MAM
Gaurav Malhotra steps down as MD of Hansgrohe India
Mumbai: Hansgrohe India has announced that Gaurav Malhotra has stepped down from his role as managing director, effective 30 September. Since his appointment in 2017, Gaurav has been a pivotal leader, driving significant growth and innovation in the organization. After a successful nearly eight-year tenure at Hansgrohe India he has chosen to take a personal sabbatical. Following his departure, vice president Asia – Thomas Stopper will take over Gaurav’s responsibilities on an interim basis to ensure a seamless transition and continued momentum for India operations.
During his tenure, Gaurav Malhotra spearheaded key initiatives that solidified Hansgrohe India’s position as a leader in the Indian bathroom industry and fostered strategic partnerships in the real estate and hospitality sectors.
Currently, Thomas has been with Hansgrohe Group for 15 years, during which he has held various key positions. Known for his strategic thinking and execution-oriented mindset, Thomas is a passionate leader who excels at bridging cultures and connecting headquarters with local markets. He is committed to maintaining the momentum established by Gaurav Malhotra and has a clear vision for driving innovation and growth at Hansgrohe India.
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Gaurav for his invaluable contributions to Hansgrohe India and wish him the very best in his future endeavours,” stated Hansgrohe Group’s VP Asia, Thomas Stopper. “His leadership has been instrumental in driving our success and enhancing our brand’s reputation in the Indian market. We look forward to following his journey and are excited to see the great things he will accomplish in the future.”
As Hansgrohe India transitions into this new phase, the company remains dedicated to enhancing its market presence and delivering innovative solutions that redefine bathroom spaces across the country.
Brands
Trump announces $300bn Texas oil refinery with Reliance, calls it the biggest in US history
First new US refinery in 50 years planned at Brownsville port with Reliance
WASHINGTON: The United States may soon see the first brand-new oil refinery built on its soil in half a century.
Donald Trump announced a proposed $300 billion refinery project in Texas, calling it a landmark moment for American energy production and jobs.
Posting on Truth Social on 10 March, Trump said the facility would be built at the Port of Brownsville and developed by a company called America First Refining, with major investment from India’s Reliance Industries.
The announcement frames the project as a centrepiece of the administration’s push for “energy dominance”, with Trump claiming it would deliver thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in economic activity to South Texas.
If realised, the plant would mark the first all-new major refinery constructed in the United States since the 1970s. In recent decades, oil companies have largely chosen to expand existing facilities rather than build new ones, citing high costs, regulatory hurdles and environmental scrutiny.
Trump described the proposed investment as the “biggest in US history”, positioning it as proof that policy changes such as streamlined permits and lower taxes are drawing large-scale energy investments back into the country.
The refinery is planned for the Port of Brownsville, a strategic Gulf Coast location that provides easy access to shipping routes and export markets.
A key partner in the project is Reliance Industries, controlled by billionaire industrialist Mukesh Ambani. The company already runs the world’s largest refining complex in Jamnagar, India, making it one of the most experienced operators in large-scale petroleum processing.
The Texas venture would mark a significant step for the group into America’s domestic refining sector, potentially strengthening industrial ties between the US and India.
The proposed refinery is being promoted as a next-generation facility capable of processing American shale oil while maintaining high environmental standards. Trump said it would be “the cleanest refinery in the world”, although the specific technologies behind that claim have not yet been detailed.
Industry observers also note that the $300 billion figure is unusually large for a refinery project, and analysts are waiting for more clarity on whether the number reflects total construction costs, long-term infrastructure investment, or broader economic impact estimates.
As of 11 March, Reliance Industries had not publicly confirmed the investment size or the structure of its involvement.
For now, the announcement has sparked equal parts excitement and curiosity in energy markets. If the plan moves from promise to pouring concrete, the refinery could reshape the Gulf Coast energy landscape, and reopen a chapter in American refining that has been quiet for nearly fifty years.
