Leadership Series @ SIIB ( 12th September 2009 )

Mr. P. P. Chhabria is the Chairman of the Rs. 4000 crore (USD 950 million) Finolex Group of India. Finolex is a well diversified conglomerate with interests in total cables solutions, Petrochemicals, PVC Resin, Pipes & Fittings, Agricultural Drip Irrigation systems, and Education sectors of the economy. Finolex has recently set up a new venture which is a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) System Integration Company by the name of Infotek Software & Systems (P) Ltd. RFID has found its applications across verticals for easy, effective and efficient identification and tracking of living and non-living entities.

The Group’s growth has been led by synergy and integration of its various business operations. Finolex has over the years established its reputation as an innovative leader and quality manufacturer by continuously upgrading technology, modernizing manufacturing facilities and maintaining the highest standards in quality and service.

Finolex today has twelve manufacturing facilities spread across Uttarakhand Roorkee and Maharashtra, Goa on the Western Coast of India employing more than 5000 personnel. The Groups plants are accredited with the IS / ISO 14001 certifications and Six Sigma. Finolex products have won recognition from prestigious agencies such as Underwriters Lab, USA etc and are market leaders in their respective fields. These products are marketed by the representative offices across the length and breadth of India. Finolex also has substantial interests in the export market and has won several awards in this area. Recently they have set up an office in Dubai.

Finolex is bestowed with the Superbrand status, and is India’s only Superbrand cable Company.

The group is in the process of setting up two major projects of 43 MW Thermal power station to be commissioned and at later stage a 1050 MW power project. They are also developing a private port at Ratnagiri.

Finolex actively purses a number of Philanthropic activities. It set up the Hope Foundation of Pune in the year 1979 (year of the child). Finolex actively supports the Foundations activities in the field of education and medical assistance. The Foundation has been instrumental in the setting of Finolex Academy of Management Technology (FAMT) and the International Institute of Information Technology (I²IT). I²IT was dedicated to the nation at the hands of Shri A. P. J. Abdul Kalam Honorable Former President of India on May 28, 2003. I²IT has recently entered into Joint Ventures with universities in Thailand, Indonesia, South Korea, Russia and USA in order to set up collaborative learning centers.

The group is in the process of setting up a hospital and a school at Ratnagiri the Foundation stone of which was laid by the Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture Shri. Sharad Pawarji. The Andhra Pradesh Government has offered 50 acres land to the Finolex Group for starting a school at Tirupati, the foundation stone for this project was laid by Hon’ble Minister Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy recently.

A highly respected figure in the Indian Industry, Mr. P. P. Chhabria is a member of the Executive Committee of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industries (FICCI). He has also served as the President of the Maharatta Chamber of Commerce Industries & Agriculture (MCCIA). Mr. Chhabria also serves on the board of several prominent companies in India. He is a member of the “Bharat Siksha Kosh” a committee set up by the Ministry of HRD, Government of India and is a member of the Board of Advisors of the Goa Institute of Management. Mr. P.P. Chhabria is a member of the Board of Governors of the National Institute of Industrial Engineering, Mumbai (NITIE) and the National Institute of Technology, Srinagar. He is also appointed as the Chancellors nominee on the Management Council of the University of Pune.

Under Mr. Chhabria’s dynamic leadership Finolex was presented the Harvard Business School and Economic Times Award for the Best Corporate Performance and also has been recognised as one of the Hidden Champions of the World by World Link Magazine published by World Economic Forum, Geneva.

Hard Work, dedication, quality service and integrity have been key factors that have given Mr. Chhabria an eminent place among the nation’s industrialists. He is the recipient of many prominent awards among them being “Successful Businessman of the Year Award” by the Priyadarshini Academy for his outstanding contribution to the industry. He was awarded the “Pune’s Pride for Excellence in the Corporate World” by Residency Club and the “Udyog Ratna Award” by the Delhi Telgu Academy. He has been conferred the “Pimpri Chinchwad Bhushan Award” in recognition of his meritorious work in the industry. Mr. Chhabria received the award from Giants International the first and only India based International service organization for his outstanding contribution in the field of “Business and Industry”. Mr. P.P. Chhabria was recently presented “Sindhu Gaurav” award by The International Sindhu Chamber of Commerce, Pune for his contribution to Indian manufacturing Industry, Higher Education & Service to the Community.

Prahlad Chhabria, has been honoured at the prestigious Institute of Directors in London with a silver platter in recognition of his contribution to 'entrepreneurship'.

Chairman of the UK-India Business Council Lord Karan Bilimoria presented on 6^th May 08 the silver platter at a function organised to celebrate the launch of Chhabria's autobiography 'There's no such thing as self-made man', a fascinating book depicting his rise from humble beginnings to Chairman of a leading Indian business enterprise.

Mr. Chhabria’s autobiography was released at Pune on the 8^th of March 08 by the Hon’ble Finance Minister Shri. Jayantrao Patil.

Pursuing other interests, Mr. Chhabria has traveled widely and is an avid reader. He also takes keen interest in spirituality and takes time off to visit several holy places.