Coca-Cola SLMG Appoints Costin Mandrea as CEO

Mumbai, 28th March 2024: SLMG Group, India’s largest independent bottler of Coca-Cola in India and SouthWest Asia, today announced the appointment of Costin Mandrea as Chief Executive Officer of Coca-Cola SLMG operations. With more than 25 years of rich experience in the beverage industry, Mr Mandrea brings a wealth of expertise and strategic vision to his new role.

Costin Mandrea has held key leadership positions at Coca-Cola Bottling System in Western and Central Europe, Russia, and Japan, where he demonstrated expertise in driving business growth through company-wide transformation, sales force operations, customer engagement, and route-to-market strategies.

Commenting on the appointment, S N Ladhani, Chairman and Managing Director, Coca-Cola SLMG said, “With great pleasure, we welcome Costin Mandrea aboard as the CEO of SLMG Group. His proven track record of leadership and strategic acumen makes him a perfect fit to lead our company into its next phase of expansion and success. ‘’ Amidst our accelerated growth phase at SLMG Group, we firmly believe Costin to be the perfect leader to navigate us towards unprecedented success. With his proven track record and dynamic approach, we are poised to achieve remarkable milestones under his guidance, added Mr. Ladhani.

Upon his appointment, Mr. Mandrea remarked, “I am honored and excited to join Coca-Cola SLMG as its Chief Executive Officer. I look forward to collaborating with the talented team and leveraging my experience to drive innovation and growth for the company.’’

Mr. Mandrea holds a degree from the University of Bucharest and has participated in numerous leadership development programs throughout his career. His tenure at Coca-Cola has been marked by successful transformation initiatives and strategic leadership roles, contributing significantly to the company’s profitability and market presence.

Coca-Cola SLMG extends its warmest congratulations to Mr. Costin Mandrea on his appointment as Chief Executive Officer and looks forward to achieving new milestones under his leadership.

Housing Sales in 7 Cities Record 14% Yearly Rise in Q1 2024

Mumbai 28th March 2024: The bull run in the Indian housing market continued in the first quarter of the year. Quarterly housing sales are at an all-time decadal high with approx. 1,30,170 units sold in Q1 2024 across the top 7 cities, reveals the latest ANAROCK data. This is a 14% yearly rise against approx. 1,13,775 units sold back in Q1 2023.

Anuj Puri, Chairman – ANAROCK Group, says “MMR and Pune accounted for over 51% of the total sales in the top 7 cities, with MMR recording a 24% yearly jump and Pune witnessing an over 15% yearly rise. New launches across the top 7 cities continued above the one lakh mark but witnessed a mere 1% yearly rise – from 1,09,570 units in Q1 2023 to over 1,10,865 units in Q1 2024.”

“Notably, MMR and Hyderabad saw the maximum new supply, accounting for 51% of the total new launches across the top 7 cities,” says Puri. “Hyderabad saw a 57% yearly increase in new supply in Q1 2024, while MMR saw its new supply decline by 9% in the period. The quarter has recorded the highest ever sales in the last decade amid a significant rise in demand for high-ticket priced homes priced INR 1.5 Cr and above.”

Despite new launches remaining above the 1 lakh mark in this quarter, available inventory in the top 7 cities dropped by 7% annually – from approx. 6,26,750 units by Q1 2023-end to approx. 5,80,890 units by Q1 2024-end. Among the top cities, NCR saw highest decline of 27% in its unsold stock in Q1 2024. NCR’s unsold stock is currently lower than in other prominent cities like MMR, Pune, and Hyderabad.

India’s overall economic scenario remains positive, with the country’s GDP growth rate pegged as the highest globally, and inflation also seems to be under control. This outlook supports enduring homebuyer sentiment.

The top 7 cities recorded new launches of around 1,10,865 units in Q1 2024 against 1,09,570 units in Q1 2023, increasing by just 1% over the previous year’s corresponding period. The key cities contributing to new launches in Q1 2024 were MMR (Mumbai Metropolitan Region), Hyderabad, Pune, and Bengaluru, which together accounted for 83% of the quarter’s supply addition.

MMR saw approx. 33,800 units launched in Q1 2024 – a decline of approx. 9% over Q1 2023. More than 59% of the new supply was added in the sub-INR 80 lakh budget segment.

Hyderabad added approx. 22,960 units in Q1 2024 – a yearly jump of 57% over the corresponding period last year. Over 33% of the new supply was added in the high-ticket >INR 1.5 Cr) price segment.

Pune added approx. 18,770 new units in Q1 2024 compared to 19,420 units in Q1 2023 – a decrease of 3%.

Bengaluru added approx. 16,485 units in Q1 2024 – a yearly increase of 22%. Approx. 66% of the new supply was in the mid-range and premium segments (INR 40 lakh – INR 1.5 Cr.)

NCR saw new supply dip by over 42% against Q1 2023, with approx. 7,270 units launched in Q1 2024 against 12,450 units in Q1 2023. Notably, 55% of the new supply was added in the ultra-luxury segment (homes priced >INR 2.5 Cr.)

Chennai added approx. 7,290 units in Q1 2024, a yearly increase of 14% over Q1 2023. At least 87% of the new supply was in the mid and premium segments (priced within INR 40 lakh to INR 1.5 Cr)

Kolkata added approx. 4,290 units in Q1 2024, a decline of 27% over Q1 2023. Approx. 90% of the new supply was in the affordable and mid segments (priced up to INR 80 lakh.)

Source: ANAROCK Research

Overall Sales Overview

Approx. 1,30,170 units were sold in Q1 2024 – an increase of 14% over Q1 2023. NCR, MMR, Bengaluru, Pune, and Hyderabad together accounted for 91% of sales in the quarter.

• MMR saw the highest housing sales of approx. 42,920 units in Q1 2024, increasing by 24% over Q1 2023. Approx. 34,690 units were sold in Q1 2023
• Pune saw approx. 22,990 units sold in Q1 2024, increasing by 15% over Q1 2023 when approx. 19,920 units were sold
• Hyderabad recorded the sale of approx. 19,660 units in Q1 2024, a 38% increase over Q1 2023 when approx. 14,280 units were sold
• NCR saw a 9% decline in housing sales – from approx. 17,160 units in Q1 2023 to approx. 15,650 units in Q1 2024.
• Kolkata also saw a decline of 9% in housing sales in the period – from approx. 6,185 units in Q1 2023 to approx. 5,650 units in Q1 2024.
• Bengaluru saw housing sales increase by 14% in Q1 2024 against Q1 2023, with approx. 17,790 units sold in Q1 2024 and approx. 15,660 units sold back in same period last year
• Chennai saw approx. 5,510 units sold in Q1 2024 – a decline of 6% over Q1 2023, at least partially attributable to factors like the introduction of Tamil Nadu government’s three-tier guideline values for apartment complexes in late 2023, and high stamp duty and registration charges.

Source: ANAROCK Research

Price Movement

Average residential property prices across the top 7 cities have seen significant jump in the last one year – ranging between 10-32% in Q1 2024 when compared to Q1 2023, mainly due to increase in the prices of construction raw materials and an overall rise in demand. Hyderabad and Bengaluru recorded the highest annual price jump of over 32% and 25%, respectively.

Available Inventory

Despite massive new supply added to the top 7 cities in Q1 2024, overall available inventory declined by 7% in Q1 2024 when compared to Q1 2023. The total available inventory in the top 7 cities as of Q1 2024-end stands at approx. 5.81 lakh units. At 27%, NCR witnessed the highest reduction in available inventory in Q1 2024 when compared to Q1 2023.

Oriola partners with HCLTech to enhance customer experience through digital transformation

ESPOO, Finland and NOIDA, India,28th March 2024 HCLTech, a global technology company, announced that it has been selected by Oriola Corporation, a leading health and wellbeing company operating in the Nordic region, to accelerate Oriola’s digital transformation journey and deliver enhanced customer experiences.

HCLTech will implement a greenfield SAP S/4HANA and analytics environment hosted on Microsoft Azure to transform Oriola’s enterprise resource planning (ERP) and enterprise warehouse management (EWM) systems in Sweden and Finland.

The solution will leverage RISE with SAP delivering an end-to-end global experience platform (GxP)-compliant and validated solution for Oriola. Moving to an agile, cloud-based ERP platform will allow Oriola to transform and simplify their business operations, enabling them to modernize the application stack and optimize IT operating costs.

“This strategically important project will allow Oriola to better respond to future customer and business needs, strengthen collaboration across the company, improve transparency and support managing the business in a cross-market operating model. Through a common system, we will strengthen our processes and have access to common data, both of which will support us in serving our customers better,” said Mikael Nurmi, Chief Digital Officer, Oriola.

“We look forward to accelerating Oriola’s business transformation with our strong partnership with SAP and innovative product engineering capabilities,” said Pankaj Tagra, Corporate Vice President, Europe and Africa, HCLTech. “We are delighted to participate in Oriola’s journey to becoming a forerunner in the advanced distribution of pharmaceuticals and in providing advisory services to pharmaceutical companies throughout product lifecycles, while further growing our business in the Nordics region and across the life sciences and pharma sector globally.”

HCLTech is an SAP Global Strategic Services Partner with over 25 years of experience in leading complex SAP transformation programs. HCLTech’s SAP consultant base has now grown to over 10,000 globally, with local offices and consultants across the Americas, Europe, Asia and Africa.

Zoom Beyond Limits with the NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR

New Delhi, 28th March 2024  Nikon India Pvt. Ltd. has introduced the NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR, first-in-its-class1, approx. 14.2x zoom lens covering super-telephoto 400mm that achieves a wide shooting range with an excellent agility factor, covering any scene or situation.

“The NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR lens stands as a testament to Nikon’s commitment to innovation and versatility. With its compact, lightweight design, advanced autofocus capabilities, and exceptional image quality, it proves to be a formidable tool for photographers and videographers alike. Whether capturing distant landscapes, fast-moving sports or wildlife, or intricate close-up details, the NIKKOR Z 28-400MM F/4-8 VR empowers creators to unleash their creativity and capture every moment with precision.” said Mr. Sajjan Kumar, Managing Director, Nikon India Pvt. Ltd.

NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR PRIMARY FEATURES

First Z mount Zoom Lens with Approx. 14.2x zoom To Cover a Super-telephoto 400mm Focal Length

Enjoy the convenience of shooting handheld with the NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR, Nikon’s latest super-telephoto high-magnification zoom lens that enables capturing a wide range of focal length, from 28mm wide angle to 400mm. Users can expect to explore the unreachable and capture the unseen, conquering distance, and empowering handheld photography with just a single lens.

A roller coaster with trees and a blue sky

Description automatically generated A football player lying on the ground with a football ball

Description automatically generated

Capture Anywhere at Anytime

Despite its impressive high magnification zoom, the NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR packs a punch with a remarkably compact and lightweight design. This translates to effortless handheld shooting, perfect for capturing fleeting moments on the go, whether you’re on the move or capturing thrilling moments. Users can travel light and shoot steadily, as the compact lens slips easily into the camera bag for convenient carrying.

Reliable Features That Support a Wide Range of Situations

The NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR boasts impressive versatility despite its super-telephoto zoom, making it a reliable lens that supports a wide range of situations. Get up close and personal with subjects thanks to its minimal focusing distance of 0.2m at the wide-angle end, ideal for capturing intricate details, like your favourite food on a restaurant table or macro shots. In addition, the 1.2m minimum focusing distance at the telephoto end extends to portraits at longer zoom settings, allowing you to achieve beautiful background blur for impactful compositions.

In addition, the NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR lens boasts a built-in optical vibration reduction (VR) mechanism, effective for up to 5.0 stops3, ensuring sharp images in low-light conditions and when using super-telephoto zoom. This can be further enhanced to 5.5 stops with the Synchro VR4 feature, combining in-camera and lens VR for even steadier shots.

For fast-moving subjects, the lens uses a stepping motor (STM) for quick and precise autofocus. It is also dust and drip-resistant5, making it suitable for shooting in unpredictable weather.

Designed with video recording in mind, the lens minimizes focus-breathing and offers linear manual focus for precise control during video shooting.

Exterior Design

The exterior design of the lens inherits the style of the 2nd-generation Z lenses, resulting in a professional and sleek appearance. It features a compact square lens hood, ensuring comfortable usability. When attached inverted, the hood provides excellent storage while maintaining good optical performance. Additionally, the ergonomic design, compact and lightweight construction ensure comfort during extended use.

Sterlite Power and GIC announce joint venture to create a power transmission platform in India

Mumbai,28th March 2024 – Sterlite Power, one of India’s leading private power transmission developers, and an affiliate of GIC has announced the signing of definitive agreements to set up a new platform to develop and operate power transmission projects in India. Sterlite Power will own the majority stake of 51% and GIC will own the remaining 49% stake.

Commenting on the JV, Mr. Pratik Agarwal, Managing Director, Sterlite Power, said “India’s renewable vision calls for investments in transmission to unlock the full potential of 500 GW of renewable power. This joint venture signals global confidence in India’s growth vision. With GIC as our partner, we are poised to play a leading role in India’s transmission sector, starting with the USD 13 billion bid pipeline. We stay committed to building world class assets and empowering humanity by addressing the toughest challenges of clean energy delivery.”

Mr. Ang Eng Seng, Chief Investment Officer of Infrastructure at GIC, said, “We are pleased to partner with Sterlite Power, a leading transmission infrastructure developer and operator, to support India’s energy transition ambitions. We believe transmission infrastructure will play a crucial role in facilitating the growth of renewable energy supply to sustainably meet the increasing power demand in the country. India is a key long-term market for GIC given its strong economic fundamentals and favourable demographics, which are spurring opportunities in many sectors including infrastructure development.”

Sterlite Power was advised by Deutsche Bank, AZB Partners, and Khaitan & Co. GIC was advised by Avener Capital, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co., and PWC.

Shielding Your Digital Fort: India’s Leading 5 Cybersecurity Guardians

In an era where digital threats loom large, safeguarding our digital fortresses has become paramount. With cyberattacks on the rise, it’s essential to enlist the help of trusted cybersecurity guardians who can protect our digital assets with vigilance and expertise. In India, several cybersecurity organizations stand out for their commitment to fortifying our digital defenses and ensuring a secure digital landscape. Join us as we explore the leading five cybersecurity guardians in India, each dedicated to shielding our digital fort and preserving our online safety.

Noventiq

Noventiq is a leading global digital transformation and cybersecurity solutions and services provider. Headquartered in London and extending its reach to 60 countries, with a strong presence in India as well as other markets from the Latin America, EMEA, and APAC regions, Noventiq offers its 6,400 employees unparalleled opportunities for innovation, learning, career development, and personal & professional growth. The company stands out for connecting over 80,000 organizations with top-tier IT solutions and services, emphasizing a culture where every team member is empowered to contribute to cutting-edge projects. Noventiq is dedicated to nurturing talent and fostering an environment that values creativity and technological leadership, making it an exceptional place to work for those eager to influence the future of digital business landscapes.

Quick Heal Technologies Limited

Quick Heal Technologies Ltd. is a global cybersecurity solutions provider. Its products are designed to manage IT security better across a wide range of platforms and devices. Its solutions can be tailored to fit the needs of consumers, small companies, governmental organizations, and corporate houses. The brand has spent 27 years concentrating its R&D on computer and network security solutions. Its current array of powerful machine learning-enabled solutions for cloud-based security thwarts threats, attacks, and malicious traffic before they happen.

Barracuda

Barracuda strives to make the world a safer place by delivering access to cloud-first, enterprise-grade security solutions that are easy to buy, deploy, and use. It protects email, networks, data, and applications with innovative solutions that grow and adapt to our customer’s journey. More than 200,000 organizations worldwide trust Barracuda.

SCS Tech

SCS Tech specializes in creating and managing optimum security solutions that are in line with clients’ requirements. The organisation strives to enhance network and system security through ongoing inspections, keeping in mind that cybersecurity is the cornerstone of any business. It believes that a company’s security posture must be considered from the outset and go beyond mere prevention. With this perspective, the company monitors, detects, and responds to security problems with 24/7 rapid response and remediation services.

Arete

Working on the front lines of thousands of ransomware attacks and some of the largest nation-state attacks, Arete combines hundreds of investigative, technical, and cyber risk management practitioners with data and software engineers. They bring a relentless passion for innovation and a commitment to stopping cybercrimes to positively impact the collective defense of businesses, governments, and infrastructure from cyber criminals and give back to the communities they serve. They leverage the intelligence and lessons from their breach investigations to help law enforcement, non-profit agencies, and governments to be more effective in their efforts to combat cybercrime.

As we conclude our journey through India’s leading cybersecurity guardians, it’s evident that the digital landscape is fortified by their unwavering dedication and expertise. In a world where cyber threats continue to evolve, these guardians stand as pillars of strength, ensuring that our digital fortresses remain secure against the ever-present dangers of the digital realm. By enlisting the help of these cybersecurity champions, businesses and individuals alike can navigate the digital landscape with confidence, knowing that their digital assets are protected by the best in the industry. As we move forward, let us continue to prioritize cybersecurity and collaborate with these guardians to safeguard our digital future.

SINGER India Launches “SINGER LIVE ASSIST” to enhance Customer Support

28th March 2024, India: Singer India Limited, India’s leading manufacturer of sewing machines and home appliances, announced the launch of Singer Live Assist, a customer support service for existing and new sewing machine customers. The service, the first of its kind, will provide real-time, virtual, face-to-face support for customers from the comfort of their homes. With a proud legacy of over 170 years, this is an initiative from the company that is committed to setting new standards in customer satisfaction by utilizing technology to provide live resolution and demonstration.

Singer’s Live Assist offers a significant advantage, especially for customers located remotely. This service is designed to efficiently address their concerns, providing timely assistance at their convenience. Also, it caters to all new buyers, by providing resolution to queries and giving live online demonstrations of the sewing machine. Additionally, for those requiring further assistance, a complimentary home demonstration is also available upon the purchase of every Singer sewing machine.

Accessible every day from 10 AM to 7 PM except national holidays, Singer Live Assist offers customers prompt and complimentary solutions including product demonstrations for Singer sewing machines tailored to meet the needs of a diverse customer base. Customers can book this service through Singer’s existing toll-free number 1800-103-3474 and can interact with the service experts.

Singer India has recently been felicitated with the ‘Best use of Technology in Enhancing Customer Experience’ award at the 3rd Annual CX Excellence Awards 2024, Delhi, organized by Quantic India & SAP for Singer Live Assist.

Rakesh Khanna, Managing Director, and Vice Chairman of Singer India said, “We’re truly excited to lead the way in offering a tech-driven solution for a timeless industry that’s now evolving in new directions. Sewing machine is an engineering marvel yet it can be intimidating to understand and operate. That’s why we have created a solution that simplifies machine comprehension and troubleshooting for our customers. Our latest service breaks down the complexities of machine operation into easy-to-follow steps. By doing so, I am confident that our approach streamlines the process of resolving customer queries and complaints that saves time and ultimately enhancing their overall experience.”

Transforming Challenges into Opportunities: Upskilling in the Face of IT Industry Layoffs

Amidst the shifting sands of the IT industry, where layoffs cast shadows of uncertainty, lies a beacon of opportunity. Now, more than ever is the perfect moment for tech professionals to seize the reins of their destiny, to reskill and upskill in preparation for the challenges and triumphs that lie ahead.

In recent times, the IT industry has witnessed a wave of layoffs, prompting individuals to reassess their career trajectories. Yet, in the face of adversity, lies the potential for transformation. This juncture serves as a clarion call for tech enthusiasts to invest in themselves, hone their skills, and emerge stronger and more resilient.

Reskilling and upskilling are not merely buzzwords; they represent pathways to empowerment and success. With the rapid evolution of technology, the demand for new skills is incessant. By embracing this ethos of continuous learning, tech professionals can future-proof their careers and unlock a world of opportunities.

About the same, Mr Dhriti Prasanna Mahanta, Vice President & Business Head, TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship can share insights on the following points:

• · Discuss the prevailing situation in the IT industry, highlighting the challenges posed by layoffs and the resulting uncertainty among professionals.
• · Emphasize how layoffs can catalyze personal and professional growth, presenting an opportunity for individuals to reassess their career paths and take proactive steps toward self-improvement.
• · Highlight the significance of reskilling and upskilling in staying relevant in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.
• · Explain how acquiring new skills can enhance employability, broaden career prospects, and future-proof one’s career.

KW Delhi 6 Mall Unveils New Brands to Enhance Shopping and Dining Experience

Ghaziabad (Uttar Pradesh),28th March 2024 : KW Group’s Delhi 6 Mall, the latest commercial venture in Raj Nagar Extension, Ghaziabad, has announced the addition of renowned brands to its retail portfolio, including the esteemed beauty salon Jawed Habib and the popular lifestyle brand Frozen Bottle known for its exceptional frozen drinks.

KW Delhi 6 Mall is rapidly establishing itself as a prominent shopping and dining destination in Ghaziabad, with 85+ national and international brands opening stores within the past year. This expansion includes well-known names such as the global footwear giant Skechers, Smash, Samsung, the internationally acclaimed fashion brand Giordano, ethnic and traditional wear outlet Meena Bazar, and Sugar Cosmetics.

“With significant developments in infrastructure and real estate in the Raj Nagar Extension area KW Delhi 6 Mall continues to evolve and flourish, we are dedicated to offering our patrons an unparalleled shopping and leisure experience to our customers across all age groups in its vicinity,” says Mr. Pankaj Kumar Jain, Director of KW Group.

Delhi 6 Mall also offers exceptional recreational facilities such as a gaming arcade and a food court, ensuring that visitors can enjoy entertainment and relaxation, making it an ideal destination for families and individuals alike.