MAM
KAI appoints Keijiro Takasago as managing director for KAI India
Mumbai: A recognised leader in kitchenware, personal care, and beauty care products, has appointed Keijiro Takasago as the managing director of KAI Manufacturing India Pvt. Ltd. With over three decades of experience in corporate banking and international business leadership across Japan, Thailand, India, and Vietnam, Takasago brings a wealth of expertise in strategic planning, cross-border operations, and client-focused management. His proven ability to navigate complex markets and drive operational excellence makes him the ideal leader to spearhead KAI India’s growth and innovation in the dynamic Indian market.
Takasago’s extensive leadership experience spans diverse industries and roles, including his impactful contributions to business strategy, operational efficiency, and cross-cultural management. His rich exposure in India and other key markets has given him a unique perspective on fostering growth in competitive environments. As he steps into his new role, he is committed to strengthening KAI India’s presence while delivering high-quality, innovative solutions tailored to the needs of Indian consumers.
Keijiro Takasago expressed: “I am deeply honoured to take on the role of Managing Director at KAI Manufacturing India Pvt. Ltd. India is a vibrant and rapidly evolving market, with tremendous opportunities for growth and innovation. My vision for KAI India is to continue expanding our offerings while staying true to our heritage of delivering high-quality Japanese craftsmanship. I look forward to collaborating with the team to create solutions that align with the needs and aspirations of our Indian consumers, driving the brand to new heights.”
Founded in Seki in 1908, KAI has achieved cult status in Japan and worldwide for its high-quality grooming and beauty care products, which blend practical aesthetics with refined craftsmanship. Known for well-designed, innovative houseware and beauty care products, KAI India is committed to delivering products backed by detailed R&D and superior Japanese technology, aiming to become a trusted household name in India. The Japan-based KAI Group, with a legacy spanning over 116 years, has made a foray into the Indian market with the establishment of its manufacturing facility spanned over 30,000 sq. meters in Neemrana, Rajasthan. Bringing an 800-year-old tradition of Japanese blade-forging directly to Indian households, KAI offers a kitchenware range along with high-precision beauty and personal care products, adding value to the daily lives of Indian consumers.
Brands
Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail reshuffles top deck; Nikhil Modha to take over as CFO
Phased transition sees Marco Agnolin head OWND!, Nikhil Modha lined up as CFO as company readies next growth leg
MUMBAI: Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail is redrawing its leadership map, lining up a new generation of executives across key roles as it prepares for its next phase of growth.
The company has named Suraj Bahirwani as chief executive (designate) of Pantaloons, effective April 1, 2026, with a full transition to the top role slated for October 1, 2026. He will also be designated as senior managerial personnel.
A two-decade veteran of the Aditya Birla Group, Bahirwani joined as a group management trainee in 2002 and has since held a string of leadership roles across retail and manufacturing. His resume spans stints at Aditya Birla Retail, a tenure as chief operating officer of Pantaloons, and most recently, head of global sales at the group’s cellulosic fibres business, where he drove international expansion and strengthened value-added portfolios.
Academically, he holds a PhD from the University of Mumbai, a postgraduate management diploma from SP Jain Institute of Management and Research, and is a chartered accountant. Over the years, he has picked up multiple chairman’s awards, including distinguished achiever, exceptional contributor and accomplished leader.
The transition at Pantaloons will be staged. Incumbent chief executive Sangeeta Tanwani will continue until September 30, 2026, steering the handover before moving into an advisory role to the managing director from October 1, 2026. She is set to retire on January 31, 2027, at which point she will step down as whole-time director and key managerial personnel.
Alongside, the company has brought in Marco Agnolin as chief executive of OWND! and senior managerial personnel, effective April 6, 2026. Agnolin arrives with over three decades of global experience, having held senior roles at Inditex, where he helped expand Zara in Italy, and later served as chief executive of Bershka and Diesel. His track record spans fast fashion, brand turnarounds and youth-focused retail.
On the finance side, Nikhil Modha has been appointed chief financial officer (designate) and senior managerial personnel from April 1, 2026. He will assume full charge as chief financial officer and key managerial personnel from January 1, 2027.
Current chief financial officer Jagdish Bajaj will oversee a phased transition until December 31, 2026, before retiring and stepping down from his roles.
The reshuffle signals a calibrated succession plan rather than a sudden overhaul, with the company staggering exits and appointments to ensure continuity even as it refreshes leadership across verticals.
As Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail juggles legacy brands and new-age formats, the message is clear: steady hands for the present, sharper ones for the future—and no pause in the push for scale.
