sustainability.

WHERE ARE THE DATA CENTERS LOCATED?

Why are data centers built in some places and not others? The decision on where to build involves many factors.

The largest cluster of data centers in the world, located in Northern Virginia, has its roots in the 1990s when several giants of the early internet located there and built fiber optic networks. Data centers arrived later because of the large availability of fiber optic cable.

Today, communications infrastructure is just one of many factors data center operators consider when scouting new locations.

“Good high-performance communication infrastructure is important as is relatively low power costs and reliability of those power sources,” Coughlin said. “Thus, weather and climate can be important factors. Operators look at major events and ask, ‘Could this knock out power for a considerable period?’ Water for cooling is also important, as is the availability of an IT workforce.”

HOW MUCH ENERGY DOES AI USE?

AI processing is more intense than traditional computing because it relies on more data to make its outputs. As a result, it has higher energy requirements. The leading GPUs used for AI may consume as much as 700W of power, which is roughly equivalent to a microwave.

Coughlin notes that GPUs that consume twice as much energy may be available in the not-too-distant future. And because computing power generates heat, that will in turn drive greater use of liquid cooling to bring heat out of data centers.

From train tickets to airlines, from gas connections to local grocery stores to patient files, more data is generated every microsecond. The average consumer data consumption is ~ 37 GB per month in India according to the Ericsson’s data traffic outlook.

According to the report from DataReportals / Kepios Analysis, India’s data centers, accounting for 2% of the nation’s total power consumption, rely mainly on fossil fuels and pose a formidable environmental challenge with a substantial carbon footprint.

POWERING AI

The developers of the largest data centers, called hyperscalers, are acutely aware of the electricity needs of their facilities. Their reliance on wind and solar solves two challenges: it provides resiliency in the event of a local power outage.

“These organizations depend upon power,” Coughlin said. “Many of them have built their own solar power systems and even wind power systems. Some are planning modular nuclear power as part of their zero-carbon emission plans.”

In one recent trend, data centers have begun locating near other industrial facilities. That process takes advantage of wastewater used in industrial processes for cooling. As a result, some data centers have wastewater treatment facilities on premises.

​

Birla Carbon to participate at Chinaplas 2024

Shanghai, China -19th April 2024 Birla Carbon, one of the leading manufacturers and suppliers of high-quality carbon-based solutions, will participate in Chinaplas 2024 from April 23 to 26 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (NECC), Hongqiao, Shanghai, China. Birla Carbon will exhibit at Hall 8.2, Booth F53.

Birla Carbon is developing solutions for the plastics industry with a focus on reducing carbon footprint and promoting environmental responsibility. One of these initiatives is Continua™ Sustainable Carbonaceous Material (SCM), which exemplifies the company’s dedication to fostering a greener industry ecosystem. This initiative presents a definitive strategy for lowering carbon emissions and meets the growing needs of industries in pursuit of environmentally friendly options.

Some of the solutions on display at the Birla Carbon booth include –

· Raven 5100, Raven 2350, Raven 2800, Raven 2900, Raven 3000, and Continua™ SCM that highlight Birla Carbon’s commitment to technical leadership and adherence to global quality standards and sustainability.

· The Raven 5100 series is recognized for its excellence in high-color blacks, offering superior dispersion and color performance across diverse engineering plastics applications.

· The Nanocyl brand of Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNT) through NC7000™ for superior electrical conductivity across various polymers and PLASTICYL™, which is a highly conductive thermoplastic MWCNT.

· The Conductex series for electrostatic dissipation (ESD), power cable, and conductive coating applications will also be displayed.

“We are thrilled to be part of Chinaplas 2024, presenting our innovative, sustainable carbon-based products for the plastics sector,” expressed John Davidson, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer, Birla Carbon. He further added, “Our offerings, including Continua™ SCM, MWCNTs through the Nanocyl brand, Raven, and Conductex, provide our customers with sustainable solutions tailored to their specific needs. At Birla Carbon, our purpose to ‘Share the Strength’ is all about collaboration with our customers to develop innovative solutions that not only benefit their businesses but also drive progress within the entire industry.”

Chinaplas 2024 will allow Birla Carbon to showcase its innovative solutions for plastics and position itself as the global leader in the manufacture and supply of carbon-based solutions.

DS Group’s Catch Spices enters the INR 1000 Cr Club

New Delhi, 19th April 2024: Catch Spices, a core brand of Dharampal Satyapal Group (DS Group), a multi-business corporation and a leading FMCG conglomerate, has marked a significant leap in the packaged spice industry by announcing its entry into the INR 1000 crore club. Having achieved an impressive year-on-year growth rate of 24 percent in the last two years, Catch Spices remains optimistic about its growth prospects. With a strategic vision, it aims to bolster its presence targeting a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of approximately 30% over the upcoming five years.

Giving impetus to its aggressive expansion plans, through modern-format stores and e-commerce including quick commerce platforms, Catch Spices has diversified its vibrant portfolio by venturing into pastes, gourmet gravies, grinders, herbs, and pink rock salt, with several new product developments underway. Expanding reach and boosting growth will involve enhancing product offerings with a focus on digital-first products, and regionalization catering to local taste palates. Catch Spices is ambitiously strategizing to dominate the Indian kitchen space with differentiated products that bring purity, taste, and convenience as key drivers.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Rajiv Kumar, Vice Chairman, DS Group, said, “Our relentless pursuit of excellence and a consumer-centric approach enabled Catch Spices to achieve the significant milestone of being an INR 1000 crore brand. Today, Catch Spices has become synonymous with consistent quality and reliability. Our innate understanding of consumers’ diverse and evolving tastes has played a crucial role in refining our product offerings, and ensuring continued success.”

The Catch brand was introduced by DS Group in 1987 with the launch of a revolutionary table-top Salt sprinkler and the brand has since grown to encapsulate the very essence of cooking which ranges from straight spices to myriad blends and pastes and wholes; across nine categories with more than 125 variants and 300 SKUs. Today Catch products are available in more than 7 lakh retail touchpoints through more than 1500 distributors nationwide. Catch Salt and Spices reaches out to more than 2 crore households in India. With the changing consumer buying behavior, Catch Spices has thoroughly studied and capitalized on the evolving trends in modern trade, e-commerce including quick commerce to its advantage. Leveraging these platforms, the company has demonstrated exceptional growth, outperforming industry standards.

Catch Spices has always invested significantly in technology and research to acquire insights into consumer behavior and market trends. Despite challenges posed by regional competition and commodity rate fluctuations, the brand remains resilient and agile. As per the latest industry estimates, the packaged spices industry in India stood at approximately INR 34,000 crores in 2023 witnessing an 18% growth and a volume growth of 4% whereas Catch Spices outperformed this trend for the same period having grown by more than 23% while the volume growth was more than double that of the industry.

With prominent brand ambassadors such as Akshay Kumar, Bhumi Pednekar, and Kirti Kharbanda, the brand has garnered widespread acclaim for its campaign “Kyunki khana sirf Khana nahi hota.” This positioning of “Khana Sirf Khana Nahi Hota” highlights the thought that food encompasses many emotions – memories, bonds, tradition, and values, bringing the brand closer to a consumer’s daily life – beyond merely functional to an emotional connection. Leveraging the trends in the market, Catch Spices has increased its focus on digital marketing to cater to its consumers. The brand has also forged successful partnerships and initiatives to enhance market penetration, including co-promotion initiatives with consumer brands and trade loyalty programs.

Dialog, Axiata Group and Bharti Airtel sign Definitive Agreement to Merge Operations in Sri Lanka

19th April 2024 – Dialog Axiata PLC (“Dialog”), Axiata Group Berhad (“Axiata”), and Bharti Airtel Limited (“Bharti Airtel”) (collectively “the Parties”), signed a Definitive Agreement to combine their operations in Sri Lanka. Under this agreement, Dialog will acquire 100% of the issued shares in Airtel Lanka, in consideration of which Dialog will issue to Bharti Airtel, ordinary voting shares which will amount to 10.355% of the total issued shares of Dialog by way of a share swap. The transaction is subject to the approval of Dialog’s shareholders and is pending the completion of specific conditions outlined in the Share Sale Agreement, including clearance from the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) and completion of other applicable legal, corporate, and regulatory compliance procedures.

The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) has granted its approval for the proposed merger, underscoring its vision to advance the adoption of telecommunications services across Sri Lanka.

This consolidation will enable the merged entity to garner economies of scale and reduce duplication of infrastructure, achieve synergies in technology and capital expenditure leading to enhanced high-speed broadband connectivity, voice and value-added services, cost savings, and operational efficiencies.

Vivek Sood, Group CEO and Managing Director of Axiata Group Berhad said, “The merger between Dialog and Airtel Lanka is aligned to Axiata’s strategy of market consolidation and resilience. The merger will create value for Shareholders of Dialog Axiata PLC and of Axiata Group through achievable synergies. We have the utmost respect for Airtel Lanka and its employees and look forward to working together as we integrate the two companies”.

Commenting, Dr Hans Wijayasuriya, CEO of Telecommunications Business and Group Executive Director of Axiata, added “This merger brings together the strengths of two leading telco groups and bodes well for the Growth and Sustainability of Sri Lanka’s flagship Telecom Sector. We look forward to the new frontiers in Customer Experience and innovation the company will deliver to Sri Lankan Consumers and Enterprises.”

Gopal Vittal, MD & CEO – Bharti Airtel Limited said, “We are happy to merge our Sri Lanka operations with Dialog. Given the scale and unique propositions they offer, we are certain that our customers will continue to enjoy cutting edge services on a seamless network.”

“It is a privilege to welcome the team at Airtel Lanka to the Dialog family and together we take a significant step forward in our commitment to delivering superior telecommunications services in Sri Lanka”, remarked Supun Weerasinghe, Director / Group Chief Executive Officer of Dialog Axiata PLC.

“The integration of Dialog and Airtel Lanka operations will unlock new opportunities for innovation and growth, and this will lead to benefit consumers.” Ashish Chandra, Chief Executive Officer, Bharti Airtel Lanka (Private) Limited.