Nyrika Holkar, ED, Godrej & Boyce also unveils the company’s scalability vision and talks about her management style.
The journey of Godrej & Boyce (G&B) is a story of innovation and progress, a testament to the spirit of Swadeshi and Make in India.
In 1897, Ardeshir and Pirojsha Godrej sowed the seeds of change by founding a lock manufacturing company, marking our Swadeshi moment.
In 1918, the world’s first vegetable oil soap named Chavi was launched as a commitment to sustainable and ethical production practices.
In 1923, G&B diversified into furniture, crafting durable steel cupboards, revolutionizing home storage.
The historic year of 1951 saw the company’s contribution to India’s first elections with the production of 17 lakh ballot boxes, a pivotal moment in the nation’s democratic journey.
From typewriters to refrigerators, from hair dyes to agricultural innovations, G&B has continually adapted and diversified, embracing multiple sectors, including retail, infrastructure, defense, clean energy, and sustainability.
Godrej Aerospace’s partnership with ISRO in the Chandrayaan 3 mission reflects its dedication to advancing technology and exploring new horizons.
The legacy of G&B is a testament to the power of vision, adaptability, and the unwavering spirit that has fueled progress for over a century.
In a recent conversation with Nyrika Holkar, Executive Director at Godrej & Boyce Mfg. Co. Ltd., she shared insights into the enduring relevance of a 126-year-old brand. She revealed that the company’s genesis as an ‘atmanirbhar’ movement, driven by a desire for sustainability and self-sufficiency, remains ever pertinent.
“The values, ethics, integrity, and our unwavering commitment to nation-building have woven an unbreakable thread that has resonated across generations, among our team, vendors, and partners, fueling our continued success. Our legacy is the testament of a timeless spirit, and the narrative continues to evolve, shaping the future of a resurgent India,” Nyrika says.
Curiosity leads the way as we explore how G&B plans to continue innovating, crafting new products and services. Nyrika takes us on a journey through time, explaining how the company, with a century and a quarter of history, has continuously evolved to remain relevant. The evolving economic landscape of India necessitates strategic adaptation.
Nyrika delineates the three facets of their business: the strategic, the established, and the emerging. With a clear vision, the focus is on digital transformation to ensure seamless customer experiences, scalability, and sustainability as core tenets.
“I firmly believe in creating products and processes that not only serve the present but also contribute to a sustainable future, with minimal impact on the planet,” Nyrika says.
As a fourth-generation entrepreneur, Nyrika navigates the legacy business with a unique blend of passion and humility. She finds inspiration in the extraordinary expertise and commitment of her teams, particularly their willingness to embrace challenges. Connecting with customers and vendors, understanding their perspectives, and exploring the integration of technology for optimization fuels her drive.
Challenging Nyrika on the company’s biggest opportunity and hurdle, she points to complacency as the primary foe.
“G&B cannot afford to rest on its laurels, given the ever-evolving landscape of consumer behavior,” Nyrika says.
The key, according to her, is to stay ahead of these changes, understanding the evolving needs and pain points of customers.
Nyrika’s management style is a symphony of values passed down through generations. She finds comfort in upholding the principles on which the company was built by her great-grandfather and great granduncle. Her approach emphasizes listening to perspectives, learning from them, and leading by example, nurturing a culture that embodies the essence of G&B.
