JMD and CEO, JSW Infrastructure
Arun Sitaram Maheshwari is the joint managing director (JMD) and chief executive officer (CEO) of JSW Infrastructure. He has over 30 years of experience in multiple facets of business, including sales and marketing, procurement of steel and power generation raw materials, corporate strategy, ports and related infrastructure. He has worked with the JSW Group for almost three decades in various roles.
While talking about the port industry, Maheshwari says a lot of consolidation has already taken place in the industry and many new projects are taking shape. The government’s steps towards the privatisation of major port terminals will see many new players entering the sector and giving it a further boost. Besides, given the government’s focus on this sector, there are ample opportunities for industry players that have a long-term vision, strong balance sheets and a firm belief in Indian growth prospects.
For Maheshwari, there have been several memorable moments along his professional journey. But the standouts have been launching products in international markets, redesigning the procurement function and building growth strategies. The most recent memorable moment has been the listing of JSW Infrastructure on the Indian stock exchanges. “Seeing the company go public has been a satisfying experience,” Maheshwari says. “Besides, it induces more accountability, responsibility and responsiveness.”
According to Maheshwari, “The country’s infrastructure industry is relatively new and still growing. Policy upgradation to meet the needs of the growing economy is a continuous process. To remain relevant, there is a need to keep pace with these changes. Policy advocacy is expected from companies such as JSW Infrastructure, which is a significant player in the industry. Now that JSW Infrastructure is listed, the aim is to continue enhancing value for stakeholders by participating more rigorously in the growth journey of the country as well as the sector.”
Maheshwari has a degree in management. He is a strategist and a team builder and is known to lead by example. He is also a good team player, persuasive and open to ideas. While he is easy to approach and is empathetic, he believes that too much friendliness blurs the line of authority, which dilutes difficult decisions.
His strength at work comes from his family, which includes his wife and their son as well as his brothers and their families. In his spare time, he enjoys travelling, gardening and cooking.