Veteran executive brings over three decades of experience in appliances and consumer electronics, including 17 years at Panasonic India
New Delhi, Sep 21 Manish Sharma, who previously served as Chairman and CEO of Panasonic India, has joined farm and construction equipment major Escorts Kubota, the company said in a regulatory filing.
Sharma, a seasoned executive in consumer durables and manufacturing, has taken charge as President of the Agri Business, the company's largest business segment. In this role, he will oversee the Tractor Business Division, the Agri Solutions Business Division and the Service and Spare Parts Business Division across domestic and international markets, Escorts Kubota said in the filing on Monday.
The move begins a new chapter for Sharma, who brings more than three decades of experience in the appliances and consumer electronics industry, including 17 years in a leadership position at Panasonic India.
His appointment comes as Escorts Kubota sharpens its focus on technology-led farm mechanisation, exports and premiumisation of its tractor portfolio, amid growing competition in the agricultural machinery sector.
Headquartered in Faridabad, Haryana, and founded by the Nanda family, Escorts Kubota is an engineering conglomerate that makes agricultural machinery, construction equipment and industrial products. Japan-based Kubota Corporation holds a majority 53.5 per cent stake following a series of investments and is now the promoter and controlling shareholder, while Nikhil Nanda continues as Chairman and Managing Director.
Sharma's expertise in product development, manufacturing, supply chain management, brand building and business transformation is expected to help the company speed up its growth plans in both domestic and overseas markets.
In his earlier roles, he has been associated with industry bodies such as FICCI and with policy forums, and he continues to serve as a senior adviser to Panasonic Energy.
The appointment signals the company's intent to bring in experienced professional leadership as it pursues opportunities arising from rising farm mechanisation, improving rural productivity and growing demand for technologically advanced agricultural equipment.
Escorts Kubota is one of India's leading tractor and agricultural machinery makers, selling products under brands such as Farmtrac, Powertrac and Kubota. It operates in over 40 countries and has been expanding its global presence following Kubota Corporation's strategic investment and subsequent increase in shareholding.
