Leader Industries Private Limited has been creating milestones for over 55 years. Late shri Dwarka Prasad Aggarwal Ji laid the foundation stone on 18th-Aug-1969.
The company reached new heights of success when it received the prestigious gold medal in 1984–85 from Trans World Trade Fair under the dedicated and exemplary leadership of Late Shri D.P Aggarwal and the President of India, Late Shri Giyani Jail Singh. We have seen many ups and downs over these 55 years, but the constant efforts of the team and the exceptional management skills of Late Shri D.P Aggarwal along with his sons Mr. Sanjeev Aggarwal (M.D) and Mr. Sandeep Aggarwal (E.M.D), have constantly fueled the growth of the company, transforming it into the most dynamic business house in India.
The recent global shift to renewable energy and lower reliance on fossil fuels is leading to a boom in electrification and energy storage worldwide. The e-mobility sector alone will drive the need for batteries to new heights. Spurred by the EV industry, lithium ion-based battery solutions will most likely dominate in the near future.
The battery industry is experiencing significant growth driven by the increasing demand for e-rickshaw batteries, renewable energy storage solutions, and inverter batteries. This growth is also fueled by government incentives promoting sustainable energy solutions. However, challenges such as supply chain disruptions and raw material shortages are impacting the industry’s expansion.
Aligning with global objectives, Leader Industries Private Limited, a 55-year-old company, manufactures battery plates, lead, and finished batteries. Lead acid batteries will continue to serve critical segments as these are technologically proven and simple to use.
Discover what sets Leader Batteries apart in our exclusive interview with Mr. Sanjeev Aggarwal for our “India’s Most Inspiring Business Leaders in Battery Industry 2024” edition. Gain valuable insights into their leadership philosophy and uncover the secrets behind Leader Batteries’ remarkable success. Get ready to learn from the top minds in the industry!
Prime Insights: What inspired you to start your company?
Led by Mr. Sanjeev Aggarwal, the company has for over five decades made its name synonymous with best Battery (Brand “LEADER”), Battery Plates, Lead and Lead Alloys. Leader Batteries caters to the EV sector including the e-rickshaw battery, solar and inverter sectors. I have been deeply involved in the contracting and execution of battery manufacturing & services. This area has always fascinated me and has been the subject of my core interest. We have been constantly upgrading to deliver best battery in the trade to Indian customers at par with international standards but at domestic prices.
Prime Insights: What were the initial challenges faced by your business?
Late Shri Dwarka Prasad Aggarwal Ji laid the foundation stone on 18th Aug 1969 in New Delhi’s Gokhle market. Starting out as a trader in battery components and raw materials, Mr. D.P Aggarwal established the company after completing his graduation from Kolkata. Our initial challenges included establishing a reliable supply chain, and building a skilled team. Additionally, we faced competition and had to work hard to differentiate our innovative battery technology. Through extensive research and development, a technological upgrade, we have perfected our manufacturing our of batteries, making it the most reliable product for it’s loyal customers.
Prime Insights: To begin, how is your brand-defining “trust” in the market? What stands behind its uniqueness?
It goes without any doubt that consumers have become more critical than ever. The end users always expect the products to go beyond their end of life. This is what the customers refer to as a good return on investment. In today’s world, everyone is busy fulfilling their requirements and earning bread and butter. Service-related issues or quality issues in the initial days of purchase are quite frustrating for customers, and they expect a quick replacement process. Leader Batteries has been able to optimize the turnaround time (TAT) through the online services so that the customers don’t face any kind of unreasonable post-sale barriers for replacement. We embrace improvement and aim to provide solutions to our partners and clients with honesty, integrity.
Prime Insights: What are the offerings (services/solutions)?
Leader Industries Private Limited manufactures E-Rickshaw, inverter batteries, & solar batteries & also working on lithium-ion batteries. Leader Batteries is approved by ASRTU and also by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). Exporting to 35+ countries, they are producing roughly 1 million batteries per year at their two major plants located in Uttarakhand and Delhi.
Prime Insights: In an age of mistrust, are you seeing an evolution in how consumers trust brands, or are they still, for the most part, doubtful?
In an age of mistrust, we observe a significant evolution in consumer trust towards brands. While skepticism remains, consumers increasingly value transparency, authenticity, and ethical practices. Leader Batteries Brands prioritize these aspects and engage openly with their audience with experience in industry over the past 55 years.
Prime Insights: How did you make your mark in the industry and in the hearts of the customers?
In our philosophy, a product is embedded with quality right from the start and is strengthened throughout the value chain process. Engineering the best quality products that set benchmarks not just in India but globally too, and a strong workforce with a continuous strive for excellence helps the company to progress ahead.
Prime Insights: What is a customer for you?
At Leader Batteries company, a customer is a cornerstone of our mission. We strive to provide the best solutions for our customers. They are our collaborators and inspirations, driving us to continuously innovate and improve. We are committed to building strong, lasting relationships based on trust, quality, and mutual success. They are at the heart of everything we do, motivating us to deliver top-notch products and solutions that meet their evolving needs and exceed their expectations.
Prime Insights: How well are the clients connected with your company?
We regularly engage in conversations with our clients to uncover any issues that might go unnoticed in our daily operations. This allows us to identify areas for improvement and deliver optimal results. By incorporating client insights into our business strategy, we ensure their satisfaction with both past and ongoing business. Also, we do meetings & special events for our channel partners to identify any overlooked issues.
Prime Insights: What are the most effective marketing initiatives or programs you have used to promote your initiatives/offerings/services?
Leader Industries Private Limited has implemented activities on various channels by organizing multi-sensory camps & activities, endorsing advertisements in battery segment publications, running promotion campaigns on social media platforms, providing channel partners with exclusive schemes, educational master classes, collaborations with influencers and celebrities, and more effective marketing initiatives.
Prime Insights: Any new categories or changes this year?
With our corporate office located in New Delhi and the factory at Pant Nagar (Uttarakhand) , the state-of-the-art manufacturing & all the modern machinery are a must-visit-place. “Even industries are shifting from existing conventional processes to environmentally friendly processes. So, there is a huge market for batteries, as these are the only power storage options available,” says Mr. Aggarwal.
We are also working on expanding the export market from the current worldwide presence of 35+ countries to 50+ countries.
Prime Insights: Have you measured how much trust consumers have in your brand?
Measuring consumer trust in your brand is crucial for understanding and enhancing customer loyalty and satisfaction. We do surveys, online reviews, customer feedback & testimonials, & many other indicative parameters, which gives us a comprehensive understanding of the trust consumers have in our brand.
Prime Insights: What’s the first thing that enters a consumer’s mind when they see your brand?
Customers perceive us as a reliable battery brand. When consumers see our brand, their first thought is influenced by their previous experiences, brand reputation, visual identity, and emotional connection. It could be a recall of product quality, customer service, or how our brand differentiates itself from competitors. This immediate impression is crucial in shaping their perception and future interactions with your brand.
Prime Insights: What is the future plan for the brand?
We have an integrated plant of manufacturing lead-acid batteries & Leader Battery is expanding its existing capacity and planning to add new plants to achieve 3 million production units by 2024 and 5 million units by 2025. “For the last five years, our CAGR was around 75 percent. And for next year, we are planning around a 100 percent CAGR. We have done the bench-marking, and through regular testing and quality checks, we assure our customers of supreme quality products that surpass those of our competitors.
Prime Insights: How has your journey as an entrepreneur been?
The future that I envision is massively competitive and can only be accomplished with a commitment to being a life-long learner. Today, I want to build confidence in people’s minds in order to help them take action. I love this type of process because I am able to earn people’s trust and manage their expectations.
Prime Insights: What do you hope to accomplish within the next year from a personal as well as a professional point of view?
Leader Batteries is expanding its existing capacity and planning to add new plants to achieve 3 million production units by 2024 and 5 million units by 2025.
Prime Insights: A piece of advice for young entrepreneurs?
True leaders challenge the status quo & pursue their goals with unwavering determination. Don’t let social expectations dictate your path. A leader always finds the way to success.
Prime Insights: Feedback from your end would be really appreciated. Your words matter for us!!
To Prime Insights readers, I would like to convey my gratitude for your interest & queries. As business leaders, we have a shared responsibility to inspire, educate, and empower one another. Let us continue to collaborate, share insights, and learn from each other’s experiences to drive innovation, growth, and positive change in the business world. Together, we can overcome challenges, seize opportunities, and create a brighter future for generations to come.