Brands
HNGIL appoints Rakesh Mehta as COO, north after Madhvani takeover
KOLKATA: Hindustan National Glass & Industries Ltd (HNGIL) has appointed Rakesh Mehta as chief operating officer, north, with immediate effect, strengthening its leadership team following its acquisition by Independent Sugar Corporation Ltd (INSCO), part of Uganda-based Madhvani Group, in September 2025.
The appointment signals HNGIL’s post-acquisition push to sharpen operational execution and accelerate growth in northern India. Mehta will oversee manufacturing facilities across the region, with a mandate spanning supply-chain optimisation, production efficiency and market expansion across pharmaceuticals, liquor, beverages and food packaging segments.
Mehta brings more than two decades of experience across finance, commercial operations, contracting and regional leadership. Prior to joining HNGIL, he served as finance head – north at Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd from 2013, and held senior roles at Reliance Retail, managing distribution, logistics and operations across Gurugram and key northern markets.
Commenting on the appointment, chief strategy and corporate affairs officer Suraj Mehta, said the leadership addition comes at a pivotal moment for the company. He added that Mehta’s operational depth and strategic perspective would strengthen northern operations and support HNGIL’s ambition to retain leadership in container glass manufacturing.
Rakesh Mehta said he was excited to join HNGIL following the acquisition and looked forward to driving efficiency, innovation and scalable growth to deliver world-class glass packaging solutions to customers.
Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Kolkata, HNGIL operates 11 furnaces and 44 production lines, supported by advanced glassmaking technology sourced from Europe and the United States.
Brands
Raj Cooling Systems launches Agreyas appliances brand
Emraan Hashmi named brand ambassador for consumer appliance push.
MUMBAI: A company known for cooling solutions is now heating up its ambitions in the home appliances market. Raj Cooling Systems Pvt. Ltd. has launched a new consumer appliances brand, Agreyas, marking its entry into India’s rapidly expanding home appliances sector valued at more than Rs 1.5 lakh crore. The move represents a strategic diversification for the company, which has traditionally focused on cooling solutions for residential, commercial and industrial applications. Through Agreyas, the firm plans to tap into growing consumer demand for energy efficient and technology driven household appliances.
To build brand visibility, Agreyas has appointed Emraan Hashmi as its brand ambassador. The campaign has been developed under the banner of Zoommantra Productions, with actor and filmmaker Rohit Roy contributing to the creative direction.
The brand’s initial portfolio will include mid premium air conditioners, washing machines, geysers and other white goods designed to cater to modern Indian households seeking efficient and reliable appliances.
Raj Cooling Systems, founder and chairman Kalpesh Ramoliya said the launch aligns with the company’s broader expansion plans.
“The launch of Agreyas is in line with our vision to build a strong presence in India’s consumer electronics and home appliances market. The brand has been developed as a standalone identity to meet the evolving needs of Indian consumers,” he said.
Hashmi said the collaboration comes at a time when Indian buyers are increasingly looking for innovative and functional home solutions.
“I’m looking forward to working with Agreyas at a time when consumers are seeking more innovative and efficient home products. The brand reflects changing consumer behaviour around functionality, innovation and ease of use,” he said.
Raj Cooling Systems plans to invest around 10 million dollars in developing the brand, with an additional 5 million dollars earmarked over the next three to five years for product development and distribution expansion.
Agreyas will follow a multi channel distribution approach, selling through online platforms, retail outlets and dealer networks aimed at both urban and semi urban markets across India.
With the launch, the company is positioning Agreyas as a standalone consumer facing brand while continuing to leverage its existing manufacturing, engineering and research capabilities built through its core cooling solutions business.
