Archive: August 3, 2026

Second generation takes over – ‘Hidden Champion’ remains 100% in German family ownership

Igenhausen, Aug 03, the HAIMER Group will complete the generational change in its ownership structure. The company shares will be transferred to the second generation so that siblings Andreas and Kathrin Haimer now assume responsibility as Managing Directors and Shareholders. This puts the internationally active family-owned company’s long-term, owner-managed orientation on a clear path for the future.

Within the HAIMER Group – a globally leading manufacturer of shrink fit and balancing technology, tool holders and presetting machines, as well as a complete system provider for tool management solutions around the machine tool – the generational transition will be completed as of August 1, 2026. As part of a succession plan that has been prepared over many years, the shares of the HAIMER Group will be transferred to the founders’ children, Andreas and Kathrin Haimer.

Claudia and Franz Haimer, who founded the company in 1977 and built it up over the past decades to a hidden champion and global player, will remain operationally active in the management team until December 31, 2027. During this period, they will oversee the handover process to ensure a smooth and carefully prepared transition to the second generation. In addition, they will continue to support the company in the long term with their experience and network as members of a newly established Advisory Board.

“For us, this step is a very emotional moment as we place our life’s work in the hands of our children. At the same time, the handover is an important milestone in the development of our family business,” explains Claudia Haimer. “Andreas and Kathrin are closely connected to HAIMER for many years and have already successfully assumed responsibility in the management team. This ensures the continuity of our values, our technological expertise and our long-term strategy.”

By transferring the shares to Andreas and Kathrin Haimer, HAIMER strengthens its position as an independent, owner-managed family business that offers its customers the “Tool Room of the Future” as a holistic tool room concept providing greater efficiency, digitization and automation.

With this approach, HAIMER addresses the challenges faced by manufacturing companies which are increasingly under cost pressure while confronted with a shortage of skilled workers as well as the need to digitize and automate. HAIMER enables customers worldwide to machine more precisely, reliably and productively.

With HAIMER solutions, the shop floor can be digitized, and the tool assembly area can be automated. The generational change is therefore also a clear commitment to further strengthening this system expertise which is in line with the company philosophy of ‘Quality Wins’.

Despite rapidly changing and turbulent times in the metal working industry, this hidden champion remains 100% in German family ownership. This allows customers, partners and employees to continue to rely on long-term, sustainable decision-making.

Andreas and Kathrin Haimer have been working in various management positions in the company for many years and today form the management team of the HAIMER Group together with the founding couple. In their new role as Managing Partners, they will continue the established growth course while setting new innovations in the areas of digitization, automation and sustainability – for example, through the further expansion of digital products, networked tool room solutions and automated cells for shrinking, presetting and balancing.

In view of the many challenges in global markets, Kathrin Haimer particularly emphasizes the company’s responsibility towards people and employees:
“As a family-owned company, we bear responsibility – for the future of our business, for our employees, for the education of young people as apprentices, and for our local communities. Our task is to combine the values that HAIMER has stood for over decades with innovative strength and cutting-edge technology. In this way, we aim to actively shape the future of our company – as a reliable partner for our customers and an attractive employer.”

Andreas Haimer adds that from a technological and strategic perspective: “We are a manufacturing company ourselves, with more than 200 machine tools and an annual metal-cutting volume of around 5,000 tons – so we know from our own experience just how crucial stable, productive processes and well-thought-out tool management are. That is precisely why we are consistently investing in digitization and automation: from AI-capable shrink fit, balancing and presetting machines through our ‘Tool Room of the Future’ concept to global cooperation with machine tool builders where our networked solutions are deployed in their plants worldwide. The generational change gives us the entrepreneurial freedom to further expand this long-term strategy and to strengthen our role as a technology leader in the periphery around the machine tool and in the networking of the shop floor.”

Looking back on the joint achievements of the past decades, Franz Haimer states: “The success of HAIMER is inseparably linked to the commitment of our team around the world. The fact that we can now place our Group in the hands of our children and at the same time see a strong team carrying the company is, for us, the best foundation for a successful future for HAIMER. As a family-owned company that can act independently of corporate groups and in a sustainable manner for the benefit of our customers, we are currently seeing very strong demand from the semi-conductor, aerospace, space, defense and energy industries for our integrated tool room solutions. With these solutions, companies that want – and need – to prepare for the future can turn a previously unorganized tool assembly as a black box into a transparent, data-driven tool setup and presetting process, enabling production to run 24/7 at the highest levels of automation.”

KOKO Introduces a Limited-Time Chef’s Special Menu Inspired by Asia’s Most Distinctive Flavour

Mumbai, Aug 3: KOKO, the Asian luxury dining restaurant by Pebble Street Hospitality, returns with the latest edition of its much-awaited Chef’s Special Menu, available from 1st August 2026 across Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Introduced annually, the limited-time menu gives KOKO’s culinary team the opportunity to spotlight a defining ingredient or flavour that inspires the season. This year, the focus is on Mala, the bold, unmistakable flavour profile that has long held its place at the heart of Asian cuisine. 

Known for its balance of heat, spice and aromatic depth, mala serves as the starting point for a menu that explores its many expressions across salads, sushi, dim sum, small and big plates. Interpreted through KOKO’s signature style of modern Asian cuisine, each dish showcases a different expression of the flavour, highlighting its versatility while staying true to the restaurant’s refined approach to cooking. 

“At KOKO, every menu is an opportunity to evolve while staying true to the flavours our guests know and love.This Chef’s Special Menu is our take on Mala, a flavour profile that’s complex, premium and deeply soulful. We’ve reimagined it through a fresh perspective allowing its many layers to shine through dishes that feel both familiar and unexpected.” says Keenan Tham, Founder, Pebble Street Hospitality.

The menu begins with the Green Harvest Salad, a refreshing combination of romaine and iceberg lettuce, tempura crisps and sesame peppercorn dressing. The sushi selection features the Forest Mushroom Roll, bringing together avocado, cucumber and chia seeds, alongside the Smoked Truffle Dory Roll, with John Dory, avocado and smoked truffle mayo.

The dim sum offering includes the Golden Pocket, filled with mozzarella, cheddar and cream cheese, kimchi and green peppercorn, and the Imperial Lamb Dumpling, packed with lamb, scallions and peppercorn.

Among the small plates are Sesame Spinach Cake, served with chilli peppercorn oil, sesame and sweet chilli sauce, Garden Vegetables, Mala Style, a vibrant medley of seasonal vegetables tossed in KOKO’s signature mala sauce, Mala Chicken, Thai Chilli, featuring tender chicken with asparagus, water chestnuts, Thai chillies and dried chillies, and Lobster & Scallions, Mala Style, combining lobster with portobello mushrooms and fragrant peppercorns.

The larger plates include the Signature Roast Chicken, glazed with peppercorn oil and roasted peanuts, the Chef’s Signature Catch of the Day, featuring John Dory finished with a ginger chilli sauce, the Aromatic Pepper Fried Rice, infused with celery, baby corn and house-made aromatics, and the Lamb Chop Fried Rice, bringing together lamb chops, egg and bold Asian flavours.

The experience concludes with Brown Butter Indulgence, a rich brown butter cake served with chocolate mousse, salted caramel sauce and caramel ice cream.

“Every new menu begins with curiosity. Some dishes are inspired by flavours I’ve cooked with for years, while others come from experimenting with ingredients and techniques that continue to excite me. With this menu, I wanted to showcase the aromatic and layered character of mala. My hope is that guests leave having discovered a new side to a flavour they thought they already knew,”says Chef Eric Sifu, Chief Culinary Officer at KOKO.

Available for a limited time, KOKO’s Chef’s Special Menu invites guests to discover a fresh expression of one of Asia’s most celebrated flavours. Whether returning to KOKO or visiting for the first time, the menu offers a compelling reason to experience the restaurant’s evolving take on contemporary Asian cuisine.

Fact sheet:

Where:

KOKO Lower Parel, Trade World, Kamala Mills Compound, Senapati Bapat Road

KOKO Goregaon East, Mumbai, Avenue International Business Park, Oberoi Garden City

KOKO Bengaluru, Prestige Icon, Old Airport RoadKOKO Hyderabad, Ground Floor, RMZ Nexity, HITEC City

When: From 1 August 2026

Timings:

KOKO Lower Parel – Monday – Sunday, 12 PM – 4 PM, 7 PM – 1 AM

KOKO Goregaon – Monday to Sunday, 12 PM – 1 AMKOKO Bengaluru – Monday to Sunday, 12 PM – 4 PM, 7 PM – 1 AM

KOKO Hyderabad – Monday to Sunday, 12 PM – 1 AM

India’s Manufacturing Sector Continues Growth Momentum in July; Export Demand Strengthens Industrial Outlook

New Delhi, August 3: India’s manufacturing sector continued to expand in July, supported by steady export demand, improving business activity, and sustained confidence among manufacturers. The latest Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) stood at 53.5, indicating continued growth in factory operations.

The PMI reading above the 50-mark reflects a healthy expansion in manufacturing activity, with companies witnessing improvement in production, new orders, and overall business conditions. Although the pace of growth moderated, the sector remained firmly in expansion territory.

Strong export demand emerged as a major growth driver during the month, helping manufacturers maintain production momentum and strengthen order pipelines. The positive export trend highlights the growing role of Indian companies in global markets and supply chains.

The manufacturing sector’s performance also reflects the resilience of the Indian economy amid global uncertainties. Stable domestic demand, improved supply chain conditions, and favourable business sentiment have supported industrial activity.

The continued expansion of manufacturing carries wider economic significance, as the sector plays a crucial role in job creation, investment generation, industrial development, and strengthening India’s position as a global manufacturing destination.

Industry experts said sustained growth in factory activity, combined with rising export opportunities, could further support economic expansion in the coming months. A stronger manufacturing ecosystem is expected to benefit industries ranging from small and medium enterprises to large-scale manufacturers.

The latest PMI data underscores the importance of manufacturing as a key driver of India’s economic growth, contributing towards a more competitive, self-reliant, and globally integrated industrial sector.

Sarda Energy & Minerals reports record Q1 FY27 EBITDA and PAT

Mumbai, Aug  03: Sarda Energy & Minerals Limited  (‘Company’), announced its unaudited financial results for the quarter ended 30^th June 2026.

Key Highlights

*Cash Profit is calculated as Profit After Tax + Deferred tax + Depreciation

Commenting on the results, Mr. Pankaj Sarda, Managing Director, said: “Q1 FY27 demonstrated the resilience of our integrated business model and disciplined execution. Despite temporary operational disruptions arising from planned maintenance activities, select unplanned outages and seasonal factors, we delivered a 9.4% YoY growth in consolidated EBITDA in Q1 FY27. The energy business continued to drive growth, contributing nearly 70% of consolidated EBITDA. We also reported our highest-ever quarterly PAT of Rs. 478 crore, partly supported by the tariff true-up relating to our 113 MW Sikkim hydropower plant.

Backed by a net debt-free balance sheet, prudent capital allocation and healthy cash generation, we are confident in our ability to scale our operations by quadrupling our mining capacity and doubling our energy generation capacity over the medium term.

With the temporary operational disruptions behind us, we expect to return to our normal operating trajectory from Q2 FY27 while continuing to focus on operational excellence and creating sustainable long-term value for all our stakeholders.”

Dr. Chikkala Venugopal Rao Receives Business Excellence Award from Telangana Governor

Hyderabad, 03 August 2026: Dr. Chikkala Venugopal Rao, Founder & CEO of Verch Consulting LLP, was conferred the prestigious Business Excellence Award by Shiv Pratap Shukla, Hon’ble Governor of Telangana, during the INDIA & ASIA Business Conclave 2026, held at HITEX Exhibition Centre, Hyderabad.

The award was presented in recognition of Dr. Venugopal Rao‘s exceptional contributions to Human Resources, Executive Search, Leadership Consulting, and organisational development. Over the years, he has earned a distinguished reputation for providing strategic HR solutions and leadership hiring services to leading organisations across diverse industry sectors.

Speaking after receiving the award, Dr. Venugopal Rao expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Hon’ble Governor and the organisers of the conclave. He dedicated the honour to his team, clients, and professional associates who have been instrumental in the remarkable growth of Verch Consulting LLP.

“This recognition inspires us to continue our mission of building stronger organisations through exceptional leadership and innovative HR practices. I sincerely thank our clients, partners, and well-wishers for their continued trust and support,” he said.

Founded with a vision to transform the talent acquisition landscape, Verch Consulting LLP has emerged as one of India’s leading Executive Search and HR Consulting firms. The organisation partners with businesses across sectors to identify leadership talent, provide HR advisory services, and develop future-ready organisations.

Apart from being an accomplished entrepreneur, Dr. Venugopal Rao is a noted HR thought leader, author, mentor, and speaker. Through his writings, leadership development initiatives, and mentoring programmes, he has contributed significantly to the advancement of the HR profession and the development of young professionals.

The Business Excellence Award at the INDIA & ASIA Business Conclave is another milestone in Dr. Venugopal Rao‘s distinguished professional journey and reflects his continued commitment to excellence, innovation, and nation-building through people and leadership.