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5 Questions with Hemant Khurana of Saint-Gobain on blending sustainability and innovation
JUL 30, 2024 | By Team ELLE DECOR India
What would life be like without the visionaries who imagine and shape our tomorrow? Reshaping the future of home improvement with a strong commitment to sustainability and innovation, Hemant Khurana, Managing Director, Mortars and Homes Business, Saint-Gobain India, is a pivotal force in advancing the company’s end-to-end solutions model for homeowners and developers. At the forefront of developing the MyHome platform, he transforms traditional Saint-Gobain materials into cutting-edge, sustainable B2C solutions. His role encompasses accelerating the end-to-end solutions business, achieving financial targets, pursuing mergers and acquisitions and fostering strategic partnerships.
With over two decades of experience at Saint-Gobain and Akzo Nobel, Hemant has expertise across diverse sectors including paints, glass, and sanitary-ware. He also holds a board position at Saint-Gobain India and advises Livspace, strengthening collaborative ventures. Previously, as Managing Director for Saint-Gobain Malaysia and Singapore, Hemant led a successful turnaround, showcasing his skill in business strategy and M and A. His track record reflects a deep commitment to innovation, digital transformation and strategic growth.
1. What are Saint-Gobain’s goals for the coming year?
Saint-Gobain’s target for the coming year includes expanding its concept brand My Home’s offerings to tap into the vast potential of India’s tier 2 and tier 3 markets. The company aims to align this expansion with its ambitious growth trajectory and is committed to achieving ₹1000 crore in revenue by 2026. Additionally, Saint-Gobain remains focused on delivering a seamless phygital customer experience to solidify its leadership in India’s home solutions market.
2. How do you plan to expand My Home stores in 2024?
In 2024, My Home has expanded both its product offerings and store presence. Key strategic areas include integrating solutions from Saint-Gobain’s group companies such as Gyproc and Weber and expanding the physical footprint across the stores particularly in tier 2 and tier 3 cities.
Our rapid store expansion goes hand-in-hand with the extension of the Saint-Gobain service experience. We are actively building a robust network of certified local installers to ensure a consistent and high-quality experience across our presence. Additionally, Saint-Gobain is enhancing customer experience through innovative retail concepts like the new My Home IDX stores which provides, and offers tailored journeys for diverse consumer personas, combining immersive inspiration with interactive digital experiences to meet varying customer needs effectively.
3. How do Saint-Gobain’s values shape its vision for the future of home improvement retail and influence its products?
Saint-Gobain envisions a future where home improvement retail empowers consumers, architects, and designers to create their ideal spaces. Our strategy focuses on expanding our product range and enhancing the phygital shopping experience at MyHome stores, which provide a broad selection of products and expert guidance.
A prime example is the MyHome IDX store in Chennai, showcasing sustainable solutions and advanced technologies like the upcoming 360° virtual walkthrough. This technology allows for virtual exploration and enriches the in-store experience.
Our values, encapsulated in our mission of Making The World A Better Home, are reflected in our products. For example, our sound control windows reduce noise by up to 50%, and our energy-efficient windows manage temperatures by 70%. Our ETC-coated shower cubicles combine easy maintenance with top safety standards. Rigorous testing and toughening ensure that our glass products meet the highest quality and safety standards for home environments.
4. How does the “phy-gital” experience of MyHome IDX compare to traditional stores?
My Home IDX redefines traditional retail by offering two distinct journeys that caters to diverse consumer needs: an immersive Inspiration Decor experience and an Interactive Digital journey. This phygital approach integrates digital tools and gamified elements to enhance customer engagement and streamline consultations. This allows for interactive exploration of products and services, facilitating an enriching consultation that caters to varying preferences and decision-making styles.
5. Describe the Inspiration Decor and Interactive Digital journey. How do they enhance the customer experience?
Through digital tools and personalised consultations, Saint-Gobain is enhancing the in-store experience, catering not only to homeowners but also to architects and designers seeking inspiration and expert guidance. The store inspires not only Customers but the Designers also.
Customers and Designers seeking creative inspiration can explore beautifully curated decor setups that spark design ideas. Various design styles and themes are showcased to help visualise different aesthetics and concepts for their projects. Of course, they also physically interact with different materials and finishes, aiding the selection process.
In addition, the store provides Interactive Product Displays that help make informed decisions based on specifications and functionality. Interactive tools allow to play with products in different settings, customise configurations, and experiment with design options. Expert consultants offer tailored advice, ensuring customised specific guidance and support for their unique project needs.
