Women in Leadership: Salloni Ghodawat’s Journey as COO of Ghodawat Consumer Ltd.

An interview with Salloni Ghodawat, Director & COO of Ghodawat Consumer Ltd.

In this insightful interview, we speak with Salloni Ghodawat, Director and COO of Ghodawat Consumer Ltd. With a dynamic approach to leadership and a commitment to innovation, Salloni shares her vision for the company and the consumer goods industry.

She discusses the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, as well as her passion for sustainability and community engagement, which are integral to Ghodawat’s mission.

How does Ghodawat Consumer Ltd. integrate sustainability into its product development and business operations?

Salloni Ghodawat: Ghodawat Consumer Ltd. (GCL) has prioritized sustainability in its operations, following a multifaceted approach to reduce its environmental footprint.

The company remains dedicated to decarburization practices by embracing energy-efficient technologies, as well as exploring carbon capture processes in tandem with national and international environmental objectives.

Primarily, we strive for net-zero emissions and operate in sync with initiatives such as the Indian Carbon Market. In addition, we promote a circular economy by emphasizing upon recycling of products and waste reduction.

Our venture also employs environment- friendly packaging options, adhering to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) rules, which guarantees appropriate resource usage and waste management.

In the food sector, GCL supports sustainable agriculture by sourcing ingredients responsibly and promoting plant-based and alternative-protein products.

All in all, these measures reinforce organic and regenerative farming methods and fall in line with government-backed programs like the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY).

Can you share any insights into the company’s approach to innovation, particularly in terms of expanding into new sectors or product categories?

Salloni Ghodawat: At GCL, we offer wide-ranging products across categories such as daily essentials, beverages and snacks. Moreover, we strive to diversify and expand into newer categories to meet the ever-evolving consumer demands.

In the recent past, our strategic acquisitions of Coolberg and TBH in non-alcoholic beverages and plant-based snacks respectively, has strengthened our offerings in niche markets.

Aiming to drive innovation in a competitive market, our rebranding efforts for Star Brand oils are already enhancing our product image while targeting consumers in the regional markets.

What strategies does GCL have to build a strong brand presence in domestic and international markets?

Salloni Ghodawat: We believe that building a strong brand presence involves nurturing meaningful connections with consumers along with adapting to their needs. Therefore, in the domestic market, GCL has effectively put in place celebrity endorsements.

Recently, we collaborated with actress Raveena Tandon for a high-impact TVC campaign for our Star Brand oils.

This campaign aided in strengthening our brand recall and trust among consumers. On top of this, as we are backed by an extensive network of over 2,500 distributors, we ensure that our products are accessible, whether in bustling cities or remote rural areas.

At the global front, GCL has made its mark by participating in prestigious events like SIAL Paris, where we showcased our innovative brands like Coolberg and TBH.

Such platforms allow us to connect with international distributors and retailers while spotlighting niche offerings. Over time, by understanding global preferences, GCL has been successful in carving a unique identity for itself on the world’s stage.

How does GCL ensure quality and consistency across its diverse product portfolio?

Salloni Ghodawat: Excellence and reliability form the cornerstone of everything we do. In this context, we believe that every product we offer ought to meet the highest quality standards; we take pride in ensuring just that across our portfolio.

To begin with, responsible sourcing is our main strategy. We endeavor to meet international standards such as the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) to ensure complete traceability of our products, right from the farm to the manufacturing process.

Likewise, the sources of all the ingredients we acquire are ethical, comprising sustainable farming methods and no-burning regulations.

Our application of revolutionary technologies includes supply chain monitoring, risk assessments and testing product quality and sustainability with a focus on independent verification and compliance.

With the growing focus on corporate social responsibility, how is GCL contributing to social and environmental causes?

Salloni Ghodawat: Under the Sanjay Ghodawat Foundation, we have organized blood banks in regions like Haroli, Sambhajipur, Jaysingpur, and Jainapur in the past.

Additionally, the Foundation has been instrumental in providing infrastructure and covering costs for the day-to-day operations of the Lions Clubs of Miraj’s Visually-Impaired School.

Besides, GCL is committed towards sustainable practices through waste reduction and water conservation initiatives.

In 2022-23, we successfully recycled approx. 912 MT of plastic and harvested 23,367 KL of rainwater. Aside from this, our environmental strategy includes a 1640 kW solar plant which generates2593 MWh and 2.5 MW wind turbines. Looking ahead, we aim to achieve a target of zero landfill and water neutrality by 2030.

As our conversation with Salloni Ghodawat wraps up, her dedication to driving growth and innovation at Ghodawat Consumer Ltd. shines through. Her insights into the evolving consumer landscape and commitment to sustainability highlight the company’s forward-thinking approach.

With Salloni at the helm, Ghodawat Consumer Ltd. is poised to make a significant impact in the industry, inspiring others to embrace change and prioritize responsible business practices.

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