Brands
Hul adds two WEF lighthouses as factories go digital at scale
MUMBAI: Hindustan Unilever has won fresh plaudits from the World Economic Forum, with its Pondicherry and LLPL Gandhidham factories named Advanced Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) Lighthouse sites. The recognition, part of the WEF’s Global Lighthouse Network, lifts HUL’s total to five such factories, after earlier honours for Dapada (2022), Sonepat (2023) and Doom Dooma (2025).
The two sites deploy 4IR technologies across nearly every process, running more than 50 initiatives across the end-to-end supply chain. Gandhidham, located in the water-stressed Kutch region, was recognised as a Sustainability Lighthouse after using AI, digital twins and the industrial internet of things to cut water use by 17 per cent, save 6.12 billion litres of community water, reduce waste by 48 per cent and lower Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 90 per cent through a shift to renewable energy. The transformation also supported a 12 per cent reduction in Scope 3 emissions alongside double-digit growth over three years.
Pondicherry was awarded the WEF distinction in productivity, after tackling rising product complexity and operational bottlenecks through machine-learning-led process control, AI-driven troubleshooting and smarter workforce forecasting. The overhaul delivered 25 per cent volume growth, a 23 per cent drop in defects and a threefold increase in product variants without adding capacity.
Hindustan Unilever CEO and managing director Priya Nair, said the twin honours underscored the company’s push to blend advanced technology with sustainability and long-term value creation.
Executive director, supply chain Yogesh Mishra said the recognition showed how AI and digitisation can drive environmental gains while strengthening competitiveness.
World Economic Forum managing director Kiva Allgood, said the sites illustrated how intelligence-led operations are redefining industrial resilience and sustainability.
Brands
KKR sixes to power EV charger rollout under VIDA campaign
Cricket meets clean mobility as big hits spark India’s charging growth
NEW DELHI: VIDA, the electric mobility arm of Hero MotoCorp, has teamed up with Kolkata Knight Riders to launch a campaign that turns cricketing flair into real-world impact.
Titled ‘6 for 6’, the initiative promises to install a 6kW fast EV charger for every six hit by KKR during the ongoing Indian Premier League season. The idea is simple but powerful, as each big hit on the field contributes directly to expanding India’s fast-charging infrastructure.
The campaign builds on VIDA’s growing network, which already spans over 5,300 fast-charging points across more than 430 cities. With EV adoption gaining pace, the brand is using cricket’s mass appeal to accelerate both awareness and infrastructure growth.
Explaining the thinking behind the move, Hero MotoCorp emerging mobility business unit chief business officer Kausalya Nandakumar said, “Cricket has an incredible ability to unite and inspire millions across the country. With the ‘6 for 6’ campaign, we are turning every big hit on the field into a step towards a cleaner and a more accessible mobility future.”
She added that VIDA’s expanding fast-charging network and removable battery technology are designed to make EV ownership more convenient and practical for everyday users.
From the franchise’s side, the campaign is also about giving on-field moments a larger purpose. Kolkata Knight Riders chief executive officer Venky Mysore said, “The ‘6 for 6’ campaign exemplifies the potential of sport as a platform for meaningful, real-world impact. By linking every six to the expansion of EV charging infrastructure, this partnership transforms fan excitement into tangible progress.”
As part of the rollout, VIDA has introduced co-branded charging stations in KKR’s signature colours, with a flagship installation unveiled alongside team players. The chargers are designed for quick top-ups, powering VIDA scooters from zero to 80 percent in about an hour, while also being positioned along key highways to support longer journeys.
The initiative also taps into VIDA’s removable battery system, which allows users to charge using standard household plug points, adding flexibility to the charging ecosystem.
By blending the thrill of cricket with the urgency of clean mobility, VIDA and KKR have found a neat way to make every six count twice, once on the scoreboard and again on India’s road to an electric future.
