Energy efficiency is the future and lighting is a key part of it,” says Rakesh Zutshi, MD of lighting firm Halonix Technologies and president of the Electric Lamp and Component Manufacturers’ Association (ELCOMA) India, a post he took over in end-2016. Zutshi has worked with Halonix for almost a decade and was appointed MD in 2013. Set up over two decades ago as an Indo-Japanese JV, Halonix is a PE investor-backed firm with dedicated manufacturing and R&D facilities. It manufactures CFLs, LEDs and halogen lamps suitable for commercial and residential use. It currently has a presence across 20 states and Zutshi is working to drive further expansion. As an active member of ELCOMA, he has been instrumental in forming key policies and bringing industry issues to the fore.
According to Zutshi, the UJALA scheme was responsible for popularising LEDs at the consumer level. “Today, if we say that India is one of the biggest users of LED lights, it is to do with the government initiatives to make the industry scalable.” But he feels some compromises are being made on quality and safety, and that policies need to keep pace with technology.
Zutshi’s most memorable career assignment so far has been the turnaround of Halonix Technologies from a private label to a profitable branded business. “Halonix’s lighting business was previously a private labelling one, which incurred losses. In the past four years, we have made it one of the top five energy efficiency lighting companies in India, and profitable at that. I personally feel gratified that we were able to make this transition.” On his management style, Zutshi says that people need to be empowered. “For me to be effective, it is important for the team to be effective, and that is possible when we all are aligned with the end-results we are working for. The company also ensures that people take breaks and spend quality time with their families, so that they are motivated to do something different. I believe this is one of the reasons for the company’s turnaround.”
On how to maintain a healthy work-life balance, Zutshi says that family and work are equally important and have an effect on each other. Hence, it is imperative to have the right environment at both places. He is fond of Indian classical music and ghazals, Pandit Jasraj being his favourite vocalist. He also likes photography, travelling and sampling local cuisines. Zutshi’s family includes his wife and their two children.