K-Lite is transforming India’s lighting industry

K-Lite’s visionary leader, Sharmila Kumbhat, is redefining India’s lighting landscape and empowering future leaders.

Early beginnings: A determined path to success
Sharmila began her business journey at 16 with Metal Craft, a fabrication unit, where she honed her technical and leadership skills. At 19, she earned the prestigious “Best Female Entrepreneur Award” from the then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, marking a significant milestone in her career. During her design studies in New York, she founded and operated two successful export-orientated companies, which helped her gain deep insights into global business dynamics. Driven to contribute to India, she returned to Chennai to join her family business, K-Lite Industries, a leading manufacturer of luminaires and decorative poles. At K-Lite, she introduced innovative design concepts, streamlined operations, and transformed the firm into a modern, system-driven entity.

Sharmila cherishes her time with Ratan Tata, whose leadership and values profoundly impacted her. Her focus on quality, modularity, and design excellence has strengthened the company’s position nationally and globally. Under her leadership, K-Lite has supplied custom lighting solutions to prestigious projects, including the Indian Parliament area, the Parliament Complex in Cairo, and renowned religious sites like the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Ayodhya, and Varanasi.

A champion of innovation: Shaping the future of smart lighting
Recognising the role of lighting in urban planning and smart city development, Sharmila has led K-Lite’s expansion into this space. Through K-Lite Europe in London, K-Lite serves the growing European market with advanced lighting solutions. This expansion has positioned K-Lite as a leader in smart lighting, catering to the evolving needs of modern urban environments. Collaborating with international designers and consultants, Sharmila continues to push the boundaries of what lighting can achieve.

Empowering women: A visionary leader with a commitment to equality
Sharmila’s advocacy for women’s empowerment is reflected through K-Lite having more than 50 percent women workforce, which is remarkable in an industry traditionally dominated by men. Her commitment to fostering an inclusive work environment stems from her belief that everyone has unique strengths and potential. Her journey, marked by resilience and determination, serves as an inspiration to women across industries. By breaking barriers in a male-dominated sector, she has shown that women can succeed and be leaders in highly competitive industries. Sharmila actively mentors young professionals, both within and outside her organisation.

A vision for the future: Leading with purpose and passion
Sharmila continues to lead K-Lite and remains committed to innovation, excellence, and empowerment. Her vision for the future is to create lighting solutions that meet today’s needs and anticipate tomorrow’s demands. Her work in smart city lighting, sustainable design, and global expansion has positioned K-Lite as a leader in next-generation lighting solutions. Sharmila Kumbhat remains a guiding force in the lighting industry and a role model for aspiring businesswomen worldwide.

For more details, visit: https://www.klite.in/

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