Archives March 2026

Bengaluru, Mar 11: ABB, a global technology leader in electrification and automation, is expanding its manufacturing footprint in Bengaluru with greenfield campuses and shopfloors, new product line expansions, service and training centers, and precision equipment manufacturing across Electrification, Motion and Automation businesses. ABB Group CEO Morten Wierod led the groundbreaking of a new integrated Motion facility in Peenya. He also inaugurated the Electrification and Automation Nelamangala Campus 2 on Kunigal Road.

 ABB has a strong and longstanding presence in Karnataka, with Bengaluru serving as one of its most important manufacturing and technology hubs in India. With this latest investment, ABB will operate three manufacturing locations with multiple shopfloors in the state, employing more than 3,000 people across its manufacturing operations.

“This expansion reflects ABB’s long-term commitment to India and our local-for-local strategy. By strengthening our manufacturing and technology capabilities in Karnataka, we are bringing advanced ABB technologies closer to customers, enabling industries to improve energy efficiency, digitalize operations and support India’s infrastructure growth,” said Sanjeev Sharma, Country Head and Managing Director, ABB India.

ABB’s Motion business is expanding its Peenya campus with two new manufacturing facilities. Spanning 6,100 sq m., the site will accommodate up to 300 employees once fully operational. It will produce a broad range of energy efficient motors, including flameproof (Ex) designs, roller table variants, and large smoke ventilation models, along with low-voltage drives and programmable logic controllers (PLCs). The campus will also host a service and training center enhanced with digital tools and remote diagnostics to support customers throughout the equipment lifecycle. ABB’s portfolio of high efficiency motors and drives installed over the past 12 years has delivered annual energy savings of approximately 20 TWh—equal to nearly half of Delhi’s yearly electricity consumption.

At ABB’s second Nelamangala campus, a 16,470 sq m. multi business manufacturing hub has been set up to expand production for the Electrification and Automation businesses. The facility will support a broader portfolio, including smart power technologies, system interface units, gas analyzer system integration, service labs, blending operations, excitation systems and high-power rectifiers. Manufacturing of power management solutions critical for data centers will scale up nearly tenfold at this campus, reinforcing ABB’s role as a key technology provider. ABB’s low and medium voltage systems already power more than 30% of India’s hyperscale data centers.

The campus will also advance ABB’s innovation led Make in India portfolio, including blending and excitation solutions for lube, paint, paper & pulp industries. The excitation supply factory will deliver systems not only within India but also for export to the wider region to support reliable power generation and resilient grids. The blending facility will include an assembly line for pigging line valves, automation staging cabinets and on-site factory acceptance tests (FAT) to enable efficient and reliable operations in the Indian paint industry. With this investment, the high-power rectifiers supplied to local chemical and metals customers will now also extend to regional markets.

ABB recently announced investment of USD 75 million in 2026 to expand manufacturing and R&D for critical segments and creating 300+ new skilled jobs in engineering, operations, and research. This investment, combined with its 2025 spend of over $35 million, reflects ABB’s commitment to scaling its “local-for-local” strategy in India.

Karnataka has long been a center for technology talent across software, manufacturing and R&D, and ABB’s continued investments strengthen the state’s industrial ecosystem by expanding local manufacturing, developing specialized skills and supporting supplier networks across the region.

ABB is a global technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. By connecting its engineering and digitalization expertise, ABB helps industries run at high performance, while becoming more efficient, productive and sustainable so they outperform. At ABB, we call this ‘Engineered to Outrun’. The company has over 140 years of history and around 110,000 employees worldwide. ABB’s shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ABBN) and Nasdaq Stockholm (ABB). www.abb.com

San Francisco, CA – Mar. 11, 2026 – Contrivian, a technology company providing intelligent mission-critical connectivity, has signed an agreement as an authorized reseller with Amazon Leo to deliver resilient, high-performance connectivity for state and local agencies in the United States. The agreement expands Contrivian’s multi-modal connectivity solutions to deliver reliable networking that can support mission-critical applications and services.

Contrivian combines low Earth orbit technology with its proprietary Lighthouse performance optimization technology and NorthStar lifecycle management solution to deliver intelligent, software-defined multi-constellation connectivity. This eliminates the need for failover across networking technologies as well as across satellite constellations, with no disruption to applications or end users.

“We aren’t just providing satellite connectivity. We’re enabling mission-critical applications and services on a global scale. We’re providing software-enabled connectivity that is intelligently integrated, continuously monitored, and managed as part of a unified operational model,” said Grant Kirkwood, CEO of Contrivian. “Our agreement with Amazon Leo strengthens that architecture. It reflects how resilient networks must now be designed. It adds true diversity at the satellite layer and gives our customers greater control, greater performance stability, and greater assurance when failure is not an option.” 

Contrivian engineers, orchestrates, and manages mission-critical connectivity for organizations that operate in environments where downtime carries operational, financial, or safety risk. The company integrates fiber, broadband, LTE/5G, and low Earth orbit satellite into a single, performance-driven architecture. 

“Amazon Leo is developing the world’s most advanced satellite communication network. Through this agreement with Contrivian, we will provide essential connectivity to state and local government agencies, enabling them to stay connected and share vital information, even in isolated areas or during service disruptions,” said Carolyn Cuppernull, Business Development at Amazon Leo for Government. 

Contrivian serves public sector agencies, healthcare providers, energy operators, financial institutions, and other critical industries. It designs, deploys, monitors, and supports connectivity across fixed sites, remote facilities, and mobile operations worldwide. The company continues to invest in advanced satellite orchestration capabilities as the global low Earth orbit ecosystem evolves. 

Pic Credit: Pexel

In today’s fast-paced, digitally connected world, the delivery experience has become a defining factor in customer satisfaction. Speed, reliability, transparency, and personalization are no longer optional—they are expected. Behind the scenes, smart supply chains are driving these expectations, transforming the way products move from manufacturer to customer and reshaping the overall customer experience.

Modern supply chains are no longer just logistical operations. They are strategic drivers of customer satisfaction, blending technology, data, and human expertise to deliver seamless, responsive, and sustainable experiences.

From Cost Efficiency to Customer-Centric Supply Chains

Traditionally, supply chains were focused on cost efficiency, throughput, and inventory management. Speed and accuracy mattered primarily to reduce expenses and ensure products reached retail outlets. However, the rise of e-commerce, omnichannel retail, and digitally empowered consumers has shifted the focus. Today, supply chains are measured by their impact on the customer journey, not just operational efficiency.

Companies now prioritize flexibility, responsiveness, and transparency. A modern supply chain doesn’t just move products—it enhances brand trust, builds loyalty, and drives repeat business.

Digital Intelligence: The Heart of Smart Supply Chains

At the core of these transformations lies digital intelligence. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning allow businesses to analyze vast amounts of data, predict demand, optimize routes, and manage inventory proactively.

• Predictive analytics helps forecast customer demand and prevent stockouts, ensuring products are available when needed.

• Dynamic decision-making systems can automatically reroute shipments, balance inventory levels, and prioritize urgent orders in real-time.

• Digital twins—virtual replicas of physical supply chains—enable companies to simulate operational changes, stress-test scenarios, and optimize logistics before implementing them.

These innovations allow supply chains to respond proactively to challenges, ensuring customers receive accurate, timely, and reliable deliveries.

Real-Time Visibility and Transparency

Modern customers expect full visibility into their orders. Smart supply chains leverage IoT sensors, RFID technology, and advanced tracking systems to monitor shipments throughout the delivery journey. Customers can now see not only the location of their order but also the condition of sensitive items, including temperature, humidity, and handling metrics.

This level of transparency enhances trust, reduces anxiety, and strengthens the relationship between brands and customers. For high-value or perishable goods, real-time tracking is no longer a convenience—it’s a necessity.

Automation and Robotics: Speed Meets Accuracy

Automation is transforming warehouses and fulfillment centers into hubs of efficiency:

• Robotic picking and sorting systems accelerate processing and reduce errors.

• Automated guided vehicles (AGVs) transport goods efficiently within facilities, minimizing delays.

• Smart inventory management systems automatically adjust stock levels based on real-time demand, ensuring continuous availability.

By combining speed, accuracy, and flexibility, these systems ensure that customers receive the right product at the right time, every time.

Optimizing Last-Mile Delivery

The last mile—the final leg of delivery—is critical to the customer experience. Smart supply chains use AI-driven route optimization to account for traffic, weather, and delivery priorities, minimizing delays and improving predictability.

Innovations like autonomous vehicles and drone deliveries are emerging solutions to accelerate last-mile fulfillment, particularly in congested urban areas or regions with limited access. By optimizing the last mile, companies reduce costs, lower carbon emissions, and provide faster, more reliable service.

Sustainability: Enhancing Customer Experience Through Responsibility

Consumers today expect businesses to take responsibility for their environmental impact. Smart supply chains integrate sustainability into logistics decisions:

• Optimized routing reduces fuel consumption and emissions.

• Eco-friendly packaging minimizes waste and enhances brand perception.

• Sustainable sourcing ensures that products are ethically and responsibly produced.

Sustainability is no longer an operational afterthought—it’s a key component of customer satisfaction and brand loyalty.

Personalization Through Data Analytics

Smart supply chains leverage customer data to personalize the delivery experience:

• Offering flexible delivery windows based on customer preferences.

• Anticipating repeat orders and ensuring stock availability.

• Providing proactive notifications and updates throughout the delivery process.

This personalization transforms deliveries from a transactional necessity into a memorable, customer-focused experience, strengthening engagement and loyalty.

Challenges and Opportunities

Despite the advances, implementing smart supply chains comes with challenges:

• Integration of new technologies with legacy systems.

• Ensuring cybersecurity and protecting sensitive customer and operational data.

• Developing skilled personnel to manage and interpret advanced technologies.

However, these challenges are also opportunities. Companies that invest in technology, talent, and process innovation gain competitive advantage, operational resilience, and deeper customer trust.

The Human Element in Smart Supply Chains

While technology drives efficiency, the human element remains critical. Skilled professionals oversee operations, interpret complex data, and make strategic decisions that machines alone cannot achieve. The best supply chains combine human expertise with digital precision, maximizing efficiency, safety, and adaptability.

Conclusion: Redefining Delivery in the Digital Age

Smart supply chains are transforming delivery from a back-end operation into a strategic, customer-centric process. By integrating AI, IoT, automation, real-time visibility, and sustainability practices, businesses are creating seamless, reliable, and personalized experiences for customers.

In today’s competitive landscape, supply chains are no longer just about moving products—they are about building trust, enhancing satisfaction, and fostering loyalty. The future belongs to companies that can deliver not just goods, but confidence, convenience, and connection, redefining what it means to satisfy a customer in the digital age.

Smart supply chains have decoded delivery—and in doing so, they are shaping the very future of customer experience.

Pune, Mar 11:On International Women’s Day (8th March) and Savitribai Phule remembrance Day (10th March), a district-level one-day Managerial Skill Development Training programme was organised for Women Board of Directors of Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) across eight districts under the Hon. Balasaheb Thackeray Agribusiness and Rural Transformation (SMART) Project. The initiative aimed to strengthen leadership and decision-making capabilities among women farmers.

 The programme combined an online inaugural session with offline district-level training modules. Women directors gathered to enhance managerial, communication, and leadership skills essential for agribusiness operations.

In the inaugural session, Shri. Uday Deshmukh, Additional Project Director SMART, emphasised that projects with active women participation in governance perform better and become more sustainable. He urged women to play decisive roles in shaping the future of FPOs.

Smt. Ujjwala Bankhele, Agribusiness Management Expert and District Superintendent Agricultural Officer, highlighted that 2026 has been declared the Year of Women Farmers. Paying tribute to Savitribai Phule, she encouraged women to adopt digital marketing platforms to expand markets and improve income. She stressed digital and financial literacy, and the importance of quality, quantity, and continuity in supply chains for sustainable enterprises.

Smt. Shalini Kadu, Project Director and Additional CEO of DRDA, ZP, Pune underlined resilience and determination in entrepreneurship. She noted the emergence of nearly two lakh “Lakhpati Didis” as successful entrepreneurs and encouraged women leaders to create their own success stories.

Smt. Pranjal Shinde-Chobhe, Additional Commissioner (Development), Pune Divisional Commissioner’s Office, spoke on institutional convergence. She highlighted how initiatives like UMED and MAVIM can support women’s entrepreneurship. She pointed out women’s strengths in resource utilisation, financial discipline, and savings-oriented behaviour, which are valuable in agribusiness. She also emphasised value addition and processing to reduce losses from perishable produce.

Smt. Bharati More, Director of Shree Shivai Masale FPC, described her organisation’s journey in building a women-led enterprise. With over 1,200 members, the FPC has developed spice processing capacity of 500 kg per hour. She said the enterprise empowers marginal women farmers with sustainable income opportunities, achieved after four years of struggle with strong SMART project support.

Smt. Debarati Ghatak, Market Linkage Advisor at Palladium Consulting India Pvt. Ltd., highlighted that women-led FPCs possess strong grassroots understanding of agricultural production, which strengthens market linkages. She stressed quality assurance and value addition, citing processed products like mango pickles. She noted that women-led enterprises are diversifying markets through both export and domestic institutional buyers.

Entrepreneur Smt. Sandeepa Kanitkar from KanBiosys talked about agriculture and women and one should grow beyond struggles and keep developing.  

Mr. Rohini Kumar Sahu, Advisor Palladium International and National Resource Person NIRDPR, emphasised on continuous improvement and competitiveness.

Dr. Swapnil Pandey, Capacity Building Expert at Palladium Consulting India Pvt. Ltd., urged women BoDs to believe in themselves and implement managerial skills, starting with organising awareness workshops in their community-based organisations with Palladium team and DIU.

These workshops were fully supported by all government project officials and from Palladium Consulting Pvt. Ltd. Mr. Biswajeet Behera, Project Director, Mr. Rakesh Ganguly, Project Lead, Mr. Ram Mohite, Team Leader, and Team Palladium.

Following the online inaugural session, offline trainings were conducted in eight districts. Trainers included Mr. Nilesh Koli (Nagpur), Mr. Atul Chaudhari (Amravati/Akola), Ms. Jyoti Bhute (Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar), Mr. Mangesh Lambade (Latur/Nanded), Mr. Ranjeet Arekar and Mr. Viraj Shirudkar (Kolhapur), Ms. Nilam Kshirsagar (Pune), and Mr. Shubham More (Thane/Sindhudurg), supported by Palladium team members.Dr. Manjusha More did anchoring for the programme.

Training sessions covered communication, team building, coordination, leadership, and decision-making, equipping women directors with practical managerial tools for effective enterprise management.

The programme is expected to strengthen governance within women-led FPCs and contribute to building a more inclusive and resilient agribusiness ecosystem across Maharashtra.

Mumbai, Mar 11:  Parle Products, India’s leading manufacturer of biscuits and confectionery, has launched a special Ugadi campaign for its iconic brand Parle-G. Rooted in the cherished tradition of Bevu Bella, the new film beautifully captures the essence of Ugadi symbolizing the balance of sweet and bitter experiences that mark the beginning of a new year.

The film draws inspiration from the Ugadi ritual of Bevu Bella, a symbolic mixture of neem (bitter) and jaggery (sweet)  reflecting the belief that life is a blend of joys and challenges. Bringing this philosophy alive, the narrative underscores the campaign’s central message: “Genius Wahi Jo Auron Ki Khushi Mein Paaye Apni Khushi.” Through a touching story, the film highlights how true fulfillment comes from sharing happiness and standing by one another through every phase of life.

Parle-G has always represented everyday moments of care, warmth, and togetherness. With this festive campaign, the brand strengthens its emotional bond with families across Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, celebrating resilience, empathy, and shared happiness during one of the region’s most significant festivals.

Commenting on the campaign, Mayank Pravinchandra Shah, Chief Marketing Officer, Parle Products, said, “Parle-G has been part of India’s shared moments for generations, and that comes with a deep responsibility to stay culturally relevant and emotionally authentic. Our consumer insight shows that today’s families seek meaning in festivals beyond ritual, they value stories that reflect real life. Ugadi’s message of embracing both the sweet and bitter mirrors this truth. Through this film, we are not just celebrating a festival, but reinforcing our brand philosophy  that true genius lies in empathy, generosity and finding joy in others’ happiness. That enduring emotional connect is what continues to drive our relevance across generations.”

Adding to this, Vinod Kunj, Chief Creative Officer, Thought Blurb Communications, said, “The tradition of Bevu Bella offered a powerful cultural metaphor. We wanted to craft a story that felt authentic, rooted, and emotionally resonant. The idea was to reflect real family dynamics and festive warmth while subtly conveying the larger philosophy of empathy and shared joy. The film captures the emotional richness of Ugadi while staying true to the timeless values that Parle-G represents.”

With this campaign, Parle-G continues to strengthen its cultural relevance and festive salience, reaffirming its place in the hearts of families as more than just a biscuit, but a symbol of care, tradition, and togetherness.

India,  Mar 11: In alignment with the guidelines issued by the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC), climate fintech innovator Hygge Energy and rooftop solar solutions provider Atria Renewable have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on accelerating rooftop solar adoption and enabling peer-to-peer (P2P) solar energy trading across Bengaluru, Karnataka.

 As per the agreement, Hygge Energy will onboard Atria Renewable as a preferred solar installation partner for rooftop solar. The two companies will share relevant consumer data, insights, and technical inputs for the purpose of enabling rooftop solar adoption and facilitating P2P energy trading. The intent of the agreement is also to work towards developing a strategic partnership to have a common mobile application supported by Hygge Energy’s P2P app (available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store).

Hygge Energy’s blockchain- and AI-enabled P2P platform is an end-to-end rooftop solar trading solution designed to operate in compliance with KERC regulations for P2P energy trading. It supports multiple trading mechanisms, enables blockchain-based contract execution, and supports payment transfers in line with the Reserve Bank of India’s Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) policy. The same platform also enables integration support for rooftop solar loan financing and provides platform-related training and onboarding support to Atria Renewable, delivering seamless customer experience.

As the solar installer, Atria Renewable will conduct site surveys, system design, proposal submission, installation, and commissioning of rooftop solar systems. They will ensure high-quality installations and compliance with all applicable regulatory and safety standards. Following installation, Atria Renewable will also provide customer support, including maintenance and warranty services, as agreed with customers.

Commenting on the partnership, Prateek Saxena, CEO of Hygge Energy, said,

“This collaboration with Atria Renewable brings to life Hygge’s vision of using fintech for cleantech at scale. Working with strong local partners like Atria will help Hygge bolster the P2P energy market while strengthening the local economy. Such partnerships ensure that the benefits of our technology extend beyond individual users to the wider community by translating technology innovation and policy support into real-world deployment that will expand rooftop solar adoption in Bengaluru and enable consumers to participate directly in P2P energy markets.”

C. S. Sunder Raju, Chairman and Director, Atria Group, added,

“Since its establishment in 1960, the Atria Group has remained committed to advancing sustainable energy and community initiatives. As India’s first private hydropower producer, we have also expanded our renewable portfolio to include solar, so we are excited to partner with Hygge Energy, whose peer-to-peer energy trading platform is already well established and being used in Karnataka. We are also encouraged by the innovative solutions Hygge is developing, including carbon emission tracking and carbon credit mechanisms, which have the potential to open up new opportunities in the P2P landscape.”

Hygge’s P2P initiative in Karnataka provided them with the capability to create a unique financing model for rooftop solar and battery storage through the tokenization of assets on CBDC. This model allows solar installers such as Atria to promote rooftop solar adoption while expanding their businesses and supporting local job creation.