India has set ambitious targets for renewable energy deployment, aiming to achieve a substantial share of its energy mix from clean sources. The renewable energy industry in India presents immense opportunities for investment, job creation, and sustainable development. A prominent player in the renewable energy sector is Vishakha Renewables. Under the able leadership of Akshat Doshi, Director, Vishakha Renewables has positioned itself as a leading player in the renewable energy industry, offering high-quality ancillaries and innovative solutions that contribute to the growth and sustainability of the sector. Let’s dive into this interaction to know more about Akshat Doshi and his success saga in this industry.
Give an overview of your educational journey and previous industry experience that has provided you with the necessary skills and expertise to thrive in the business world.
During my educational journey, I obtained a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Ahmedabad University. I further pursued my studies and completed an MSc in Management from Warwick University in the United Kingdom.
To enhance my understanding of business organizations and decision-making processes, I participated in executive courses on Judgement & Decision Making in Business Organizations at the London School of Economics. Additionally, I undertook an executive course in Investments & Human Resource Management at UC Berkeley in the United States.
Before embarking on my solar venture, I held the position of General Manager of Operations & Projects at Vishakha Polyfab, which is the flexible packaging arm of the group. This role provided me with valuable experience and insights into managing operations and projects within a corporate setting.
What are the primary business challenges you encounter in your present position, and how do you tackle them?
Since transitioning into a leadership role, my most significant challenge revolves around effectively recruiting and retaining the right individuals for the group. Additionally, it is crucial for me to stay abreast of evolving technologies and successfully execute projects within unprecedented timelines. To address these challenges, we establish benchmarks for our operations and project execution. Working collaboratively with the team, we analyze data-driven insights and strive to achieve these benchmarks, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Please elaborate on your proficiency in the renewable energy industry and how you are fostering growth within your company.
At Vishakha Group, we consider ourselves a manufacturing company rather than being confined to a specific industry. Our core expertise lies in mass manufacturing, ensuring optimal cost efficiency. Our approach entails acquiring cutting-edge technology, recruiting highly skilled professionals, and dedicating resources to develop innovative products.
A central philosophy we embrace is the belief that every individual within our company is an entrepreneur, and their respective departments serve as profit centers. This empowers our employees with the freedom to utilize their allocated budgets as they see fit, provided they achieve thriving results. By fostering a culture of autonomy and accountability, we aim to drive growth and encourage the entrepreneurial spirit within our organization.
How do you motivate your workforce to attain higher performance levels, and what underpins your leadership philosophy?
As a business leader, I'm a staunch advocate of leading by example and embodying my principles daily. I adhere to a distinct philosophy: if I'm not prepared to tackle a task personally, it's unrealistic to expect my team to do so. Thus, I readily engage in hands-on work alongside my team, setting a positive precedent and nurturing a sense of unity.
Within our organization, we cultivate an environment conducive to growth, anchoring our approach in guiding tenets. These include transparent and candid communication, receptiveness to novel ideas from all quarters, direct and comprehensive 360-degree feedback, well-defined goal expectations, respecting expertise, explaining tasks' significance, and fostering personal and professional advancement.
As a business leader, I'm a staunch advocate of leading by example & embodying my principles daily
How do you ensure that you stay aligned with the continuous advancements in the industry and the world of technology? How do you adapt to these developments?
To stay aligned with industry advancements and technological developments, our company has a team of PHDs focused on pioneering next-gen products. We actively follow and sometimes set trends in the industry. Collaborations with research institutes and participation in global exhibitions and conferences help us stay informed about changing customer needs. This allows us to adapt our strategies and products accordingly, ensuring we remain agile and adaptive in the ever-evolving market.
What has been the most challenging business task you've faced in your career? How did you overcome it?
Throughout my career, I have faced and overcome several significant business challenges. These include setting up a Greenfield project in Indonesia during the COVID-19 pandemic, commissioning India's largest Anodising unit, and establishing India's largest Greenfield Solar Glass Furnace. Despite visa restrictions, travel limitations, and limited prior experience in certain sectors, the individual successfully completed these projects using innovative approaches, resourcefulness, and effective communication. These accomplishments demonstrate their ability to overcome obstacles and achieve impressive results within tight timelines.
What type of vision is necessary for successful business leadership? Could you please elaborate on your visionary approach?
A successful business leadership requires a comprehensive vision that includes understanding customer needs, staying updated with changing technology, and hiring and retaining the right talent. It is crucial to foster a collective vision embraced by the entire team at all levels of the organization. This customer-centric and innovative approach, combined with a positive work culture, leads to organizational success and growth.
Could you provide insights into your upcoming Greenfield solar glass manufacturing facility?
Vishakha Glass's Greenfield solar furnace is India's largest, capable of producing 660TPD equivalent to 4 GW of Solar panels. The fully integrated plant minimizes manual glass handling, aligning with our sustainable practices by utilizing only non-polluting LNG instead of conventional fuels. Positioned in Mundra, Gujarat, the strategic location ensures proximity to raw materials, power, and a nearby port. This cutting-edge facility, a first-of-its-kind in India, is poised to contribute significantly to the sector. Upon successful commissioning, we aspire to expand capacity by an additional 8 GW with growing expertise.
How do you intend to tackle potential challenges or constraints within solar glass production?
Presently, solar glass manufacturing lacks governmental support, lacking both BCD and Anti-dumping duty. Urging the GOI for a balanced platform to encourage further investments, discussions with the government are underway. This sector is pivotal for India's solar power generation, encompassing crucial aspects of quality and the supply chain. Notably, all essential raw materials are domestically available, exemplifying the essence of the Make in India initiative. Upon achieving anticipated efficiencies in Phase I of the glass project, a Phase II with twice the capacity is already in the pipeline.
