Lumax appoints a Executive Director

Ketkale has over three decades of expertise and is a senior industry veteran who has held a number of critical positions during his time at Toyota Kirloskar Motors (TKML).

Gurugram- Lumax Industries Ltd., of the Lumax-DK Jain group has appointed Mr. Raju B Ketkale as the Executive Director of Manufacturing & Corporate Planning’ effective October 3, 2023. He will be based at the corporate headquarters in Gurugram and closely work with the leadership team.

According to the company, Ketkale has over three decades of expertise and is a senior industry veteran who has held a number of critical positions during his time at Toyota Kirloskar Motors (TKML). He most recently served as TKML's Executive Vice President for Manufacturing and Board Member.

In order to achieve cost competitiveness and manufacturing excellence, he successfully oversaw significant structural reforms in manufacturing, technical function, and people development. He also created a leadership pipeline that is prepared to take on the challenges of new technology, electrification, carbon neutrality, and digitisation. As the project manager for the Toyota-Suzuki alliance, he was also working closely with Suzuki, Japan, and Maruti Suzuki India. He is credited with successfully launching the first hybrid vehicle project for India and export markets.

Mr. Deepak Jain, Chairman, Lumax-DK Jain Group said that, We are thrilled to have Ketkale join our executive team. His tremendous passion for encouraging organizational transformation coupled with his vast industry and strategic experience will assist Lumax reach new heights, including creating a strong pipeline of internal leaders to prepare the company for the future.

Mr. Anmol Jain, Group MD, Lumax-DK Jain group said that, ‘One Lumax, One Manufacturing System' was the goal of our visioning quest. This new position was created in response to this demand and will assist manufacturing, which is and will continue to be our primary focus. Manufacturing, as we all know, encompasses the entire ecosystem that influences the culture and day-to-day work management and involves much more than just production processes. Given Ketkale's extensive knowledge and wealth of experience, we are eager to collaborate on this business transformation journey.

Ketkale graduated from Bangalore University with a BE in Mechanical and an MA in Machine Design. He received the Energy Compact Award from MNRE, Government of India, on behalf of TKML for reaching RE100 in May 2022. Aiming to achieve plant zero CO2 (RE 100) in the year 2021, he also pushed sustainable operations in TKML and across the value chain in his previous capacity. Toyota recognizes it as the No. 1 plant in the world, and he has successfully built a biodiversity eco-park on top of a building site. He will also get the "MOEF & CII ITC Excellence" award for the Bio diverse park on behalf of TKML in March 2023 for this endeavor.

The DK Jain Group is amongst India's Automotive Lighting manufacturers, founded by Late Shri S C Jain more than seven decades ago, as a trading concern in 1945. It is a manufacturer of a wide range of automotive components and systems in India, supplying to all segments of the market - OEMs, Aftermarket and Exports.