With over two decades of multi-sector expertise, Mr. Rakesh Kumar, Vice President – India Operations at Cortland International, exemplifies operational excellence rooted in innovation, discipline, and people-first leadership. His cross-industry experience spans advanced manufacturing domains, including die casting, fabrication, safety glass, and NVH solutions for the automotive sector. Grounded in continuous improvement and customer-centricity, his leadership has consistently driven measurable transformation.
Over the years, Rakesh has successfully managed multi-plant operations and delivered business turnarounds that improved productivity, reduced defects, and earned global recognition. His achievements have been honoured with multiple awards, such as the Indian Achiever Award, the JIPM TPM Excellence Award, and the India Manufacturing Excellence Award – Gold Category for FY23 by Frost & Sullivan. An alumnus of BITS Pilani and IIM Ahmedabad, he integrates data-driven decision-making with team empowerment and builds sustainable organisations designed for long-term impact.
Recognised as one of the Most Inspiring Retail Leaders in India 2025, Rakesh shared his sustainability philosophy in an insightful conversation with Corporate TrendZ:
“Sustainability cannot be treated as a separate initiative; it must be woven into daily operations. My approach is guided by the 3R principle: Reduce, Replace, and Reuse. By embedding sustainability into operational practices, companies create immediate value while safeguarding long-term competitiveness.”
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