Pidilite Limited Industries Recognized By Great Place To Work Among India’s Best Workplaces In Manufacturing 2022!

Pidilite Limited Industries has been recognized by Great Place to Work® India among -Top 30 India’s Best Workplaces in Manufacturing 2022! This recognition reflects every employee who reposes their faith in Pidilite and make us who we are today and brings life to our vision to be a “World Class High-Performing Indian Multinational where it is a Pleasure to Work”.

As a global authority on workplace culture, Great Place to Work® has been studying employee experience and people practices across organizations for over three decades. Every year, more than 10,000 organizations from over 60 countries partner with Great Place to Work® Institute for assessment, benchmarking, and planning of actions to strengthen their workplace culture.

In its 5th edition this year, 132 organizations in the Manufacturing sector undertook this assessment. Based on a rigorous evaluation we have identified the Top 30 organizations among India's Best Workplaces in Manufacturing 2022. These organizations excel both on people practices that they have designed for their employees and act on the feedback to create a High Trust Culture.

Speaking on Pidilite being recognized as a Top 30 organizations among India’s Best Workplaces in Manufacturing 2022, Bharat Puri, MD, said, “This recognition reflects the views of every employee who reposes their faith in Pidilite and make us who we are today and brings life to our vision to be an Innovative, High-Performing Indian Multinational where it is a Pleasure to Work. As an organization we take pride in this moment, in true tradition we seek constant improvement to scale to even greater heights as we live our dream of Growing Stronger Together.”

The report and the complete list (in alphabetical order) of India’s Best Workplaces in Manufacturing 2022 can be viewed here.

Learn more at https://www.greatplacetowork.in/ and on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

About Pidilite

Pidilite is a consumer centric Company committed to quality and innovation. For decades, it has been pioneering products for small to large applications, at home and industry, which have forged strong bonds with people from all walks of life.

From adhesives, sealants, waterproofing solutions and construction chemicals to arts & crafts, industrial resins, polymers and more, the Company’s product portfolio is as diverse as it is ever evolving. Today, its brands like Fevicol, Fevikwik, Dr. Fixit are trusted household and industrial names, and it is the market leader in adhesives.

A robust and growing network makes Pidilite products accessible across demographics and geographies. The Company has an annual turnover of ~Rs. 7300 Crore and employs over 6,000 people as part of its workforce.

Godrej Industries Ltd. Valia Plant, Gujarat Becomes First Chemical Manufacturing Facility To Achieve GreenCo Platinum Rating

* Godrej Industries now aims to achieve carbon neutrality, water neutrality and zero waste to landfill for this facility by 2026.

Godrej Industries Ltd. (Chemicals) has set a new benchmark by becoming the first chemical manufacturing company in the country to achieve a ‘GreenCo Platinum’ rating. The award was conferred by the CII-Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre (CII-Godrej GBC) for the company’s manufacturing facility in Valia (Gujarat) under GreenCo (Green Company Rating System). 

The GreenCo Rating System is envisioned to create a green movement in the country. The rating is based on ten key parameters- energy efficiency, water conservation, product stewardship and life cycle assessment, innovation, waste management, green supply chain, material conservation and recycling, green infrastructure and ecological, renewable energy, GHG emissions. It assesses and analyses the environmental impact of a company’s operations and points are assigned for each rating parameter after site assessment. 

In alignment with the Godrej ‘Good and Green’ objectives, in the last ten years, the facility has cut its specific energy consumption by 26%, water usage by 30% and reduced specific greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 46%. Its reliance on fossil fuel for steam generation has also reduced by more than 90% during the same period. Currently, 48% of the energy used in the facility are from renewable sources. Godrej Industries now aims to achieve carbon neutrality, water neutrality and zero waste to landfill as a group by 2026. 

On receiving the honour, Nitin Nabar - Executive Director & President (Chemicals) said, “This is a huge step forward in our quest for sustainable growth. It is the outcome of the team’s strong devotion and hard work. We will continue our efforts towards achieving circular economy objectives through process reengineering, innovation, green chemistry, and clean technologies. We also urge our suppliers to embrace our sustainable procurement policy and improve the ESG performance in their operations to achieve the joint long-term goal of achieving sustainable growth.”

K S Venkatagiri, Executive Director - CII Godrej GBC, added, “The continual, earnest efforts of Godrej Industries Limited, [at] Valia has earned them the GreenCo Platinum certification. With an all-rounded performance ranging from renewable energy to new technology deployment, GIL Valia along with Godrej group aims to achieve carbon neutrality, water neutrality and zero waste to landfill by 2026. We are extremely delighted to welcome Godrej Industries Limited, Valia, into the GreenCo fraternity once again.”

About Godrej Industries

Godrej Industries (Chemicals) is one of the oldest businesses of the Godrej Group, and is in the business of manufacturing oleo chemicals, derivatives and surfactants in India since 1963. Today, it is one of India’s leading oleochemicals players and exports to over 80 countries in North and South America, Asia, Europe, Australia, and Africa, etc

As a part of Godrej Good & Green, it is deeply committed to building a more inclusive and Greener India. In line with this, the company has made sustainability a key part of its manufacturing process and value chain. Its relentless focus on energy conservation has been consistently recognised by several industry bodies such as the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Indian Chemical Council (ICC) and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). 

In 1990, Godrej Industries set up their flagship manufacturing facility at Valia in Gujarat spread across 140 acres. This integrated manufacturing plant is ISO 50001:2018, ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, and ISO 45001:2018 certified, and all products manufactured are Kosher certified. The business has another manufacturing facility in Ambernath, Maharashtra which is also ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 45001:2018 certified.

Both of the facilities have earned several industry honours and accolades for its Green initiatives.

Garware Hi-Tech Film Lists On The National Stock Exchange (NSE)

* Move aimed at increasing Investor participation & enhancing Shareholder value  

Garware Hi-Tech Films Ltd. (formerly Garware Polyester Ltd.), the flagship company of Garware Group and a leading player in specialty Polyester Films in India and Worldwide today listed its shares on the National Stock Exchange (NSE). Prior to today company’s shares were listed solely on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).

Speaking on occasion of the listing ceremony at NSE, Ms. Monika Garware, Vice-Chairperson and Jt. Managing Director, GHFL said “After launching new product lines, re-branding our products and changing company’s name to align with our new vision and growth strategy, the next logical step was to list on NSE, India’s premier stock exchange. Listing on NSE shall provide an additional platform for new investors to participate in GHFL’s growth journey, increase investor participation and enhance value for all shareholders.”  

About Garware Hi-Tech Films Limited

Garware Hi-Tech Films Limited (formerly Garware Polyester Ltd.) (BOM: 500655) is the flagship company of the Garware Group co-promoted by the Chairman and Managing Director Mr. S.B. Garware in the year 1957 along with the Founder-Chairman Late Padmabhushan Dr. B. D. Garware. The company makes Hi-Tech specialty performance polyester Films in India and has its State-of-the-Art manufacturing facilities at Aurangabad in Maharashtra, India. GHFL is the pioneer and one of the largest exporter of Polyester Films in India and the winner of top exporters’ awards for continuous 33 years from PLEXCOUNCIL.

Garware Hi-Tech Films Ltd.’s (GHFL) manufacturing facility in Aurangabad is vertically integrated, from manufacture of polyester chips to the finished product of polyester films with four independent manufacturing lines and a business that spans the globe.  Polyester Films are used for variety of end-applications such as PET Shrink films for Label application, Low Oligomer PET films for insulation of hermetically sealed compressors motors, Electric motor insulation and cable insulation, sequin application films, TV and LCD screen application, Packaging applications etc. GHFL is also the market Leader and India’s only manufacturer of Sun Control window films for Building, safety and auto applications. The company has facilities for manufacturing various coated products and co-extruded products for specialty application, apart from its capacity to design the recipe for raw material of PET films to suit the end application of the product.  The company has also developed surface-protection films and Paint Protection Films designed to deliver the highest level of protection and impact resistance which has applications in many sectors.  

ICICI Lombard introduces innovative Face Scan Feature In Indian

* A new-age feature enables monitoring of vitals in a matter of minutes on its flagship

* IL TakeCare App

In line with its digital-first approach for consumers, ICICI Lombard has introduced an innovative face scan feature to its signature app, IL TakeCare (ILTC), enabling the checking of vitals in couple of minutes.

An industry first, the innovative solution, introduced under the 'Know Your Health Vitals’, the banner of the app, helps users keep track of vitals such as blood pressure, SpO2(oxygen saturation), heart rate, respiration rate, heart rate variability, and stress level, all without any additional devices and from the comfort and safety of their homes. With the recent spike in COVID cases, there is an increasing awareness of the need to monitor these vitals regularly. Users can check these vitals using only the app, avoiding the cost and hassle of maintaining multiple gadgets like a blood pressure monitor, an oxygen meter, and so on. The app is seamless, with a comprehensive wellness solution that promotes a preventive rather than a curative approach. Along with the primary owners, this disruptive platform can be used by their family members too.

Significantly, digital solutions have witnessed an accelerated acceptance during the pandemic. The ILTC app, which recently witnessed a milestone of one million downloads, has added new features to the application, including mental well-being, easy-renewals, post-policy health check-ups, contactless motor claims services, health booster renewals, health risk assessment, and wellness goals.

Product innovation that is tied to a deep understanding of customers’ emotional and practical needs and wants, coupled with the ability to quickly get those products to customers, is at the core of all solutions by ICICI Lombard. The ILTC app has shown promising consumer adoption, with customers benefitting from the program's diverse features spanning insurance and wellness.

In the past, the company has introduced several innovative, new-age solutions, for its customers, including cloud-based insurance, easy online renewals, teleconsultation for policy purchase, easy claims registration, and more. ICICI Lombard is committed to developing technological solutions that make it easier and more convenient for insurance customers to purchase or renew their policies, as well as simplify their service needs.

Sanjeev Mantri, Executive Director, ICICI Lombard said, “ICICI Lombard flagship IL TakeCare App, has been one such step of our commitment to customer centricity rooted in their overall wellbeing and governed by empathy. In a highly competitive scenario, we believe long term value creation will depend more on delivering differentiation through digital first, DIY and immersive approaches for new age customers. Face Scan feature is a powerful innovation to democratise health checks, going beyond the realm of a transactional relationship to delivering a frictionless and engaging experience in the current times. Furthermore, our ILTC app has seen encouraging traction and growth with over 1.2 mn downloads, over 25% MoM growth on new policies, over 200 teleconsultations daily and over 1/3rd of our health claims now being settled through the app. We envision to provide the best- in-class digital experience to our customers and partners and many more breakthrough innovations in the time to come.” 

The ILTC App has multiple unique features being rolled out for both retail and corporate customers. They include heart rate, oxygen level, and stress level checks in less than a couple of minutes using a face scan, access to teleconsultation at the customer’s convenience via audio, video, and chat, wellness blogs, and cloud-based storage for all policy-related documents. The app facilitates the booking of post-policy check-ups with only a few clicks, real-time claim tracking through the app, and a customized CHI renewal flow, to name a few.

In addition to this, the app can also schedule medical tests and receive results. Through this app, OPD customers can avail cashless visits to doctors and clinics and order medicines with home delivery via this app. The software runs on Android and iOS phones. Customers can access this service by downloading the ILTC app from the App Store or Google Play.

About ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Ltd

We are one of the leading private sector non-life insurers in India. We offer our customers a comprehensive and well-diversified range of products, including motor, health, crop, fire, personal accident, marine, engineering and liability insurance, through multiple distribution channels. More details are available at www.icicilombard.com.

ON PURPOSE Introduces New Inclusive Parental Leave Policy

* Launches campaign #TwoIsTooLittle to address all forms of new parenthood

ON PURPOSE, a creative communications consultancy, launched a landmark parental leave policy offering inclusive employee benefits to new parents, primary and secondary caregivers as well as pet parents.

ON PURPOSE understands the realities and needs of modern day parenting and recognises the integral role of securely bonding with their baby/child/ pet  in the first critical weeks in order to give them the best possible start in life.

While the industry standard for paternity leave is just two weeks, the agency introduces a new 12-week leave policy for fathers and partners. Through the #TwoIsTooLittle campaign, ON PURPOSE hopes to inspire other workplaces in the country to adopt similar inclusive policies

The new parental policy aims to cover all instances of new parenthood as it extends to new parents who choose birth, adoption, surrogacy, or IVF as well as compassionate leave for parents who experience loss during pregnancy

Key features of the policy

ON PURPOSE’s New Paid Parental Leave Policy Gives Employees upto:

* 26 weeks paid parental leave at full pay for birthing people

* 12 weeks paid paternity leave

* 12 weeks paid leave for parents by law (adoption and surrogacy)

* 6 weeks of paid leave In the event of a miscarriage or stillbirth during anytime of the term

* Employee with breastfeeding/chestfeeding infants are also entitled to time-off or time away from their desks(work)

This is not all. ON PURPOSE celebrates families and believes that having a pet comes with responsibility and is a family member who needs care and  love equally. The organisation has curated leaves for pet parents, offering a 7-day time-off when an employee adopts a new pet.

Speaking about the initiative, Girish Balachandran, Founder, ON PURPOSE said, “Social change must start at home. As an organisation committed to driving social change in India, the launch of our new parental policy is an integral milestone to challenge gender stereotypes and build an inclusive workplace.  It’s time to share the load, share the ??? (laad).”

In May 2021, ON PURPOSE also introduced ‘Period Chutti’, a menstrual policy which offers an additional 6 days of paid leave for all employees who menstruate. This was initiated with the intention to support its employees to rest, while not having to use their sick leave, since periods are not a sickness. Additionally, the policy aims to remove the stigma surrounding menstruation and make it a normal conversation at the workplace. 

75F Introduces HyperStat, The Industry's Most Advanced Thermostat And Humidistat

Building automation leader, 75F announced the newest addition to its suite of software-defined hardware, the 75F® HyperStat™. Its eight onboard sensors and industry-leading connectivity make the device the most advanced thermostat and humidistat on the market today.

The HyperStat senses temperature, humidity, CO?, occupancy, light, sound, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and optional particulate matter, making it an affordable one-stop device for WELL Building Standard support. Data from these sensors feed wirelessly into a real-time analytics package and inform 75F's built-in, Guideline 36-compliant control algorithms.

Additionally, the HyperStat comes packed with four analog inputs, three analog outputs, and six relays that leverage software-defined control capabilities for all types of standalone multi-stage and modulating packaged HVAC equipment, from PTAC units to heat pumps and fan coils found in commercial buildings. It can also act as the local interface and sensing for VAV controllers.

Combined, these features mold the HyperStat into an energy and indoor air quality management powerhouse capable of servicing more people and buildings than ever before.

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Deepinder Singh, Founder & CEO, 75F, said, "The HyperStat brings IAQ data forward by bundling eight digital sensors into a single affordable, connected device. This coupled with software-defined control sequences opens vast possibilities for better building operation. Our customers can breathe easy — we'll do the rest."

Built-in sequences for occupancy detection include auto-away and force-occupy settings that, along with a door and window opening sensor, give the HyperStat flexibility to optimize indoor environments — no matter the current building schedule. Key card integration for large hospitality customers and a more user-friendly interface allows fine-grained individual zone control.

HyperStat works out of the box with 75F's IoT-based Building Management System or can be integrated into other BMS solutions via Modbus/BACnet. The device allows constant recommissioning and creates its own network, reducing cost barriers and bringing far more points to HVAC sequences of operation to reduce energy consumption and improve occupant comfort, health, and productivity.

About 75F:

75F designs and manufactures the world's leading IoT-based Building Management System, an out-of-the-box, vertically-integrated solution that is more affordable and easier to deploy than anything on the market today. The company leverages IoT, Cloud Computing and Machine Learning for data-driven, proactive building intelligence and controls for HVAC optimization. Investors include some of the biggest names in energy and technology. 75F's mission is to improve occupant productivity through enhanced comfort and indoor air quality — all while saving energy and the environment. Learn more at www.75f.io.

Zoho Workplace Achieves Exceptional Growth Spurred By Market Demand And Record Migrations From Competitor Suites

* The ongoing migration from Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 results in an influx of new customers for Zoho's collaboration and communication platform

Zoho, a global technology company offering the most comprehensive suite of business software applications in the industry, today announced that its enterprise collaboration and communications platform, Workplace, now serves more than 16 million users globally. The company attributes this substantial growth to increasing business demand for contextual applications with utmost standards for user privacy as well as rising costs from other collaboration platform providers. Since the start of the pandemic, Zoho Workplace adoption has accelerated as businesses of all sizes transitioned to digital-forward, remote work.

"Zoho has always been about persistent long-term execution, and our investment in Zoho Workplace attests to that. As competitors continue to raise prices or eliminate free editions for those who need them most, Workplace continues to serve businesses and professionals with a feature-rich suite that increases productivity while remaining broadly affordable," said Sridhar Vembu, CEO and Co-founder, Zoho Corporation. "Our ad-free approach and respect towards user privacy will add to the overall experience that our solution provides."

Unparalleled Growth

Zoho Workplace experienced 34% year-to-year growth in 2021, with more than 40% of new customers making the switch from Google and Microsoft. Growth was strong in all segments, with the SMB customer base increasing 40%, mid-sized by 36%, and enterprises by more than 20%. In India, Workplace saw 40% growth. Carnival Group, Equitas Bank, and VIVA Group are a few among the thousands of Indian businesses that have successfully onboarded to the Workplace platform in recent years.

Demand is largely driven by businesses still facing harsh realities of the pandemic, and its impact on their growth and budget. Unforeseen hikes in operational costs to support collaboration makes it more difficult for these businesses to recover and thrive. Within days of Google announcing that it would be ending the free edition of Workspace, Zoho's Workplace platform experienced a 120% increase in migrations from Google-hosted domains. 

Analyst Quote

"Zoho is unique amongst its productivity suite competitors for not rolling out a cost increase for 2022, nor removing their freemium offerings," commented Thomas Randall, Senior Research Analyst at Info-Tech Research Group. "Other providers have justified price add-ons and increases to reflect the additional value they believe their customers have received over the pandemic for using their tools. Yet freemium offerings and price consistency have been central for many customers and businesses to stay afloat during lockdowns. Now that such offerings are in short supply, Zoho will likely see increased demand for their Workplace services as customers seek strong ROI for productivity and collaboration software.” 

Pricing and Availability

Zoho Workplace is available in three editions: Standard (?99 per user, per month, billed annually) Professional (?399 per user, per month, billed annually) and Mail-only (~?59 per user, per month, billed annually). For more information, please visit: https://www.zoho.com/workplace/pricing.html

Zoho Privacy Pledge

Zoho respects user privacy and does not have an ad-revenue model in any part of its business, including its free products. More than 75 million users around the world, across hundreds of thousands of companies, rely on Zoho every day to run their businesses, including Zoho itself. For more information, visit https://www.zoho.com/privacy.html

About Zoho

With 50+ apps in nearly every major business category, including sales, marketing, customer support, accounting and back-office operations, and an array of productivity and collaboration tools, Zoho Corporation is one of the world's most prolific technology companies. Zoho is privately held and profitable with more than 10,000 employees. Zoho is headquartered in Chennai, India. Additional offices are in the United States, Japan, China, Canada, Singapore, Mexico, Australia, the Netherlands, Brazil, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. For more information, visit www.zoho.com/