Archive: March 19, 2025

Viva ACP Achieves ISI Certification, Reinforcing Commitment to Quality and Compliance

Viva ACP, Asia’s largest manufacturer and supplier of aluminium composite panels (ACP), has obtained the prestigious ISI (Indian Standards Institute) certification. This certification, which includes compliance with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), is a testament to the company’s unwavering commitment to quality, safety, and regulatory adherence, further strengthening its position as an industry leader.

ISI certification is one of the most recognized marks of trust and excellence in India, ensuring that products meet stringent quality and performance standards set by BIS. By securing this certification, Viva ACP continues to set benchmarks in the ACP industry, delivering products that adhere to the highest national standards.

Commenting on this significant achievement, Mr. Mayank Jain, Director, Viva Composite Panel Pvt. Ltd., said, “Receiving the ISI certification is a moment of immense pride for us. This milestone underscores our relentless pursuit of quality and our commitment to providing world-class ACP solutions to our customers. Achieving this certification after a rigorous audit of our manufacturing processes and stringent sample testing reaffirms the superior quality of our products, instilling confidence among architects, designers, industry partners, and customers.”

With state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and a strong focus on innovation, Viva ACP continues to lead the way in the aluminium composite panel sector. The ISI certification, incorporating BIS compliance, further strengthens the company’s dedication to delivering durable, high-performance, and visually striking ACP solutions for diverse applications.

Rays Power Infra Limited Secures EPC Projects Worth Over INR 2,000 Crore and Emerges as L1 Bidder for INR 1,600 Crore Projects

India, 19 March 2025 – Rays Power Infra Limited, a prominent business of developing and implementing solar solutions provider, has secured Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) projects worth over ₹2,000 crore across Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh.

In addition, the company has been declared the L1 bidder for EPC projects worth ₹1,600 crore in Assam and Madhya Pradesh, with the Letter of Award (LoA) awaited. These new projects reflect Rays Power Infra’s commitment to advancing clean energy solutions.

Commenting on this milestone, Mr. Ketan Mehta, Managing Director of Rays Power Infra Limited, stated: “Our recent project bid wins reaffirms our presence in the renewable energy sector. With an expertise in executing solar EPC projects, Rays Power Infra is committed to accelerate the deployment of solar and hybrid renewable solutions.

Kirloskar Oil Engines Secures Milestone with Early Completion of 11th Wage Settlement

Pune, March 19th, 2025: Kirloskar Oil Engines Limited (KOEL), a flagship company of the Kirloskar Group, is pleased to announce the successful completion of its 11th wage settlement, achieved well ahead of schedule. This significant milestone underscores KOEL’s steadfast commitment to employee welfare, industrial harmony, and sustainable growth. The settlement is a testament to the company’s dedication to creating a work environment that fosters productivity, engagement, and long-term success.

Since 2011, KOEL’s wage settlements have been featured in the Limca Book of Records, further demonstrating the company’s consistent track record of completing wage settlements on time and in a progressive manner. This achievement reflects the collaborative efforts between the company’s management and its employees, ensuring that the agreement benefits both parties and strengthens their relationship.

The wage settlement ceremony was attended by key members of the management team, including Chairman Mr. Atul Kirloskar, Managing Director Mrs. Gauri Kirloskar, CEO Mr. Rahul Sahai, CHRO Mr. George Verghese, CFO Mr. Sachin Kejriwal, COO Mr. Makarand Joshi, CHRO B2B Mr. Amarjeet Singh, Manufacturing HR Head Mr. Virendra Gaikwad, and Factory Manager Mr. Milind Bote.

The union representation was led by President Mr. Sanjeev Gaikwad, Vice President Mr. Rajendra Yede, Secretary Mr. Ulhas Khutwad, and Treasurer Mr. Vikas Kore. This collaborative effort highlights the mutual respect and shared values between the management and the workforce.

The successful completion of this wage settlement reinforces KOEL’s ongoing commitment to creating a progressive, employee-centric work culture while continuing to prioritize growth, innovation, and operational excellence. The company’s approach fosters not only industrial peace but also contributes to its overarching mission of driving sustainable, efficient, and innovative solutions across various industries.

Lomarlabs & Newlight Secure Greener Shipping with Hybrid Hydrogen-Diesel Retrofits

London, 19th March 2025: lomarlabs, the innovation arm of Lomar Shipping, has announced a strategic collaboration with Newlight, a technology company specialising in hybrid hydrogen-diesel engine retrofits, to accelerate the adoption of cost-effective, lower-emission solutions for the shipping industry. This collaboration will focus on retrofitting conventional diesel engines to operate on a hydrogen-diesel mix, reducing fuel consumption on average by 20% and significantly lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Savings of up to 30% have already been demonstrated in workshop trials and this new collaboration will seek to replicate this onboard vessels.

As the maritime sector works toward meeting IMO decarbonisation targets, shipowners are searching for solutions to extend the service lives of their existing vessels and future proof new vessels they build. Newlight’s dual-fuel retrofit technology is a low CapEx solution that enables existing vessels to integrate hydrogen as a cleaner fuel source, improving energy efficiency while maintaining operational flexibility.

Stylianos Papageorgiou, Managing director of lomarlabs: “We believe in accelerating progress through energy efficiency improvements, emissions treatment and leveraging clean energy sources, always with a focus on maintaining costs at sensible levels. Newlight’s solution fits right into this approach. Decarbonisation isn’t about waiting for the perfect fuel; it’s about acting now with every viable tool at our disposal. Newlight’s dual-fuel retrofit technology promises an immediate, scalable and cost-effective way to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. This is exactly the kind of practical innovation that will bridge the gap between today’s operational realities and the long-term vision of a net-zero maritime industry.”

Through this collaboration, lomarlabs and Newlight will conduct a pilot installation scheduled for summer 2025 on board a Lomar vessel to collect data and carry out harbour and sea trials.

“Hydrogen has enormous potential as a maritime fuel, but transitioning entire fleets to pure hydrogen is a long-term challenge. We believe the industry cannot afford to wait. By taking immediate steps with the current fleet, we can decarbonise ship by ship—delivering real impact today. ” said Haran Cohen Hillel, CEO of Newlight. “By retrofitting existing diesel engines to operate on a hydrogen blend, we provide an immediate, scalable solution that cuts emissions without requiring a complete overhaul of the propulsion systems.”

Lomar CEO Nicholas Georgiou said: “As the global shipping industry adopts initiatives to move towards net-zero emissions, this lomarlabs-Newlight collaboration represents an important step in deploying practical, short-term solutions that make vessels cleaner, more efficient and more cost-effective to operate.”

SIDBI Venture Capital Secures Growth for Nourish You with Series A Funding

Hyderabad, India, 19th March 2025: Nourish You, India’s leading superfoods and plant-based nutrition brand, successfully raised Rs 160 million as part of its Series A round, led by SIDBI Venture Capital. This milestone follows the company’s strategic acquisition of One Good, a pioneering plant-based dairy brand, and builds on previous investments from marquee investors, including Nikhil Kamath, co -founder Zerodha; Rohit Chennamaneni, co-founder, Darwinbox and Samantha Ruth Prabhu. This funding underscores strong investor confidence in Nourish You’s vision and growth trajectory, positioning the company for accelerated expansion and innovation in the superfood sector, with a target to surpass ₹100 cr in net revenue over the next 18-24 months.

The capital infusion will enable Nourish You to scale operations, enhance customer retention, and drive market expansion. As part of its strategic growth roadmap, the company aims to diversify its superfoods and protein portfolio with innovative product launches while strengthening its footprint in existing key international markets, including Australia, Europe, and the US. Additionally, Nourish You will integrate AI-driven technology to offer personalized consumer experiences, fostering deeper engagement and brand loyalty. By leveraging this strategic investment, Nourish You reaffirms its commitment to sustainable, plant-based nutrition, empowering consumers to adopt healthier lifestyles while reinforcing its position as a market leader in the evolving superfood landscape.

Krishna Reddy, Co-founder, Nourish You, said, “This investment marks a pivotal milestone in our journey to make sustainable superfoods a part of everyday nutrition. With SIDBI Venture’s support, we are set to scale rapidly, drive product innovation, and solidify our position as a global superfoods leader.”

Arup Kumar, Managing Director, SIDBI Venture Capital, said, “Investing in India’s superfoods sector presents a compelling opportunity at the intersection of sustainability, health, and scalability. With India’s deep agricultural heritage and the growing consumer shift toward nutrient-dense, plant-based diets, the sector is poised for significant growth. Nourish You embodies this transformation, leveraging indigenous superfoods to cater to both domestic and global demand. As investors, we see immense potential in their ability to build a globally competitive, India-first brand that aligns with our philosophy of ‘Make in India, Make for the World.”

Nourish You operates with core values of clean-label products, vegan principles, fair trade practices with farmers, and a strong commitment to environmental sustainability. The brand remains dedicated to its mission of promoting healthy living through a diverse portfolio of offerings, including superfoods such as quinoa and chia seeds, edible seeds like flax, pumpkin, sunflower, and watermelon seeds, as well as breakfast and meal mixes like millet muesli, nut mixes, and protein-rich cereals. Additionally, Nourish You has made significant strides in the plant-based dairy sector with products such as millet milk, cashew milk, vegan cheese, curd, ghee, and butter. The brand has received several prestigious industry recognitions, including the Poshak Anaaj Award 2023 from the Indian Institute of Millet Research (IIMR), the Best Alternative to Dairy 2023 by the Plant-Based Foods Industry Association (PBFIA), and the Best Vegan Milk 2024 from the PETA India Vegan Foods Awards. Furthermore, in 2024, its vegan ghee was honored under the Best Vegan Ghee category, awarded to One Good.

Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore Secures Strong Leadership with Rahul Uppal’s Appointment

Bangalore, March 19th, 2025: Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore is pleased to announce the appointment of Rahul Uppal as its new Food & Beverage (F&B) Manager. With a rich background in the hospitality industry, Mr. Uppal brings extensive experience in curating exceptional dining experiences, leading high-performing teams, and elevating culinary operations.

In his new role, Mr. Uppal will oversee the entire food and beverage division at the hotel, focusing on enhancing guest satisfaction, developing innovative dining concepts, and driving operational excellence. He will also play a pivotal role in curating dynamic food and beverage experiences that align with Hyatt Centric’s commitment to delivering contemporary yet locally inspired hospitality.

Bringing a deep passion for the culinary arts and a strategic approach to F&B management, Mr. Uppal has held key leadership positions in renowned hotels and restaurants, where he has successfully introduced new dining experiences, streamlined operations, and implemented best practices for exceptional service. His expertise in menu engineering, cost management, and guest engagement makes him a valuable addition to the Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore leadership team.

Speaking on his appointment, Rahul Uppal said, “I am truly honored to join Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore, a brand that embodies modern hospitality with a strong local touch. I look forward to working with the talented team to create unique and memorable dining experiences for our guests, while also introducing innovative concepts that cater to the evolving preferences of today’s travelers.”

Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore is known for its vibrant and immersive culinary offerings, including its signature restaurants and bars that showcase a mix of global flavors and regional specialties. With Mr. Uppal at the helm of F&B operations, the hotel aims to further elevate its gastronomic reputation, delivering exceptional flavors, personalized experiences, and impeccable service.