hubergroup has appointed Suresh Kalra as managing director and head of regional business unit (RBU) Asia effective 1 January 2022. Kalra joined the company as executive director in September 2021 with a defined succession plan and has been inducted into the board of directors already. He has 23 years of experience in chemicals and specialties and a history of driving business growth across various regions globally.

Kalra has had a successful stint with the likes of Total, Chevron, Pidilite, Valvoline & WR Grace. His earlier role before joining hubergroup was managing director and vice president SI group – India, where he also served on the board of Korea and Singapore.

Kalra succeeds Ashwani Bhardwaj who has decided to retire from the company effective 30 January 2022. Bhardwaj had joined the company in 1995 as regional head of sales and held various positions before becoming managing director in 2007. He was instrumental in the integration of the Indian company into hubergroup. Under his leadership, hubergroup India (formerly Hindustan Inks and Micro Inks) has developed to a key cornerstone of hubergroup.

Heiner Klokkers, chairman of the management board, said, “Suresh Kalra is an accomplished leader known for his strong personal leadership and track record of driving business growth and corporate transformation. His breadth of experience in leading businesses in diverse and dynamic markets is an ideal fit with hubergroup’s strategic priorities, and we look forward to him leading hubergroup Asia in its next phase of growth.”

“I am very excited to be a part of hubergroup and I am looking forward to accelerating the momentum in our chemicals business while continuing to strengthen our position in print solutions on the Asian markets,” Kalra said. “My focus in this new position will be to leverage the company’s unique product portfolio, the strong manufacturing base in India, and the exceptional talent in executing our growth strategy.”