Top executives of Walmart India and Flipkart on Wednesday met fair-trade regulator CCI to explain their activities in the country, days after submitting an application seeking approval for their $16-billion mega merger deal.
While there was no official word on the meeting, sources said it was a “courtesy call” by the executives of the two companies during which they also apprised the regulatory authority of Walmart’s global sourcing from India, including from the farmers, and its work towards kirana stores and supplier development programmes.
Those present in the meeting included Walmart India President and CEO Krish Iyer and the company’s Senior Vice President and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer Rajneesh Kumar, besides Flipkart CEO Kalyan Krishnamurthy and its group legal head R Baweja, sources said.
In their meeting with CCI member Sudhir Mittal, the officials of the two companies briefly explained about their individual businesses, development programmes and other activities. The meeting comes days after Walmart approached the CCI for approval of its proposed acquisition of a majority stake in ecommerce major Flipkart. In their application filed last week, the two companies have said the acquisition, proposed through Walmart, deal doesn’t raise any competition concerns
Electropreneur Park, funded by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, organised a Tech sharing session in New Delhi recently for tech start-ups and budding entrepreneurs. The session was co-hosted by Infineon Technologies, the German semiconductor manufacturing firm. The session was attended by a wide audience ranging from start-ups, aspiring entrepreneurs, academicians, industry professionals, practitioners, Technocrats and Researchers from the field of Life sciences, Informatics, Data Science and Information Technology.
The rapidly evolving pace of technology is changing how we do business and hence the focus of the session was to better understand and evaluate how current and emerging resources, tools and trends across the tech landscape will impact business. Some of the trends discussed at the event include Smart sensing (radar, time-of-flight, environmental sensing etc); Human-machine interface; Power control/monitoring/management solutions; Automotive (autonomous, electrification) and Renewable energy applications- Industrial& commercial.
Sanjeev Chopra, CEO, Electropreneur Park, said, “Such sessions help in guiding budding entrepreneurs in finding new avenues and opportunities and challenges in emerging trends in entrepreneurship. The need of the hour is to create an environment that is conducive to entrepreneurship by knitting together all relevant players- support system institutions, governments and potential and existing entrepreneurs”
After the Launch of Its Industry 4.0 Pilot Factory in Saclay, BCG’s Operations Practice in France Partners with EASE, the Factory School of Strasbourg University Dedicated to Biopharma and Regulated Process Industries.
The EASE center, with a shop floor of 46,000 square feet, including 21,500 square feet of white rooms, was designed as a real industrial site and has been open for training since September 2017. Located on the Illkirch campus, south of Strasbourg, France, it reproduces the constraints of white rooms—the sterile and classified zones in which drugs and health care products are manufactured.
The factory school maintains three drug production lines: oral solid doses (tablets and capsules), injectable sterile liquids, and biologics. In addition to production lines, the site will offer a quality control lab and all the utilities and production systems that enable real-condition simulations. The site is used to train operators from the industry as well as students in several fields, including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, fine chemistry, and agri-food processing.
The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) is partnering with EASE (European Aseptic and Sterile Environment) to provide its expertise on performance improvement, lean management, and Industry 4.0–related tools. “In keeping with the six Innovation Centers for Operations [ICOs] operating in different countries—including the first pilot factory opened in Saclay, France, in 2016—this partnership enables EASE and BCG to promote technologies that improve the performance of industrial operations. This new site will notably address the challenges faced by players in the pharmaceutical industry by providing them with innovative solutions, enabling quantum leaps in performance in terms of quality, traceability, flexibility, ergonomics, and productivity,” said Moundir Rachidi, a director at BCG who heads up the firm’s Operations practice in France.
Implementing and integrating the Industry 4.0 technologies—most notably, advanced robotics, data analytics, artificial intelligence, augmented reality, industrial internet, and simulation platforms—can increase industrial sites’ productivity by 15% to 20% while improving quality and flexibility.
“A successful shift toward Industry 4.0 depends on quality field training at all levels, from operators to plant managers. Strasbourg University provides all those players its educational expertise and research,” said Constance Perrot, EASE director.
The project benefits from the support of the State via the Investments for the Future program, as well as local and regional authorities, the European Regional Development Fund, and private partners. Located at the heart of a trinational region, the school factory benefits from the excellence of Strasbourg University, with its four active Nobel Prize–winning scientists: Jean-Pierre Sauvage (2016), Martin Karplus (2013), Jules A. Hoffmann (2011), and Jean-Marie Lehn (1987. “Combining academic excellence with consulting excellence should enable industrial companies to fully understand the integration of various solutions into the challenging environment of clean rooms,” said Moundir Rachidi.
This new ICO will help biopharma and regulated process industries address changes that affect their sites and operation strategies. On-site visits and training sessions will help these professionals to plan technology implementation and investments and to define their digitization roadmap.
NXP India, a world leader in secure connectivity solutions for embedded applications, today organized the TechStreams TechSummit, a panel discussion on Electric Vehicles- The Game Changer of Future Automobiles. The summit saw participation from eminent automobile industry leaders. NXP’s TechStreams is a knowledge sharing platform that includes events, such as the TechTalk, TechConference, TechTutorial, and Tech Summit to promote the spirit of innovation. In essence, TechStreams is a fusion of four technological streams – Security, New Semiconductor Process Technologies, Emerging Domains and High-Performance Analog Signals and RF Designs.
The Panel discussion was a part of the Emerging Domains stream and focused on ‘Electric Vehicles: The game changer of future automobiles’. Some of India’s most valued dignitaries attended the discussion that aimed at debating the role and the future of electric vehicles and their disruptive potential for the automobile industry. The day-long event was divided into two panels that witnessed participation from industry experts, such as Sirish Batchu, Head - Advanced Technology, Mahindra Electric Mobility, Subodh Gajare, Senior Solutions Architect, Cisco, Amit Gupta, Group CEO-Automotive Business, Hero Motors, Vikram Gulati, Country Head & Vice President, Toyota Kirloskar Motors, Arun Malhotra, former MD, Nissan, Mohit Arora, Associate Director, Supplier Solutions – India, IHS Markit – Automotive, Atul Arya, Head Energy Systems, Panasonic, Kaushik Madhavan, Director, Automotive & Transportation, Frost & Sullivan and Peeyush Asati, Founder & Managing Director, Vecmocon.
Speaking on the EVs space, Sanjay Gupta, Vice President & India Country Manager, NXP India said, ‘Globally, the EV segment is growing at a double digit every year. It is important to equip the EVs of future with the right technology and infrastructure to fill up the potential that it brings along for nations in general and auto makers specifically. The growth of the EV market presents a massive innovation opportunity around battery, charging and connectivity technologies that will drive newer business models. This process has also been driven in India with an attempt to gradually control pollution, cut oil imports and compete for a slice of the expanding global EV market.’’
The discussions revolved around the global success stories to drive India as a big market for EVs during the current times and the coming decade followed by the innovations in EVs to ride the future. It was also debated that the India still faces some challenges to EVs while there is immense potential and opportunities to grow the industry from internal combustion engine vehicles to zero emission vehicles. The major hurdle in the way of successful implementation of EV is the charging infrastructure and government’s ambitious plans for a mass scale shift to electric vehicles (EVs) will bring electric vehicles on Indian roads in the coming future.
Here is a glimpse of what the leaders had to say during the summit today –
Amit Gupta, President & CEO – Group Automotive Business, Hero Motors said, ‘’It’s no rocket science that electric vehicles are the future. Modern advances in electric technology are making electric powered vehicles closer to mainstream reality than they ever were. If the progress continues at the current pace, the conventional internal combustion engine powered vehicles may soon go extinct. In terms of the Indian society, a push for the adoption of electric vehicles is the need of the hour. We, at hero are completely prepared for the future and our working along with our partner Hewland, UK on e-transmission from design to cost for OEMs in EU.’’
Arun Malhotra, Former MD, Nissan India, said, ‘’EV technology in India is at the inflection point. The Indian Government has to play the role of a catalyst in terms of a clear roadmap, investment in EV infrastructure and subsidy to the final users to kick start it.’’
When asked about EV policy for India and what we can take/learn from other countries, Mohit Arora, Associate Director, Supplier Solutions – India, IHS Markit - Automotive responded, “When we look at EV penetration strategies globally it boils down to ‘every nation to its own’ thereby implying that there is no set formula on policy that India can pick or borrow. Every nation has to adopt policies according to one’s own strengths and weaknesses in line with the entire EV ecosystem. For India, at the moment, our government is in the drafting phase seeking inputs from different nodal agencies and other stake holders.”
Subodh Gajare, Senior Solutions Architect, CISCO, said, “There will be a few disruptive trends for the future of urban mobility with AI and autonomous cars shaping new business models. Electrification of vehicles will demand innovation in battery and storage technologies for mass adoption.”
Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced the rebranding of Hyatt Bangalore MG Road to the Hyatt Centric brand, marking the brand’s first hotel in India and twenty-third worldwide. Located in prime destinations across world-class cities like New York, Miami, Madrid, Tokyo and Chicago, the Hyatt Centric brand is thoughtfully designed to enable exploration and discovery, and targets millennial-minded travelers who want to be in the middle of the action.
Located in the city known as India’s Silicon Valley, Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore is the launch pad that inspires and encourages exploration of Bangalore’s serene parks, inspiring Victorian-era architecture, and vibrant dining scene with ease.
“We are delighted to introduce the Hyatt Centric brand to our savvy guests in India with the opening of Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore,” said Sunjae Sharma, Hyatt’s vice president of operations, India. “Based in the hustle and bustle of Bangalore’s city center, we are confident that Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore will serve as a platform for guests to easily explore and share all that is vibrant, and exciting, about the garden city. The launch of a Hyatt Centric hotel in India strengthens Hyatt’s portfolio in the country and highlights our commitment to offering the authentic experiences guests want.”
Designed by Studio HBA, the hotel boasts a contemporary feel with eclectic touches that capture the city’s cosmopolitan vibe. Its 143 contemporary and playful guestrooms, including four suites with terrace gardens overlooking the aquamarine blue pool, have been stylishly redecorated and infused with local flare. With features like complimentary Wi-Fi and a 48-inch flat-screen TV, each guestroom offers the perfect setting to relax after the day’s adventures.
Two distinct dining options are available for explorers looking to try something new: The Corner and The Bengaluru Brasserie. While The Corner offers a social atmosphere for coffee and light fare, The Bengaluru Brasserie delivers modern global cuisine with a focus on health and well-being. The hotel also boasts a customizable special events space, making it a perfect destination for any group event.
Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore provides a multitude of other services including a 24-hour fitness center, a business center, a locally-inspired spa, room service, multilingual staff as well as laundry and dry cleaning services to fulfill every need.
In an announcement to the media, Jain (Deemed-to-be University) and Aptech Ltd. announced a strategic association to offer dual certification, wherein the students will be joining Jain (Deemed-to-be University)’s degree offerings as well as Arena Animation, Aptech Learning’s skill development certification programs. With this, the program aspirants will complete a University degree qualification, and acquire industry-relevant skills, which will enable them in obtaining lucrative employment. Aptech Ltd. will use its cutting edge competency evaluation application Creosouls to measure Arena students’ skills.
The competencies taught will be in ‘industry-ready’ sectors of employment such as:
· VFx, Graphic Design and Multimedia
· Digital Technologies
· Security and Forensic
· Networking and Infrastructure Management
· Game Design and Development
· Airport Terminal, Hospitality Management, Retail, Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI)
Commenting on the association, Anil Pant, CEO & MD, Aptech Ltd. said, “Indian Education and its stakeholders shall forever be enriched with associations that add value to students to create a richer environment for their professional exposure, subject understanding and opportunity to add value to their employment. I believe the coming together of two large players such as Aptech Ltd.-often referred to as the ‘enrolment to employment’ company and Jain (Deemed-to-be University), a devoted institution par excellence, will be very beneficial.”
Dr. Chenraj Roychand, President, Jain (Deemed-to-be University) said, “I appreciate Aptech Learning's dynamism, clarity, and their adaptability to changing times. Together we see that we need the skill, innovation and vocation in today’s world. I think that we, being at the forefront of providing education, has the responsibility to contribute to the future of the country and its development by impacting young minds. At Jain (Deemed-to-be University), we synergize to develop students’ ability, and convert them into ideas that the country needs.”
HARMAN International, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. focused on connected technologies for automotive, consumer and enterprise markets, today announced the launch of JBL GO 2 in India. JBL GO 2 is a portable, compact Bluetooth speaker with next-generation audio quality and a new, bolder design. JBL GO 2 is the second generation Bluetooth speaker of JBL GO, considered as one of the most popular portable Bluetooth speakers in this category. The new JBL GO 2 is priced at INR 2,999 and is available at various retail stores and chains, and at 350 key Samsung brand stores across the country.
“We are extremely delighted to introduce the all new JBL GO 2 - this ultra-portable, compact, palm-sized, brightly colored, waterproof speaker will impress music lovers with its richer and clearer audio output. JBL GO, the earlier version of GO 2, was an instant hit amongst Indian music lovers. Its portability and audio quality has made it to be the perfect companion for any music lover on-the-GO. With the IPX7 technology, we want Indian JBL GO fans to upgrade to the new waterproof version JBL GO2 and enjoy the upcoming monsoons with rejuvenating music,” said Sumit Chauhan, Vice President - Lifestyle Audio, HARMAN India.
JBL GO 2 comes in a thrilling combination of JBL Signature sound and waterproof IPX7 design coupled with increased audio quality and performance. Users can easily submerge it while playing, or carry it to the poolside, beach, the porch or patio. They can also wirelessly stream music via Bluetooth or with a wired connection from any smartphone or tablet. The built-in rechargeable Li-ion battery supports up to 5 hours of playtime. For consumers looking for more versatility in a portable speaker, the GO 2 also offers crystal-clear phone call experience with its built-in echo and noise cancelling speakerphone.
Crafted in a modern, block shaped design with soft, curved edges; this speaker comes with 12 eye-catching colors options. Of-the-moment shades like Ash Gray, Icecube Cyan, Seafoam Mint, Lemonade Yellow, Sunkissed Cinnamon, Pearl Champagne, Midnight Black, Deep Sea Blue, Moss Green, Coral Orange, Ruby Red, Slate Navy give a pop of color to your sound and instantly raises your style profile to all-new levels.
