Innovative leadership & sustainable growth: A deep dive into Avanish Singh Visen’s vision for glass
APPL CEO In Conversation With GB On Navigating Market Shifts, Innovating For The Future From his strategic vision to leadership style, Avanish Singh Visen shares his insights for success in glass manufacturing and long-term plans for Ajay Poly Pvt Ltd.
APPL CEO In Conversation With GB On Navigating Market Shifts, Innovating For The Future
From his strategic vision to leadership style, Avanish Singh Visen shares his insights for success in glass manufacturing and long-term plans for Ajay Poly Pvt Ltd.
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Interview<br />
MR. <strong>Avanish</strong> <strong>Singh</strong> Visen<br />
CEO & Director, Ajay Poly Pvt Ltd.<br />
<strong>Innovative</strong> <strong>leadership</strong> &<br />
<strong>sustainable</strong> <strong>growth</strong>: A <strong>deep</strong><br />
<strong>dive</strong> <strong>into</strong> <strong>Avanish</strong> <strong>Singh</strong><br />
<strong>Visen’s</strong> <strong>vision</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>glass</strong><br />
64 Glass Bulletin | April - June, 2024
Interview • 2<br />
APPL CEO In Conversation With GB On Navigating Market<br />
Shifts, Innovating For The Future<br />
From his strategic <strong>vision</strong> to <strong>leadership</strong> style, <strong>Avanish</strong> <strong>Singh</strong> Visen shares his insights <strong>for</strong><br />
success in <strong>glass</strong> manufacturing and long-term plans <strong>for</strong> Ajay Poly Pvt Ltd.<br />
A<br />
seasoned leader in the <strong>glass</strong><br />
manufacturing industry with<br />
substantial experience, Mr<br />
<strong>Avanish</strong> <strong>Singh</strong> Visen has navigated<br />
Ajay Poly through dynamic<br />
market shifts and technological<br />
advancements. His insights offer<br />
a profound understanding of<br />
innovation, sustainability and market<br />
competitiveness.<br />
In this interview with Glass<br />
Bulletin, we explore APPL’s trajectory<br />
and strategic direction under the<br />
<strong>leadership</strong> of Mr Visen.<br />
Excerpts from the conversation:<br />
– How has the market evolved over<br />
the last 5 years, and what key trends<br />
have you observed? What is your<br />
<strong>leadership</strong> style?<br />
Over the past five years, the <strong>glass</strong><br />
manufacturing market has witnessed<br />
significant evolution driven by<br />
technological advancements,<br />
changing consumer preferences,<br />
and sustainability concerns. Key<br />
trends that have emerged include<br />
growing demand <strong>for</strong> energyefficient<br />
and smart <strong>glass</strong> solutions,<br />
increased emphasis on <strong>sustainable</strong><br />
manufacturing practices, rising<br />
adoption of speciality <strong>glass</strong> in<br />
various industries, and expanding<br />
applications of <strong>glass</strong> in sectors<br />
such as automotive, construction,<br />
and electronics. Additionally, there<br />
has been a notable shift towards<br />
customisation and personalisation,<br />
with customers seeking unique<br />
and tailored <strong>glass</strong> products to meet<br />
their specific needs and aesthetic<br />
preferences.<br />
As a leader within the company, my<br />
<strong>leadership</strong> style is characterised by<br />
a combination of <strong>vision</strong>ary thinking,<br />
strategic planning and empowering<br />
others to excel. I believe in setting<br />
a clear <strong>vision</strong> and direction <strong>for</strong> the<br />
company while also fostering a<br />
culture of innovation, collaboration,<br />
and continuous improvement. By<br />
encouraging open communication,<br />
valuing <strong>dive</strong>rse perspectives, and<br />
empowering employees to take<br />
ownership of their work, I strive<br />
to create a dynamic and inclusive<br />
work environment where everyone<br />
feels motivated and supported to<br />
contribute their best.<br />
Moreover, I place a strong emphasis<br />
on integrity, agility, heart-to-heart<br />
relationships, fast response to the<br />
market, accountability, and ethical<br />
conduct, ensuring that business<br />
practices align with our core values<br />
and principles. By leading by example<br />
and fostering a culture of excellence,<br />
I aim to drive the company’s success<br />
and sustain its long-term <strong>growth</strong> in a<br />
rapidly evolving market landscape.<br />
– Where does your company stand<br />
in terms of market share and<br />
competitiveness, and how does it<br />
distinguish itself from competitors?<br />
Our company holds a significant<br />
market share within the appliance<br />
<strong>glass</strong> manufacturing industry, owing<br />
to our commitment to excellence,<br />
innovation, and customer satisfaction.<br />
We maintain a competitive edge<br />
by continually investing in research<br />
and development to develop<br />
cutting-edge <strong>glass</strong> solutions that<br />
address emerging market needs and<br />
challenges. Moreover, our customercentric<br />
approach, coupled with a<br />
focus on operational efficiency and<br />
sustainability, distinguishes us from<br />
competitors, allowing us to deliver<br />
superior value to our customers and<br />
maintain a strong position in the<br />
market.<br />
By leveraging our extensive<br />
expertise, state-of-the-art<br />
manufacturing facilities and a<br />
dedicated team of professionals,<br />
we consistently exceed customer<br />
expectations and set industry<br />
benchmarks <strong>for</strong> quality, reliability,<br />
and innovation. Our emphasis on<br />
continuous improvement, coupled<br />
with a proactive approach to market<br />
trends and customer feedback,<br />
enables us to adapt swiftly to<br />
changing market dynamics and<br />
maintain our competitive advantage<br />
in the rapidly evolving <strong>glass</strong><br />
manufacturing landscape.<br />
– What are the long-term goals <strong>for</strong><br />
the company, and how do you plan<br />
to achieve them, including targeting<br />
specific markets or segments <strong>for</strong><br />
<strong>growth</strong> and sustainability?<br />
The long-term goals encompass<br />
<strong>sustainable</strong> <strong>growth</strong>, innovation,<br />
market <strong>dive</strong>rsification, global<br />
expansion, and operational<br />
excellence. To achieve these<br />
objectives, we have plans to invest<br />
in research and development, <strong>for</strong>m<br />
strategic partnerships, adopt a<br />
customer-centric approach, invest in<br />
talent development, and implement<br />
sustainability initiatives across the<br />
organisation.<br />
Additionally, we have planned to<br />
focus on market segmentation and<br />
targeting, exploring inorganic <strong>growth</strong><br />
opportunities through mergers<br />
and acquisitions, and establishing<br />
robust per<strong>for</strong>mance monitoring<br />
mechanisms to ensure agility and<br />
adaptability in response to evolving<br />
market dynamics. Through these<br />
strategic initiatives, we aim to solidify<br />
our position as a leader in the <strong>glass</strong><br />
manufacturing industry while driving<br />
long-term value <strong>for</strong> stakeholders.<br />
– Can you describe the infrastructure<br />
of your company, focusing on<br />
manufacturing, research and<br />
development, and logistics?<br />
Manufacturing Infrastructure:<br />
- Production Facilities: We operate<br />
state-of-the-art manufacturing<br />
plants equipped with specialised<br />
machinery <strong>for</strong> <strong>glass</strong> processing,<br />
shaping, tempering, printing, and<br />
finishing processes. Our plants are<br />
strategically located in the north, west<br />
and southern parts of India.<br />
Glass Bulletin | April - June, 2024<br />
65
Interview<br />
- Quality Control Labs: Integrated<br />
quality control labs are strategically<br />
positioned within manufacturing<br />
facilities to ensure adherence to<br />
stringent quality standards at every<br />
stage of production.<br />
- Safety Measures: Our<br />
manufacturing plants are equipped<br />
with advanced safety systems and<br />
protocols to ensure the well-being<br />
of employees and the protection of<br />
equipment.<br />
Research and Development<br />
Infrastructure:<br />
- R&D centres: We maintain<br />
dedicated research and<br />
development centres staffed with<br />
highly skilled scientists, engineers,<br />
and technicians.<br />
- Testing facilities: Our centres<br />
are equipped with advanced testing<br />
equipment and simulation tools<br />
to research <strong>glass</strong> compositions,<br />
properties, and manufacturing<br />
processes.<br />
- Collaborative spaces: Our<br />
collaborative spaces facilitate crossfunctional<br />
collaboration among R&D<br />
teams, fostering innovation and the<br />
development of cutting-edge <strong>glass</strong><br />
products.<br />
Logistics Infrastructure:<br />
- Distribution centres: Our<br />
strategically located distribution<br />
centres/manufacturing facilities<br />
facilitate storage and distribution of<br />
finished <strong>glass</strong> products to respective<br />
regional customers.<br />
- Transportation fleet: We<br />
maintain a <strong>dive</strong>rse fleet of vehicles,<br />
including trucks and specialised<br />
carriers, to ensure timely delivery of<br />
products to customers.<br />
- Supply chain management<br />
systems: Our advanced supply chain<br />
management systems integrate<br />
logistics operations with production<br />
planning, inventory management,<br />
and customer order fulfilment<br />
processes.<br />
- Warehousing facilities: Our<br />
modern warehousing facilities<br />
provide ample storage space <strong>for</strong> raw<br />
materials, semi-finished products,<br />
and finished goods, optimising<br />
inventory management and order<br />
fulfilment processes.<br />
“<br />
My <strong>leadership</strong> style<br />
is characterised by a<br />
combination of <strong>vision</strong>ary<br />
thinking, strategic planning<br />
and empowering others to<br />
excel. I believe in setting a<br />
clear <strong>vision</strong> and direction<br />
<strong>for</strong> the company while<br />
also fostering a culture of<br />
innovation, collaboration,<br />
and continuous<br />
improvement.<br />
“<br />
Overall, the infrastructure of our<br />
company is designed to support<br />
efficient manufacturing operations,<br />
drive innovation through research<br />
and development, and ensure<br />
seamless logistics and supply chain<br />
management to meet customer<br />
demands effectively.<br />
– What steps has your company<br />
taken to ensure quality control and<br />
efficiency in production?<br />
Here’s a brief overview of the steps<br />
we have in place to ensure quality<br />
control and efficiency in production:<br />
- Standardised processes: We<br />
have implemented standardised<br />
production processes to maintain<br />
consistency and quality across the<br />
production line.<br />
- Quality assurance protocols: Our<br />
rigorous quality assurance protocols,<br />
including regular inspections and<br />
testing, ensure that products meet<br />
specified quality standards.<br />
- Employee training: We invest<br />
time and money in employee training<br />
and skill development to ensure<br />
workers are proficient in their tasks<br />
and can identify and address quality<br />
issues promptly.<br />
- Continuous improvement:<br />
We place special emphasis on<br />
continuous improvement and<br />
encourage our employees to identify<br />
inefficiencies and propose solutions<br />
to streamline production processes.<br />
- Utilisation of technology:<br />
We have incorporated advanced<br />
technologies such as automation,<br />
AI and data analytics to optimise<br />
production efficiency and enhance<br />
quality control.<br />
- Supplier quality management:<br />
We have implemented robust<br />
supplier quality management<br />
systems to ensure that raw materials<br />
and components meet required<br />
standards, preventing defects in the<br />
final product.<br />
- Feedback loops: We have<br />
established feedback loops<br />
from customers, employees, and<br />
stakeholders which help us identify<br />
areas <strong>for</strong> improvement and ensure<br />
that production processes align with<br />
customer expectations.<br />
– In terms of supply chain, what<br />
strategies has your company<br />
implemented to mitigate risks<br />
and ensure the timely delivery of<br />
products?<br />
- Diversification of suppliers:<br />
We avoid over-reliance on a single<br />
supplier by <strong>dive</strong>rsifying our supplier<br />
base to reduce the risk if one<br />
supplier faces issues like production<br />
halts, natural disasters, or financial<br />
problems.<br />
- Inventory management:<br />
Implementing robust inventory<br />
management strategies such as<br />
safety stock, just-in-time (JIT)<br />
inventory systems, or strategic<br />
stockpiling help us buffer against<br />
supply chain disruptions.<br />
- Supplier relationships: Building<br />
strong relationships with key<br />
suppliers ensures better reliability<br />
and more flexibility in handling<br />
urgent demands or unexpected<br />
changes.<br />
- Supply chain visibility: Enhancing<br />
visibility across the entire supply<br />
chain helps in identifying potential<br />
issues early and addressing them<br />
proactively.<br />
- Risk assessment and<br />
management: Regularly conducting<br />
risk assessments to identify<br />
vulnerabilities in the supply chain is<br />
vital.<br />
66 Glass Bulletin | April - June, 2024
Interview • 4<br />
- Responsive logistics: Employing<br />
a flexible logistics strategy that<br />
includes multiple transportation<br />
options and routes to safeguard<br />
against disruptions.<br />
- Technological integration:<br />
Employing technologies such as IoT,<br />
AI and blockchain enhance supply<br />
chain efficiency and transparency.<br />
- Regular per<strong>for</strong>mance review:<br />
Continuously monitoring the<br />
per<strong>for</strong>mance of the supply chain<br />
and conducting regular reviews<br />
enable adjustments to strategies<br />
in response to new risks and<br />
inefficiencies.<br />
– What has been the most rewarding<br />
aspect of leading your company in the<br />
<strong>glass</strong> processing industry?<br />
- Innovation and development:<br />
Being at the <strong>for</strong>efront of<br />
technological advances in <strong>glass</strong><br />
processing is immensely rewarding.<br />
We are always at the <strong>for</strong>efront of<br />
developing new, more efficient<br />
methods of <strong>glass</strong> production,<br />
improving the quality of the <strong>glass</strong>,<br />
or inventing new types of <strong>glass</strong><br />
<strong>for</strong> various applications <strong>for</strong> home<br />
appliances.<br />
- Sustainability ef<strong>for</strong>ts: We take<br />
pride in driving the industry towards<br />
more <strong>sustainable</strong> practices like<br />
implementing recycling programs,<br />
reducing energy consumption, or<br />
innovating eco-friendly materials<br />
and processes that decrease the<br />
environmental impact of <strong>glass</strong><br />
production.<br />
- Economic impact: We always<br />
contribute to the economy not just<br />
through the direct employment<br />
of workers, but also through the<br />
broader economic activities that<br />
the industry supports, including<br />
construction, automotive,<br />
technology, and more.<br />
- Client solutions: We are always<br />
solving client problems with<br />
customised solutions. Whether<br />
it’s delivering <strong>glass</strong> that enhances<br />
architectural beauty or meets<br />
specific technical requirements, the<br />
ability to meet and exceed client<br />
expectations can be very fulfilling.<br />
- Team building and <strong>leadership</strong>:<br />
Leading a team, nurturing talent,<br />
and seeing employees grow within<br />
our is certainly very rewarding. We<br />
take pride in creating a workplace<br />
culture that fosters professional<br />
development and personal <strong>growth</strong>.<br />
- Market expansion: Our success in<br />
new markets and our commitment<br />
towards increasing the company’s<br />
share in existing markets through<br />
strategic partnerships, global<br />
expansions and innovative marketing<br />
strategies is our source of pride and<br />
satisfaction.<br />
Email: avanish.singh@dcjgroup.in<br />
Website: www.dcjgroup.in<br />
Glass Bulletin | April - June, 2024<br />
67