CG inaugurates its first Global Design Centre (G.D.C.) for motors

•   To fulfill ever‐evolving market needs for industrial products
•   Reduce time to market for technologically advanced products
•   Solutions : commercial motors and highly engineered medium voltage motors and generators

Avantha Group Company CG opened its very first Global Design Centre, or G.D.C., in Bhopal, India thereby boosting its support to customers globally for ever‐evolving market needs in oil and gas, cement, mining and metals, water treatment, electrical transportation, power, to name a few .The Global Design Centre’s key markets would include countries spread across South East Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe.

CG’s Global Design Centre is unique insofar as being the nerve centre of the design and development of advanced technological solutions for CG’s projects globally. It will synergise teams across regions, cross‐ pollinate ideas, co‐create, and deploy best practices leading to the optimisation of CG’s global network of engineering resources and manufacturing facilities to consequence highly integrated innovative products and technologies.

The product portfolio would cover commercial motors and highly engineered medium voltage motors and generators that will be developed as per customer demand in a single location. Other offerings include LV/MV Motors up to 25 MW, Synchronous Machines up to 70 MVA and the LV/MV development of AC drives.

CG’s global technology pool will thrive through effective international collaboration, and with the support of 90 local service centres in more than 15 countries. G.D.C. currently has over 150 designers working globally. The centre is designated to offer a centralised system of customising CG’s products that would reflect global standards across geographies.

CG’s Global Research Centre in Mumbai is the hub of technology development for all of CG’s businesses. By integrating the G.D.C.in Bhopal, it further reinforces CG’s global network of centres located in Canada, Belgium, Spain, Newark Hungary, Germany, Sweden and India.The G.D. C will support, address and sustain the current and emerging business objectives of CG’s Industrial portfolio.

Commenting on the inauguration of the new facility,Avantha Group Company CG’s CEO and
Managing Director Laurent Demortier said “The Global Design Centre reiterates CG’s commitment

towards developing energy‐efficient and technologically advanced products of a high quality that require a minimum long‐term investment and that reduce lead time in the market. The G.D.C. enables synergies of expertise by closely integrating CG’s centres of excellence around the globe, for the purpose of fuelling innovation and accelerating development”.

About CG

Avantha Group Company CG is a global pioneering leader in the management and application of electrical energy. With more than 15,000 employees across its operations in around 85 countries, CG provides electrical products, systems and services for utilities, power generation, industries, and consumers. The company is organized into four business groups: Power, Industrial, Automation, and Consumer. CG clocks US$ 2.3 billion in revenues from product lines that cover the entire value chain of engineering offerings.

For more information on CG, please visit: www.cgglobal.com.

About Avantha

The Rs. 25,000 crores (US$4bn) Avantha Group is one of India's leading business conglomerates. Its successful entities in diversified sectors include Crompton Greaves (power transmission and distribution equipment and services), BILT (paper and pulp), The Global Green Company Limited (food processing), Biltech Building Elements Limited (infrastructure), Avantha Power (energy), Salient Business Solutions Limited (IT and ITES), Jg Glass (glass container).

With a global footprint, the Group operates in 90 countries with more than 25,000 employees worldwide. Led by GautamThapar, Avantha demonstrates strong leadership globally and emerges as a focused corporate, leveraging its knowledge, leadership and operations, adding lasting value for its stakeholders and investors.

For more information on Avantha, please visit: www.avanthagroup.com.

For further information, please contact:

Ms. Paula Sengupta
Global Head ‐ Communications
CG (Crompton Greaves Limited)
CG House, 10th floor
Worli, Mumbai 400 030, India
T: +91 22 24237516 / 67558771
paula.sengupta@cgglobal.com

Mrs. Shravani Dang
Vice President
Group Head – Corporate Communications
Avantha Group, 1st floor, Thapar House,
24, Janpath Lane, New Delhi 110 001
Tel (D): +91 11 41699282 Tel (B): +91 11 23368332
s.dang@avanthagroup.com

CG expands its RMU capacity to cater to the Indian Subcontinent

• To address larger goal of cutting power distribution losses
• Expansion of domestic footprint, investment of INR 100 mn
• Production capacity more than doubled to produce 1,000 RMUs per month

Avantha Group Company CG’s joint venture – CG Lucy, today inaugurated its new Ring Main Unit (RMU) production facility at Nashik, India. Incorporated in 1994, CG Lucy Switchgear Ltd. is a joint venture company between CG and W. Lucy & Co. Ltd., Oxford, U.K. The facility offers RMUs for enhancing the efficiency of power distribution networks, preventing transformer burnouts and is equipped with a partial discharge testing facility up to 33kV.

The new facility is the fruition of CG’s expansion strategy in the domestic market. CG Lucy has more than doubled its capacity to produce 1000 RMUs per month for the growing demand of reliable and secure power supply in the rapidly expanding Indian subcontinent. Built with an investment of INR 100 million, this plant is spread across an area of 3500 square meters and aims to employ approximately 200 people.

This plant is specially equipped with an Automated Sealant preparation process, a Robotic Welding setup and a Partial Discharge test facility for producing High Quality and Reliable products. It will produce RMUs for the expansion of power distribution networks for utilities, especially in megacities, industries, infrastructure projects and buildings with a huge power demand. Compact, lightweight and easy to install, these RMUs isolate the faulty section, ensuring continuous power supply to end users. They can be universally applied across 12kV/
24kV distribution controls in network distribution, for e.g. the municipality,compact substations, buildings, complexes, hospitals and industries.

In 2013, CG won the largest contract for the Design, Engineering, Manufacture, Supply, Erection, Testing and Commissioning of 11kV and 22kV  RMUs and associated materials in consortium with the ECC Division of L&T Ltd. This order primarily includes the supply of 3,283
RMUs to the Tamil Nadu Generation & Distribution Corporation Limited (TANGEDCO), for their
Restructured Accelerated Power Development and to the Reforms Programme (R‐APDRP) in seven cities of Tamil Nadu.

Power distribution losses in India are approximately INR 600‐650 bn. CG holds a market share of 18 percent in the distribution switchgear market.

Commenting on the inauguration of the new facility, Lucy Switchgear Chairman, Richard Dick, said: I am very pleased to be here in Nashik to  mark the inauguration of this new RMU manufacturing facility. This will provide a significant increase in capacity to enable CG Lucy to meet a growing demand in India for RMUs and allied equipment. The latest techniques will be employed to ensure that CG Lucy's reputation as a first class supplier is maintained and additional engineering resources will be available so that new customer specific requirements can be met. I congratulate the CG Lucy team on completing this fine new building.

Commenting on the inauguration of the new facility, Avantha Group Company CG’s CEO and Managing Director Laurent Demortier averred: “I commend the CG Lucy team for this new feat. It is our proud privilege to have partnered with Lucy switchgear ‐ a 100+ year old leader in secondary power distribution solutions. This is our second RMU facility which is an example of cutting edge medium voltage design and innovation. The new facility reinforces CG’s strategic business intent to further expand its domestic footprint to offer best‐in‐class electrical products and solutions to the megacities of the Indian subcontinent where distribution losses are a major concern.”

About CG

Avantha Group Company CG is a global pioneering leader in the management and application of electrical energy. With more than 15,000 employees across its operations in around 85 countries, CG provides electrical products, systems and services for utilities, power generation, industries, and consumers. The company is organized into four business groups: Power, Industrial, Automation, and Consumer. CG clocks US$ 2.3 billion in revenues from product lines that cover the entire value chain of engineering offerings.

For more information on CG, please visit: www.cgglobal.com.

About Avantha

The Rs. 25,000 crores (US$4bn) Avantha Group is one of India's leading business conglomerates. Its successful entities in diversified sectors include Crompton Greaves (power transmission and distribution

equipment and services), BILT (paper and pulp), The Global Green Company Limited (food processing), Biltech Building Elements Limited (infrastructure), Avantha Power (energy), Salient Business Solutions Limited (IT and ITES), Jg Glass (glass container).

With a global footprint, the Group operates in 90 countries with more than 25,000 employees worldwide. Led by GautamThapar, Avantha demonstrates strong leadership globally and emerges as a focused corporate, leveraging its knowledge, leadership and operations, adding lasting value for its stakeholders and investors.

For more information on Avantha, please visit: www.avanthagroup.com.

For further information, please contact:
Ms. Paula Sengupta
Global Head ‐ Communications
CG (Crompton Greaves Limited)
CG House, 10th floor
Worli, Mumbai 400 030, India
T: +91 22 24237516 / 67558771
paula.sengupta@cgglobal.com

Mrs. Shravani Dang
Vice President
Group Head – Corporate Communications
Avantha Group, 1st floor, Thapar House,
24, Janpath Lane, New Delhi 110 001
Tel (D): +91 11 41699282 Tel (B): +91 11 23368332
s.dang@avanthagroup.com

Dr. Jan Declercq
Chief Technology Officer
CG
Antwerpsesteenweg 167
2800 Mechelen, Belgium
T: +32 15 283 240
jan.declercq@cgglobal.com

CG, as part of the FICG consortium, receives order in excess of €150 mio, for the offshore wind project “Gemini” in the Netherlands

•   Design, deliver and install 2 HV offshore substations and 1 HV onshore substation
•   Supply and secure low carbon electricity to over 785,000 households
•   Reduce emissions of 1,250,000 tons of CO2

Avantha Group Company CG, along with the other consortium partners Fabricom and Iemants, has been selected by Van Oord, for the offshore wind project “Gemini” in the Netherlands. As part of the scope CG, will design, deliver and install 2 high voltage (HV) offshore substations and 1 HV onshore substation. The volume of the order for the consortium is in excess of €150Mn. CG’s scope covers approx.30% of the overall contract.The project is expected to start in the second quarter of 2014 and to be completed in 2016.

The Gemini project consists of 2 offshore wind farms i.e. Buitengaats (300MW) and ZeeEnergie (300MW) and is located 85 kms north of the island of Schiermonnikoog in the Dutch North Sea. The total 600MW of installed capacity will produce electricity for over 785,000 households which equals a reduction in emissions of 1,250,000 tons of CO2.

To achieve the desired development potential of this project, CG will design and engineer the overall electrical HV system, manufacture and  supply all key equipment and connect the onshore substation to the 400 kV Tennet high voltage grid.

Furthermore, the Gemini project builds on CG’s successful track record. It is the 10th offshore grid connection project secured since 2008. CG’s connecting technology and products have been chosen for its high reliability, high performance and cost effectiveness.Over the past years CG has developed an innovative AC connection link for offshore wind farms. CG’s proven technology already used in other platforms on the North Sea (a.o.Belwind, Humber Gateway, Northwind) has minimal weight, hence lowers costs and is designed for optimal and minimal maintenance compared with traditional high voltage AC or DC solutions.

Avantha Group Company CG’s CEO and Managing Director Laurent Demortier said: “We are delighted that Van Oord has awarded CG a ‘further order’.The transaction is consistent with our renewable energy strategy. It provides yet another opportunity to utilize CG’s unique technology & expertise in wind offshore connection (HVAC) and to assist the Government and our clients in reducing carbon emissions and increasing the supply of green energy”.

About CG

Avantha Group Company CG is a global pioneering leader in the management and application of electrical energy. With more than 15,000 employees across its operations in around 85 countries, CG provides electrical products, systems and services for utilities, power generation, industries, and consumers.The company is organized into four business groups: Power, Industrial, Automation, and Consumer. CG clocks US$ 2.3 billion in revenues from product lines that cover the entire value chain of engineering offerings.

For more information on CG, please visit: www.cgglobal.com.

About Avantha

The Rs. 25,000 crores (US$4bn) Avantha Group is one of India's leading business conglomerates. Its successful entities in diversified sectors include Crompton Greaves (power transmission and distribution equipment and services), BILT (paper and pulp), The Global Green Company Limited (food processing), Biltech Building Elements Limited (infrastructure), Avantha Power (energy), Salient Business Solutions Limited (IT and ITES), Jg Glass (glass containers)


With a global footprint, the Group operates in 90 countries with more than 25,000 employees worldwide. Led by Gautam Thapar, Avantha demonstrates strong leadership globally and emerges as a focused corporate, leveraging its knowledge, leadership and operations, adding lasting value for its stakeholders and investors.

For more information on Avantha, please visit :  www.avanthagroup.com
For further information, please contact:

Ms. Paula Sengupta
Global Head ‐ Communications
CG (Crompton Greaves Limited)
CG House, 10th floor
Worli, Mumbai 400 030, India
T: +91 22 24237516 / 67558771
paula.sengupta@cgglobal.com

Mrs. Shravani Dang
Vice President
Group Head – Corporate Communications
Avantha Group, 1st floor, Thapar House,
24, Janpath Lane, New Delhi 110 001
Tel (D): +91 11 41699282 Tel (B): +91 11 23368332
s.dang@avanthagroup.com

Dr. Jan Declercq
Chief Technology Officer
CG
Antwerpsesteenweg 167
2800 Mechelen, Belgium
T: +32 15 283 240
jan.declercq@cgglobal.com

CG wins Frost & Sullivan Strategy, Innovation and Leadership Award

•   Award won in the HV Power Transmission Market category
•   For Navigational Positioning, Execution Excellence, Technological Sophistication and Total Customer    Experience
•   Preferred local partner for 550kV EHV Power Transformer in Indonesia.

Avantha Group Company CG has won recognition for its innovative technology and market leadership in Southeast Asia and the Pacific. CG bagged the prestigious 2014 Frost & Sullivan Southeast Asia Competitive Strategy Innovation & Leadership Award in the HV Power Transmission Market category. The Award is a major achievement for CG and underscores its relentless efforts and outstanding performance in this region.

The Competitive Strategy Innovation & Leadership Award recognises companies which have exhibited competitive strategy leadership, display excellence in product innovation, and effectively respond to customer requirements in the market.

CG cleared a rigorous screening and assessment process, based on Frost & Sullivan’s research on its publication, the ‘Southeast Asia HV Transmission Market Report’. The finalists for the award were then shortlisted after interviews with key market participants along with extensive secondary and technology research. CG emerged as the eventual winner after comparative scores on four criteria were analysed: Navigational Positioning, Execution Excellence, Technological Sophistication and Total Customer Experience.

The Southeast Asia and Pacific Region is a key market for CG’s export strategy. CG is the first company in Southeast Asia to design, manufacture and test 500 kV transformers locally. Its power transformer plant at Bogor, Indonesia, recently won an order worth USD 29 million from PT PLN Indonesia to supply Extra High Voltage transformers for the Indonesian electricity transmission network. The Bogor facility is equipped to design, manufacture and test transformers of up to 500 MVA, 550 kV class, and also caters to markets such as Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and South America. CG has also invested more than USD 15 million to build a 550 kV Extra High Voltage Test Lab in Indonesia. As part of its growth strategy in Indonesia and Southeast Asia, CG has also entered into a joint venture with PT PLN Indonesia to manufacture high‐voltage Switchgear products of up to 500 kV class locally in Indonesia. This makes CG a preferred local partner for power plant transformers in this region.

The new recognition follows in quick succession to CG winning the National Intellectual Property (IP) Award, 2014, in the category of‘Top Organisation in Designs’ presented by the Indian Intellectual Property Office and Confederation of Indian Industry.

Commenting on  the  Award, Avantha Group Company CG’s  CEO  and  Managing Director, Laurent Demortier, said: “I am proud to know that CG has won the prestigious Frost & Sullivan Award this year. The recognition will further bolster our untiring efforts in providing globally benchmarked solutions to the key markets in Southeast Asia and the Pacific. I thank Frost & Sullivan for selecting us for this honour, and congratulate the entire CG team for their untiring efforts towards achieving excellence.”

About CG

Avantha Group Company CG is a global pioneering leader in the management and application of electrical energy. With more than 15,000 employees across its operations in around 85 countries, CG provides electrical products, systems and services for utilities, power generation, industries, and consumers. The company is organized into four business groups: Power, Industrial, Automation, and Consumer. CG clocks US$ 2.3 billion in revenues from product lines that cover the entire value chain of engineering offerings.

For more information on CG, please visit: http://www.cgglobal.com

About Avantha

The Rs. 25,000 crores (US$4bn) Avantha Group is one of India’s leading business conglomerates. Its successful entities in diversified sectors include Crompton Greaves (power transmission and distribution equipment and services), BILT (paper and pulp), The Global Green Company Limited (food processing), Biltech Building Elements Limited (infrastructure), Avantha Power (energy), Salient Business Solutions Limited (IT and ITES), Jg Glass (glass containers)

With a global footprint, the Group operates in 90 countries with more than 25,000 employees worldwide. Led by Gautam Thapar, Avantha demonstrates strong leadership globally and emerges as a focused corporate, leveraging its knowledge, leadership and operations, adding lasting value for its stakeholders and investors.

For more information on Avantha, please visit www.avanthagroup.com

For further information, please contact:

Ms. Paula Sengupta
Global Head ‐ Communications
CG (Crompton Greaves Limited)
CG House, 10th floor
Worli, Mumbai 400 030, India
T: +91 22 24237516 / 67558771 paula.sengupta@cgglobal.com

Mrs. Shravani Dang
Vice President
Group Head – Corporate Communications
Avantha Group, 1st floor, Thapar House,
24, Janpath Lane, New Delhi 110 001
Tel (D): +91 11 41699282 Tel (B): +91 11 23368332 s.dang@avanthagroup.com

Mr. Hemant Lakhotiya,
President SEA & Pacific Region
PTCG Power Systems Indonesia
Alamanda Building, 18th floor
JITB Simatupang Kav 23-24, Jakarta 12430
Tel: +62 21 29660052 | Hemant.lakhotiya@cgglobal.com

CG wins USD 29 million order to upgrade the Indonesian Electricity grid

CG wins USD 29 million order to upgrade the  Indonesian Electricity grid

∙  Transformers to be manufactured in CG’s state‐of‐the‐art factory at Bogor, Indonesia
∙  New order will reduce PT PLN’s import dependence
∙  Order consolidates CG’s position in South‐East Asian market

Avantha Group Company CG’s Power Transformer plant at Indonesia has won an order worth USD 29 million from PT PLN Indonesia to supply Extra High Voltage transformers for its Indonesian electricity transmission network.The order involves supply of 500kV,275kV and 150kV power transformers, which will be installed across PT PLN’s transmission network in Java and Sumatra islands.

PT PLN (Perusahaan Listrik Negara) is the sole Indonesian government‐owned corporation in electricity generation,transmission and distribution in Indonesia.Through   deployment of CG’s power transformers, PT PLN will be able to lessen its dependence on import of heavy equipment, while simultaneously executing timely implementation of its transmission network strengthening programme.

CG’s power transformers maximise space utility with their compact design and achieve optimum energy efficiency through low levels of losses. The reduced degree of noise and partial discharge also make the transformers a preferred choice for strengthening transmission networks.
The manufacturing of the new orders from PT PLN will be undertaken at CG’s world‐class transformer factory located in Bogor,Indonesia.The facility is equipped to  design, manufacture and test transformers up to 550kV class locally in Indonesia.

The new order shows increased trust by PT PLN in CG’s manufacturing expertise in this segment and will further bolster its position as a key provider of high‐voltage transformers in the South East Asian market.The order comes on the back of CG’s successful completion of a similar first order in September
2013.

Speaking about the latest order, Avantha Group Company CG’s CEO & Managing Director, Laurent Demortier, said: “I would like to thank PT PLN Indonesia for placing its continued trust in CG’s energy products and technological expertise in the Ultra High Voltage (UHV) and Extra High Voltage (EHV) segments. Indonesia is a key strategic geography for CG, and the order sanctions the large investment done to bring state‐of‐the‐art EHV solutions to the country. CG will be able to exclusively cater to the localised needs of PT PLN through its exhaustive range of power transformers in Indonesia. In line with CG’s export strategy the Indonesian plant will cater to markets such as Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and South America.”

About CG

Avantha Group Company CG is a global pioneering leader in the management and application of electrical energy. With more than 15,000 employees across its operations in around 85 countries, CG provides electrical products, systems and services for utilities, power generation, industries, and consumers. The company is organized into four business groups: Power, Industrial, Automation, and Consumer. CG clocks US$ 2.3 billion in revenues from product lines that cover the entire value chain of engineering offerings.
CG’s Automation headquarters located in Bilbao, Spain, hosts the center of excellence for the development of CG’s smart grid solutions commercialized under the ZIV® brand.
For more information on CG, please visit: www.cgglobal.com.
About Avantha
The Rs. 25,000 crores (US$4bn) Avantha Group is one of India’s leading business conglomerates. Its successful entities in diversified sectors include Crompton Greaves (power transmission and distribution equipment and services), BILT (paper and pulp), The Global Green Company Limited (food processing), Biltech Building Elements Limited (infrastructure), Avantha Power (energy), Salient Business Solutions Limited (IT and ITES), Jg Glass (glass containers)
With a global footprint, the Group operates in 90 countries with more than 25,000 employees worldwide. Led by Gautam Thapar, Avantha demonstrates strong leadership globally and emerges as a focused corporate, leveraging its knowledge, leadership and operations, adding lasting value for its stakeholders and investors.
For more information on Avantha, please visit www.avanthagroup.com.
For further information, please contact:

Ms. Paula Sengupta
Global Head Communications
CG (Crompton Greaves Limited)
CG House, 10th floor
Worli, Mumbai 400 030, India  
T: +91 22 24237516 / 67558771
paula.sengupta@cgglobal.com

Mrs Shravani Dang
Vice President & Group Head of Corporate Communications
Avantha Group
Thapar House, 124 Janpath
New Delhi 110001
Phone: 011 41699282
Email: s.dang@avanthagroup.com

Mr. Hemant Lakhotiya President SEA & Pacific Region PT CG Power Systems Indonesia
Alamanda Building, 18th floor,
JL TB Simatupang Kav 23‐24,
Jakarta 12430
Tel : +62 21 29660052
hemant.lakhotiya@cgglobal.com

Avantha Foundation and Swaniti partner

•     Avantha  Foundation  and  Swaniti  partner  to  further  advocacy  efforts  to mitigate hunger and malnutrition

•   Initiative to engage elected representatives and other key stakeholders

•   Roundtable organised at Bhubaneshwar, Odisha

•     Odisha  Health  Minister,  Dr.  Damodar  Rout,  inaugurated  event,  MLAs attended

New Delhi/Bhubaneshwar:- Avantha Foundation and Swaniti, an NGO, have come together in a unique initiative to actively engage with elected representatives in Odisha, and share knowledge to build awareness on the critical issues of hunger and malnutrition. This is part of the Foundation’s larger objective to encourage  dialogue  and  catalyse  involvement  across  party  lines  to  address  these critical issues in different states in the country, so that elected representatives across India, as key policy makers, can drive and enact policies to mitigate hunger and malnourishment.

The consultative session was hosted today (Friday, December 13th) in Bhubaneshwar, and featured a roundtable discussion with MLAs. Avantha Foundation and Swaniti  plan to continue to engage with these MLAs over the next few years to strengthen their involvement in addressing these issues within their constituencies.

Titled the “Knowledge Seminar”, the roundtable was inaugurated by Dr. Damodar Rout, Honourable Health Minister of Odisha, who delivered the opening address. The event featured separate talks by leading experts on best practices in mitigating hunger and malnourishment, sharing of current status at ground level on these issues, and success stories from government officials and NGOs who have been implementing key programmes. The session included a discussion on next steps that could be initiated by MLAs on how they can take this forward. Avantha - Swaniti also made a presentation on how best to combat the menace of malnutrition.

The urgency in tackling the menace of hunger and malnutrition, and enabling policy change  to address the challenge, is underscored by the fact that as per the Avantha Foundation supported HUNGaMA Survey 2011, conducted in 112 rural districts of India, it was found that 42.3% children were underweight and 58.8% children were stunted, necessitating serious policy intervention to address the challenge.

About the Avantha Foundation:

The Avantha Foundation is a not for profit organisation established with the objective of making a sustained impact on the quality of life of communities by pioneering and advocating key development issues that are of national concern. The Foundation seeks to bring about systemic changes through strategic interventions, and by partnering with a broad range of stakeholders like NGOs, the government and multilateral agencies to help  usher  in  policy  level  changes  in  favour  of  the  underprivileged  and  the disadvantaged communities.

  About Swaniti Initiative:

Swaniti Initiative is an open governance initiative that focusses on bringing together the most promising ideas and talented professionals to support the work of progressive leaders, Members of Parliaments and Legislative Assembly, on developmental issues.

For more information please visit www.avanthafoundation.org

For further information please contact: Shravani Dang
VP and Group Head Corporate Communications
s.dang@avanthagroup.com

Avantha Foundation
B-14, Shangrila Garden, Bund Garden Road
Pune 411001 (Maharashtra)
Tel : +91-20-26166489, 26166289
Mobile : +919923861519 www.avanthafoundation.org

Tharoor honours JS Neerav of Avantha Group for his contribution to higher education sector at FICCI function

Tharoor honours JS Neerav of Avantha Group for his

contribution to higher education sector at FICCI function

Neerav is the Vice-Chairman of the Board of Governors of Thapar University, Patiala, Chairman of Thapar

Polytechnic College, Patiala and Executive Director of the Avantha Group’s Education Initiative

Thapar University Vice-Chairman JS Neerav was honoured by Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development Shashi Tharoor at the 9th FICCI Higher Education Summit, 2013 organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). Mr Neerav was felicitated for his contribution to the higher education sector. The central theme of the conference was “Building Networks for Transforming Indian Higher Education: Enabling to Deliver Value”.

Mr JS Neerav is associated with FICCI Higher Education since 2005.  He was co-chairman of the FICCI higher education committee from 2007 to 2009, and continues to be the Federation’s Honorary Adviser.

Mr Neerav worked with Avantha Group company Ballarpur Industries Limited (BILT) for 32 years. He began his illustrious career as Labour Welfare Officer and went on to become the head of the paper business as Group Vice-President.

Since 2003, he is Executive Director of the Avantha Group’s Education Initiative.

Mr Neerav is currently Vice-Chairman of the Board of Governors of Thapar University, Patiala, Chairman of Thapar Polytechnic College, Patiala and member of the governing body of the Avantha Centre for Industrial Research & Development.

About Avantha

The Rs 24,000-crore (US $4bn) Avantha Group is one of India's leading business conglomerates. Its successful entities include BILT, Crompton Greaves, The Global Green Company, Avantha Power & Infrastructure, Solaris ChemTech Industries, Biltech Building Elements, Salient Business Solutions and Avantha Technologies. With a global footprint, the Group operates in 90 countries with more than 25,000 employees worldwide. The Group has business interests in diverse areas including power transmission and distribution equipment and services, paper and pulp, energy and infrastructure, food processing, farm forestry,  insurance,  chemicals,  IT  and  ITES.  Led  by  Gautam  Thapar,  Avantha  demonstrates  strong leadership globally and emerges as a focused corporate, leveraging its knowledge, leadership and operations, adding lasting value for its stakeholders and investors.

About Thapar University

Thapar University, founded in 1956, is housed in a 250-acre campus in Patiala, Punjab. In 1985, it was awarded the status of a deemed university, and from then on took a quantum jump with focus on research and development, along with the need to adapt to the changing needs of the industry and the delivery of state-of-the-art  technical  and  engineering  education  in  India.  In  2007,  the  LM  Thapar  School  of Management was inaugurated. It has evolved over the years to provide management education conducive to the dynamic business environment.

Thapar University is committed to developing high quality, professionally groomed technical and engineering manpower possessing multifaceted personality with respect for professional and social ethics, national   values   and   the   spirit   of   human   emancipation.   Thapar   University   believes   in   providing opportunities to students to broaden their horizons and develop cross-cultural perspectives enabling them to engage in the adventure of learning and discovery.

Since its inception, nearly 16,000 students have graduated from the university and proceeded to achieve

greater heights in their professional careers. The alumni have excelled in varied fields such as business and industry, administrative and regulatory services, research and education and social and human rights organizations. Thapar University is committed to contributing to the country’s progress in the field of higher education. The students from Thapar University have found top placements in India and abroad. World-renowned companies include Google Inc., Adobe, Yahoo, Microsoft, Amazon, D C Shaw, Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors, UOP Ltd. L&T, Fidelity Investments, Deloitte, Nomura Software, etc visit the university on a regular basis.

For further information, please contact:

Shravani Dang @ 011-41699282/9811261080
VP&GroupHead,Corporate Communications, Avantha
E-mail: s.dang@avanthagroup.com

Amardeep Singh Tiwana @ 9814046480
Adfactors PR
E-mail: amardeep@adfactorspr.com