Young leaders often bring fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and a dynamic approach to the business world. They challenge the status quo, embrace new technologies, and inspire teams with their forward-thinking vision. Their ability to adapt quickly to changing environments and their eagerness to learn and grow are invaluable assets that drive organizations toward sustainable success. One such emerging business leader is Shrenik Ghodawat, the Director of various business verticals at Sanjay Ghodawat Group (SGG) who has significantly contributed to the group’s success with his unique vision and management practices. With a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from CMS, Bangalore, and a Master’s in International Business from UBI, Belgium, Shrenik joined the family business at 19. His charismatic and dynamic approach has propelled SGG to new heights.
As the Managing Director at Ghodawat Consumer Ltd. (GCL), he oversees all operations and strategic functions. Under his exemplary leadership, GCL achieved a significant milestone by reaching an INR 16000 crore revenue in FY 23 and is ambitiously targeting INR 2,000 crore by FY 2024. Beyond GCL, Shrenik has also made a notable impact in the service industry. He is the Founder and Director of Renom Energy Services Pvt Ltd (RENOM), which provides Operation and Maintenance services for Renewable Energy Assets across India. Under his guidance, RENOM has become a leader in the O&M space with over 2000 MW assets under management.
Shrenik holds the position of Director at Star Air, a commercial regional airline that has rapidly ascended to prominence since its founding in 2019. Known for its punctuality, affordability, and world-class services, Star Air has garnered the trust and loyalty of thousands of passengers. Today, it stands as the largest regional airline in India, connecting 22 destinations across the country. This impressive network and commitment to excellence have solidified Star Air’s reputation as a leading choice for travelers seeking reliable and efficient air travel within India.
In 2020, Shrenik conceptualized and founded ‘Star Localmart,’ a retail startup promoting a locally sourced, processed, and sold ecosystem. This initiative not only generates local employment but also supports local companies and entrepreneurship. Star Localmart aims to open 3000 store by FY29.
From a young age, Shrenik has been recognized with multiple accolades, reflecting his exceptional leadership and innovative approach. Among his numerous honors, he has been named “35 under 35” by Entrepreneur India, “40 Most Influential Under 40 Indians” by Asia One, and received the “Business Leadership Award 2021” and the “Young Business Tycoon 2021” award from the Times Group. His recent recognitions include being named the “Most Promising Business Leader of Asia – 2024” by Times Now, one of the “Visionary Leaders of Bharat – 2024” by Times Applaud, and included in the “Focus 40 under 40 – 2023” by Business Today. These accolades underscore Shrenik’s role in driving the success and growth of the group.
Visionary Leadership of Sanjay Ghodawat
Sanjay Ghodawat, the founder and chairman of the Sanjay Ghodawat Group, has led the group for over 30 years with a strong focus on diversification into various high value business verticals, excellence and innovation. Under his visionary leadership, the group has grown into a prominent conglomerate spanning diverse sectors such as Aviation, Consumer Products, Education, Energy, Realty, Retail, and Textiles. With a workforce of over 10,000 employees, a student base of 18000 and global customer base, the group prioritizes customer satisfaction above all else, ensuring that its products and services meet the highest standards.
Enhancing Lives Globally
Shrenik Ghodawat, as the Managing Director of GCL, plays a pivotal role in advancing the vision and operational strategies. His leadership complements Sanjay Ghodawat’s vision, emphasizing continuous improvement and a customer-centric approach. Together, they have fostered a culture of innovation and integrity, guiding the management team to develop robust operational processes and enhance product quality. This collective effort drives the group’s growth and reinforces its commitment to excellence across all industries.
Sanjay Ghodawat’s legacy continues to inspire the group company, ensuring that each interaction with the brand reflects a dedication to innovation and integrity under the guidance of both leaders. Their combined leadership ensures that the Sanjay Ghodawat Group remains at the forefront of industry advancements while maintaining its core values and commitment to customer satisfaction.
A STAR Brand
Shrenik shares that Ghodawat Consumer Limited distinguishes itself in the market with its quality product offerings under various brands. The STAR brand encompasses essential kitchen staples such as Oil, Atta, Rice, Salt, Namkeen, and Snack Food, all distinguished by their high-quality ingredients and rigorous quality assurance processes. With a strong presence in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Star products are tailored to regional tastes and preferences, ensuring widespread availability and customer satisfaction. GCL serves a wide range of customers for urban side GCL has expanded its products portfolio by adding Coolberg a non – alcoholic beer and TBH real vegetables crunchies.
Coolberg, India’s leading non-alcoholic beer brand, offers a diverse range of flavors to a wide audience seeking alternatives to traditional alcoholic beverages. TBH stands out with its 100% real vegetable snacks, emphasizing nutrition and taste without compromising on ingredient transparency.
Ghodawat Consumer Limited’s commitment to quality, innovation, and regional presence uniquely positions it in the market, effectively catering to diverse consumer needs across India.
Leveraging Market Research and Cutting-Edge Technologies
At the GCL, Shrenik and the management team invest substantially in Research & Development (Ghodawat Analytic and Research Centre) to stay ahead of industry trends and meet the ever-changing demands of customers. Shrenik asserts that their specialized product development team works closely with various business divisions to continuously innovate and enhance their product offerings.
Additionally, the company leverages market research, consumer input, and cutting-edge technologies to ensure operational efficiency and maintain leadership in product development. This proactive approach ensures that the GCL remains the forefront of innovation, delivering high-quality products that meet the evolving needs of their diverse customer base.
Dedication to Consumers
Sanjay Ghodawat Group’s key motivation is its dedication to positively impacting the lives of its and the environment. Shrenik mentions that this mission drives the team to continually improve and innovate.
Despite its many achievements, GCL faces its own set of challenges, such as competition with big players, logistical issues in rural areas, and complexities in its distribution network. The company tackles these challenges by incorporating technological advancements in its manufacturing units, optimizing supply chain management, and maintaining effective communication with stakeholders. This ability to pivot and remain resilient in the face of adversity not only allows the company to continue operations but also strengthens its commitment to providing reliable and high quality products to its consumers. Shrenik’s focus on resilience and perseverance is a guiding principle that helps navigate these obstacles, ensuring sustained growth and success.
Achieving Remarkable Success
GCL has achieved remarkable success through a journey marked by significant milestones and prestigious awards. Recognized as the “Brand of the Year” by The Times Group in both 2021 and 2022, GCL has established a strong market presence and excelled in its branding efforts. The Brand Story honored the company as “India’s Most Admirable Brand” in 2021, underscoring GCL’s trusted reputation among consumers. Furthermore, The Globoil India acknowledged GCL as the “The Fasted Growing FMCG Company” in 2022, highlighting its rapid growth and significant impact in the FMCG industry.
GCL’s dedication to sustainability (GCL Global Sustainable Organization by Times Now) and innovation has also been celebrated, with awards recognizing its environmentally friendly practices and product excellence. Moving forward, the company remains committed to delivering high-quality products, building lasting relationships, and positively impacting the lives of its consumers.
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs in the Industry
Shrenik offers valuable advice to aspiring entrepreneurs looking to enter the same industry. He emphasizes the importance of understanding their target market and prioritizing customer satisfaction above all else. In a fast-paced sector like FMCG, Resilience integration of Technology, use of AI in business operation and adaptability are essential. Entrepreneurs must stay updated on emerging trends and continually seek methods to improve and differentiate their products.
According to Shrenik, networking and learning from industry professionals can provide useful insights and opportunities. He emphasizes the importance of resilience and perseverance in achieving success. He believes that setbacks are inevitable but also present valuable opportunities for growth and development. By maintaining focus on these key areas, aspiring entrepreneurs can navigate industry challenges and build successful businesses. His own journey, marked by numerous accolades and leadership roles, serves as a testament to the power of resilience and the potential for growth through adversity.
Strategic Vision for Future Growth and Market Expansion
Shrenik shares that GCL’s leadership philosophy is centered around authenticity, collaboration, and continuous improvement. The company believes in leading by example and maintaining transparency and integrity in all its dealings, fostering a culture of trust and mutual respect within the organization.
Looking ahead, Shrenik and the GCL team envision expanding their product lines extensively to strengthen their presence in both national and international markets. To ensure long-term growth and success, they are making strategic investments in new technologies and sustainable practices. Ramping up R&D efforts to boost product innovation is a priority, as is strengthening distribution networks and enhancing digital capabilities.
Confidence in fulfilling their long-term vision hinges on loyalty to their core beliefs and continuous adaptation to meet consumer demands. By adhering to these principles, GCL is poised to achieve sustained success and make a significant impact in the FMCG industry.
