CEO Insights Magazine

Even in this day and age, the people influencing skills and domain knowledge are the cornerstone of good leadership. It differentiates great leaders from a plethora of good ones. Kailash Desai(Managing Director, Endress+Hauser India), an award-winning business leader, is the epitome of these exceptional qualities. Endress+Hauser India is one of the global leaders in providing measurement instrumentation services and solutions for industrial process engineering. Joined the company in 2003 as Marketing Director, Asia Pacific(Flowtec), Kailash, over the decades rose through the ranks to become the Managing Director in 2017. He has always been an exceptional leader, winning several awards en route, including the 'Most Trusted CEO of India' award received from the Hon. Minister of Home Affairs of India, G Kishan Reddy. CEO Insights engages in an exclusive interview with Kailash to further explore his journey and the company's latest endeavors.

What are some of the most memorable moments you can recall from your professional journey and the key lessons you carry today?
I would say that over the past 30 years of my professional career, the most memorable moment was when I received an opportunity to take responsibility as the Managing Director of Endress+Hauser India I am also extremely proud that we have invested in the right resources to expand our business. We have diversified our business in terms of segments due to several changes that we made internally and externally.

Throughout my professional journey, I have learned to take risks, think long-term for any strategic decisions, involve the team as much as I can, develop talents and leaders all the while. In all for me a positive mindset and attitude matters a lot which helps any individual to grow at the workplace.

What are your greatest strengths and unique qualities that help you

fulfill your leadership role?
I believe my strategic thinking abilities play an instrumental role in guiding my team. I also don the hat of an activator and a facilitator, an ideator and developer. These abilities help me create a growth environment for my team that exposes them to knowledge as well as challenges and opportunities to apply their learning. My strong relationships accompanied by trust with employees and customers also helps me set a precedent and lead by example. Open and transparent communication encourages new talents to take on new responsibilities as well.

How would you define Endress+Hauser India as an organization?
Endress+Hauser India is a global leader in providing measurement instrumentation services and solutions for industrial process engineering. We offer a wide range of solutions right from flow, level, pressure, analytics & temperature measurement to recording and digital communications, optimizing processes, safety, and much more. We cater across various industries, including chemical, food & beverage, life sciences, power & energy, mining, minerals & metals, oil & gas and water & wastewater.

Our innovative approach and direct sales in the market sets us apart. Besides this, we also have a robust service support infrastructure that caters to clients relentlessly to solve their issues. Furthermore, the wide and diversified range of products also provides us with a competitive edge.

Are there particular market trends or technologies that you plan to adopt?
While the market is increasingly driven by digitalization and IIOT

Compliance, Smart and Intelligent sensors, and a lot of othe futuristic technologies, it goes without saying that we constantly update our inventory to be at the top of the technology game.

Going forward, what kind of role do you plan to shoulder, and the duties are you looking to fulfill along the way? What is the impact you seek to make through your future plans?
There is a lot to do in India still. Given a chance, we would expand our capabilities with other countries as per company rules and guidelines. As far as the future plans are concerned, we are looking forward to growing the business at least two times the market growth. We are also diversifying our solutions as we move forward in different sectors.

Kailash Desai, Managing Director, Endress+Hauser India
Kailash joined Endress+Hauser in 2003 as Marketing Director, Asia Pacific (Flowtec) India and thereafter he led many positions within the company until he took over as Managing Director. With over 30 years of overall experience in the field of Instrumentation and Automation, he brings in strategic and thought leadership expertise from the Industry. In 2019 he was recognized as the 'Most Trusted CEO of India'award at New Delhi by the Honorable Minister, G. Kishan Reddy, Minister of Home Affairs of India. Kailash lives in Mumbai with his wife Pooja and two children-Parth & Prutha.

Hobbies:Trekking, Farming, & Traveling
Favorite Cuisine:Dal Makhanii & Indian bread
Favorite Book:Gallup's Strengths Finder
Favorite Travel Destination: Switzerland

Awards & Recognition:
·The 'Most Trusted CEO of India' award at New Delhi by the Honorable Minister, G Kishan Reddy, Minister of Home Affairs of India
·Frost & Sullivan Award for Best Company in Instrumentation/Process Automation Sector
·Selected for'IMD Senior Leadership Program' at IMD, Switzerland
·Nominated for ET Now 'India's Leader of Tomorrow Award'
·Represents Endress+Hauser India as a member at Confederation of Indian Industry(CII), Council of EU Chambers of Commerce in India (EU Chambers), and Indo German Chambers of Commerce and Bombay Chamber of Commerce