Archive · 9 Nov 2025
Panasonic India Embraces Indian Identity Under Sharma's Leadership
Imagine a big company called Panasonic that started in Japan but has been working in India for almost 20 years.
The boss who is leaving soon, Manish, says that now, many people in India think of Panasonic India more like an Indian company, even though its main home is still in Japan.
He helped change the company by focusing on selling complete solutions, like smart factories and technology, instead of just individual products like TVs.
He also made the company a place where employees feel like they can make quick decisions and own their work, like a team of entrepreneurs, rather than having a boss tell them everything.
Manish was one of the first Indians to lead a big Japanese company's business in India, and he inspired other companies to do the same.
He believes the company is becoming a strong technology and manufacturing leader.
He's excited about his next big step, promising it will be even more impactful.
Panasonic India is increasingly perceived as an Indian company with Japanese origins after nearly two decades of operation.
The company is transforming into a solutions-oriented entity with two key growth areas: consumer business and B2B/industrial solutions.
Manish Sharma's leadership focused on shifting the company's mindset from product-centric to solution-driven and from hierarchical to entrepreneurial.
The smart factory solutions business is experiencing rapid growth, expected to reach ₹1,000-2,000 crore in the coming years.
Manish Sharma, the outgoing Chairman, was a pioneering Indian leader in a Japanese multinational and aims to embark on a larger impact initiative in his next venture.
- Who
- Manish Sharma, outgoing Chairman of Panasonic India, and his successor Tadashi Chiba.
- What
- Panasonic India is transforming into a solutions-oriented technology and manufacturing powerhouse, increasingly perceived as an Indian company with Japanese roots.
- When
- Manish Sharma is stepping down as Chairman by the end of 2025.
- Where
- Panasonic India, a subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation, Japan.
- Why
- To shift the company's identity, foster a more entrepreneurial culture, and leverage growth in B2B and industrial solutions, particularly smart factory solutions.
Sharma's Perspective
Global Management
Company Identity
Sharma's Perspective
Panasonic India is increasingly seen as an Indian company with Japanese roots, transforming from a product-centric to a solution-driven and entrepreneurial organization.
Global Management
Implicitly suggested by Sharma's statement that he found it difficult to convince them of his resignation, indicating a potential differing view on the pace or direction of transformation or leadership changes.
Leadership Transition
Sharma's Perspective
Sharma believes he is leaving no void and that excellent talent he hired can take the company forward.
Global Management
The difficulty in convincing global management of his resignation might imply they did not view the transition as seamlessly as Sharma.
- Outgoing Chairman
- Manish Sharma
- Successor
- Tadashi Chiba (Japanese national)
- Sharma's Tenure Start
- 2008
- Sharma's MD & CEO Tenure
- 2012
- Sharma's Chairman Tenure
- From 2021 until end of 2025
- Key Transformation Focus
- From product-centric to solution-driven; hierarchical to entrepreneurial
- Smart Factory Solutions Growth Projection
- ₹1,000-2,000 crore in next few years
- Sharma's Global Role
- Youngest non-Japanese executive officer of Panasonic Corporation in its 100-year history
