Q1. Could you start by giving us a brief overview of your professional background, particularly focusing on your expertise in the industry?

Techno-Commercial Leader | Metallurgy & Steel Industry Expert | Strategic Growth & Global Business Development
A results-driven Techno-Commercial professional with over 40 years of comprehensive experience spanning Production, Quality Assurance, Marketing, Projects, and Supply Chain Management across the Flat and Long Products segment in Mild Steel and Stainless Steel. Proven track record of driving operational excellence and strategic growth in globally recognised organisations.
Key Highlights:
•    Global Exposure: Extensive international experience across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the United States in business development, project execution, and market expansion.
•    Leadership Role: Currently serving as President – Corporate Affairs at Fortran Steel Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, spearheading corporate strategy and leading the company’s greenfield stainless steel project for long products.
•    Industry Advocacy: Championing the use of stainless steel in sectors like infrastructure, construction, and automotive, and actively engaged in upskilling the workforce in Tier 2 & Tier 3 cities with a focus on fabrication and engineering applications.
•    Academic Engagement: Serving as a visiting faculty at several A & B grade management institutes, bridging industry practices with academic learning.
•    Multinational Experience: Worked with industry leaders including Tata Steel, Bhushan Steel, JSPL, JSW, Sanyo Special Steel, Kremikovtzi Steel (Bulgaria), and Shadeed Iron & Steel (Oman).
Educational Qualifications:
•    B.Tech in Metallurgical Engineering-1982
•    MBA – Business Strategy & Operations- 1992

 

 

Q2. How do you see the demand landscape for long and flat steel products evolving in India and globally over the next few years?

India: Strong growth prospects — long products likely to grow fastest (driven by construction/infrastructure) and flat products also good. (45% Long & 55 Flat).   Growth from a MSME, Infrastructure, Manufacturing Automotive would play a vital role. 
•    In India, the demand for steel is projected to grow about 9% in both 2025 & 2026 according to World Steel
•    Globally: Modest growth overall (~1-3% p.a) in total steel demand in the near term (2025‐26) with stronger growth in the flat steel segment (~4-5% CAGR) over medium term (to 2030) assuming favourable Geopolitical conditions & reciprocal tariff from US & Europe 
•    Based on the above, flat steel globally may present somewhat better growth‐risk balance (because it’s more diversified in end-uses) while long products may give heftier growth opportunities in markets like India where infrastructure is booming & construction industries big push.

 

Q3.  From your experience implementing SAP CRM and digital systems, how do you see digital tools transforming sales, supply chain, and quality management in steel?

1.    Sales & Customer Relationship Management (SAP CRM / Digital Front-End):
2.    Supply Chain & Operations (SAP IBP, MES, IoT, AI)
3.    Quality Management & Product Traceability (SAP QM + Analytics + IoT)
4.    Emerging Layer: Analytics, AI, and Sustainability Dashboards
5.    Strategic Outlook for the Steel Sector 
 

Summary

Function	Digital Focus	Tangible Benefit
Sales / CRM	Customer 360°, pricing intelligence, portals	Faster quote cycle, better retention
Supply Chain	IBP, IoT logistics, digital twins	Cost & lead-time reduction
Quality	Predictive quality, digital traceability	Fewer defects, faster resolution
Analytics / ESG	AI dashboards, sustainability metrics	Real-time decisions, compliance advantage

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Q4. How is the global push toward low-carbon and green steel affecting procurement strategies and market competitiveness?

Procurement Strategy & Market Competitiveness

Dimension	Old Paradigm	Green-Steel Paradigm
Procurement Driver	Cost, delivery, quality	Carbon intensity, certification, ESG compliance
Supplier Relationship	Transactional	Strategic & long-term (co-innovation)
Competitive Edge	Scale & cost	Sustainability, traceability, compliance readiness
Risk Exposure	Price volatility	Carbon cost & regulatory exposure
Digital Backbone	ERP + manual LCA	Integrated carbon accounting, digital passports, blockchain traceability

 

 

Q5. What new opportunities do you see emerging for the Indian steel sector from megatrends like infrastructure push, renewable energy, and EV manufacturing?

Opportunity Matrix (2025–2030)

Megatrend	Product Focus	Growth Potential	Strategic Levers
Infrastructure Push	TMT, beams, structural, coated sheets	High (7–9% CAGR)	Regional fabrication hubs, faster supply chains
Renewable Energy	Coated & structural steels, cryogenic alloys	Medium–High	Tech partnerships, coating capacity
EV & Manufacturing	AHSS, electrical steel, coated CR	High	Specialty steel capability, OEM alignment
Green Transition	EAF/H₂ DRI, certified low-carbon steel	Medium–High	Carbon tracking, renewable integration

Strategic Takeaways

1. Move up the value chain: Flat and specialty steels (automotive, electrical, hydrogen) will offer better margins than commodity long products.
2. Localize high-spec imports: Electrical steel, AHSS, and coated products are prime import substitution targets.
3. Integrate renewables into operations: Captive solar/hydrogen reduces both cost and carbon footprint.
4. Forge ecosystem alliances: Collaborate with EPC firms, RE developers, and OEMs to become a preferred integrated supplier.
5. Digitize and differentiate: Traceability, carbon transparency, and customer portals will become essential to compete globally.

 

 

Q6. Which companies or regions do you think are setting benchmarks in terms of quality, technology adoption, or sustainability within the steel industry?

Benchmarking Companies:

1.Tata Steel (India & Global)

2. ArcelorMittal (Global)

3. POSCO (South Korea)

Benchmarking Regions:

A. Europe (Germany, Sweden, Netherland, UK)

B. Asia-Pacific Emerging Markets (India, Southeast Asia)

 

 

Q7. If you were an investor looking at companies within the space, what critical question would you pose to their senior management?

1. Strategic Positioning & Market Outlook

Question:
"How is your company positioning itself to capture the high-growth segments of steel demand — such as low-carbon/green steel, EV-grade steel, and infrastructure-related long products — over the next 5–10 years?"

2. Decarbonization & ESG Readiness

Question:
"What is your roadmap for achieving low-carbon or green steel production, and how are you aligning with global ESG standards and regulatory pressures like CBAM?"

3. Technology & Digital Adoption

Question:
"How are you integrating digital tools (ERP/CRM, MES, predictive maintenance, digital twins) to improve efficiency, quality, and supply chain visibility, and what tangible benefits have you realized so far?"

4. Supply Chain & Raw Material Strategy

Question:
"Given volatile input costs (iron ore, coking coal, energy), how are you securing long-term supply, and what is your strategy for balancing conventional vs. green steel inputs?"

 

5. Financial Resilience & Capital Allocation

Question:
How are you prioritizing capex across commodity expansion, value-added products, and green steel initiatives, and what returns do you target for each segment?"

6. Customer & Market Risk

Question:
"How concentrated is your customer base, and how exposed are you to sector-specific demand shocks, e.g., automotive slowdowns, construction cycles, or export regulations?"

7. Bonus Investor Insight

Question:
What is your strategy to monetize sustainability and technology adoption — through premium pricing, market access, or operational efficiency — and how do you track measurable results?"