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When Abhay Nalwade was thrown into the hot seat of the CEO, Thermax, he knew he would have to plunge into the shark- infested waters that would be a true test of his management skills.`Citadel' profiles the M.D. and CEO of Thermax and discovers one of the most respected names in the industry, redefining himself and his core business. |
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The best study of Thermax is its CEO. Like his company, he is brief, understated and unpretentious.Pragmatic and cautious to a point, Abhay Nalawade's description of the erosion of the world and its environment that he lives in and the Thermax's new role that has risen from it.
"How many of us know about Global warming?" is Abhay Nalawade's opener as he mouths off statistics that are likely to have you reeling. Well, he should know considering that is the watchword that Thermax is banking on! Underlining their concept of "Energy, Environment and Exports, that are strongly linked to each other" they are trying to address this burning issue which Nalawade insists will be hotter and more talked about than I.T.
Abhay Nalawade foresees a change. "While the US was not willing to look into the entire issue, now they have realised its money spin-offs and so today it seems to be generating a lot of news, solutions and money!"Moving away from satisfying needs of the consumer, they are building new needs and filling in new gaps. Responding to the energising forces that propelled this CEO into the limelight, his career has scaled over the rough edges and speed breakers. But this CEO looks less like a battered hero, and more of an optimistic warrior, fighting into the next century. Appointed as the Managing Director after the untimely demise of the Chairman and Managing Director, Thermax, Rohinton Aga, Nalawade has had to learn life's lessons on his own.
"Mr. Aga never made it explicit that he would have wanted me to become the Managing Director. But in the natural course, I would have become one of the directors of the company...." he admits. "Though what did help was the fact that I did work with him for a couple of years from 1989.
" The initial period was tough, despite his years well spent at Thermax where he has been groomed from being in the Market Research Function to being appointed the Regional Manager in 1979. From then on, the ride has been an acceleration through a series of capable designations to finally become the executive director taking overall charge of several business divisions. His parent role, is to fulfill the requirements of his board. "They are looking for a leader who will take charge of the organisation....Like they say, the CEO is for the Customers, Owners and Employees." Recalling the initial months after Rohinton Aga's death, he discloses, "The pressure remained intense. The profits flattened in the face of a hostile business environment bringing about destabilisation. But now that things have stabilised, my prime task as the CEO is to ask and redefine `the purpose of Thermax.' While we are known for our strong technical know-how, good human resource development, an efficient customer focus, we are looking forward to addressing newer issues!
 " Nalawade basks content in the knowledge that global warming and its implications are one of them."While our lifestyle and indiscriminate use of energy is making its demands on the environment, it is not being replenished fast enough... So we have to make sure that we make products, that use our motive energies to maximise our resources." Even as Thermax is moving on to take on a vast social and business responsibility, as front runners of the industry, they are keen to lead the way. Nalawade stresses, "While at Thermax, we have always been consumer focussed, where we have tried to meet the customer's needs besides, `just wanting a boiler' today we are trying to maximise nature's resources to the fullest. We want to take all our skills, knowledge and approach the customer with a product that has evolved to make most of the energy resources and ensures maximum energy usage!
"This initiation of change is possible at Thermax," says Nalawade confidently, "The competitive streak within us allows us to dream that we could be the company in the city that will bring about this change in the industry. That we will help them become more aware of the environment and the issues that threaten it, besides focussing on the long term benefits. Besides, we are an organisation receptive to change and quickly at that!" With full support from Rohinton Aga's daughter Meher Pudumjee, Director, Thermax, who also plays a pivotal role in the functioning of the company as she deals with environmental issues and its various other implications, Thermax is definitely headed on the right path.
For Abhay Nalawade who believes in doing the right things and not just doing things rights, he ventures matter-of-factly, "We have evolved from our mistakes. I believe that there is now a clarity of thought and a sincerity in purpose." What excites the fifty year old CEO, is the challenge of the unknown; that he is called on constantly to define his own role, enlarge upon it and make an impact... "The expectations are defined, not the job," he says with customary honesty.Nalawade has decided to give his company the breathing space of three to five years to make a solid impact at an imperceptible level.
The transition, they say, is the hardest. Today, Thermax seems to have found its pitch, though it has been tougher than many other successful companies. However, having found its niche, it is confident that the years to come will definitely see the company not only make a difference to the country but also to the environment, at large.
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