General Interest
Prakash Chandran is Siemens Malaysia's First Asian CEO to Helm the German Engineering MNC
New captain of the ship aims to steer Siemens Malaysia as the preferred business partner in Asia
Kuala Lumpur, Oct 29, 2009
M.Prakash Chandran is the new CEO of Siemens Malaysia- the first Asian to be appointed for the position. He will assume the role from 1st November, taking over from current President & CEO, German Tan Sri Rainer Althoff, who held the post for 10 years. Prakash is the Executive Vice President & Head of Energy Sector, ASEAN, and his new portfolio as Country CEO is an additional role. He will continue with his cluster role as the Head of Energy Sector ASEAN.
The Indian born Prakash assumed his first role in Siemens Malaysia in 1996. Siemens Malaysia takes the appointment of Prakash as the first Asian CEO of the company, as a positive indication of Siemens Malaysia's stability and established growth in Malaysia, while being recognised by the Western bigwigs the proven ability and capability of Asians to be in top leadership roles. His appointment is expected to set a precedent for more Asians to be in similar roles of the German company in the future, and this diversity build up is also said to be a key factor in Siemens for the future.
Aged 46, the young and dynamic Prakash aims to mould Siemens Malaysia as the preferred business partner in Asia, with good customer service being one of his main areas of improvement.
"Only a year ago, I was a "power" man, mainly focusing my entrepreneurial passion for excellence in our Energy business. Being the Cluster Lead for ASEAN's Energy Sector, I have learnt that there were a lot of tailored needs from the customers in the region that could have been addressed even more effectively, with strengthened competencies and critical focus," said Prakash in his acceptance speech the Farewell and Welcome Soiree- CEO Handover Event at the JW Marriott in Kuala Lumpur today.
The soiree was witnessed by Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water, Y.B Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui. Also present was Tan Sri Rainer Althoff and Siemens Malaysia's customers and stakeholders.
Siemens is now modeled on three sectors, namely Industry, Energy and Healthcare, and Prakash's ambition is integrate the three sectors into "Siemens One" by retraining the individual identities and energy specific expertise for delivering products, systems, and solutions into each of these three sectors in a differentiated mode, customers in need of cross sector and multiple sectors assortment of product & system packages and solutions.'
Added Prakash, "As Siemens, we are able to work in a differentiated mode of the three sectors of Industry, Energy and Healthcare with individual identities and objectives intact. We can also work in an integrated "Siemens One" mode to drive our natural advantages. The selection of the mode of approach shall always be governed by customer needs, not what we have. Understanding the customers' needs clearly shall always be an aspect where we would be spending our time and efforts on,".
In 2008, Siemens began its new direction on marketing its environmental portfolio, a technology which is available across all three sectors of Siemens' business. Prakash will continue this mandate which Siemens Malaysia has been promoting here in Malaysia (and worldwide).
"We are also blessed at this juncture that the Malaysian Government is taking the issue of sustainability very seriously. The newly launched National Green Policy reflects a progressive and promising outlook here in Malaysia. And our products, systems, solutions and services are geared to tap achieve the needs of a more sustainable Malaysia in the future. Siemens has enormous potential to leverage our resources here. This will keep our company on the course of sustainability and oriented toward green growth markets, markets with above average growth in the medium and long term. For us at Siemens, this means that we will become even stronger and more active in these areas.
Investing sufficiently in R&D for our environmental portfolio is just one important part of this. At present, all of us are also working in a more coordinated and efficient way to shorten time to market our innovations.," said Prakash.
About Siemens
Siemens AG (Berlin and Munich) is a global powerhouse in electronics and electrical engineering, operating in the industry, energy and healthcare sectors. The company has around 430,000 employees (in continuing operations) working to develop and manufacture products, design and install complex systems and projects, and tailor a wide range of solutions for individual requirements. For over 160 years, Siemens has stood for technical achievements, innovation, quality, reliability and internationality. In fiscal 2008, Siemens had revenue of €77.3 billion and a net income of €5.9 billion (IFRS).
Since its inception into Malaysia in 1972, Siemens has actively participated in Malaysia's dynamic economic and social growth. With close to 4,000 staff strength, it has grown to become the second largest German company in Malaysia. Backed by its global network of innovation, Siemens Malaysia assures its customers of international expertise localized and tailor-made to suit their business needs. Today, it is one of the leading technology providers in the country with comprehensive products, services and solutions for various markets in the Malaysian of economy such as oil and gas, power, water, process industries, ports, airports, rail, healthcare and hospitality; served in three sectors of Industry, Energy and Healthcare.
Siemens Group of Companies in Malaysia includes Siemens Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Siemens Industrial Workshop Sdn Bhd, OSRAM (M) Sdn Bhd and OSRAM Opto Semiconductors (M) Sdn Bhd. For more information, visit www.siemens.com.my.
Corporate Responsibility
As a committed corporate citizen, Siemens Malaysia has actively participated in various local corporate responsibility activities, focusing on the areas of arts and culture, youth, sports and charity. Siemens reaffirmed its commitment towards sports and charity through Siemens Run, an annual run whereby the proceeds are channeled 100 per cent to charities involving children and youth. Bringing technological innovation for the betterment of lives, the company also donated to 300 underprivileged children with hearing impairment with Siemens Hearing Aids through the Living and Learning Aids for Handicapped Children Program together with the Kuala Lumpur DiRaja Rotary Club. Under the Siemens Caring Hands Foundation, the company empowers its’ employees to change the lives of the underprivileged through regular long- term scheduled activities benefit the charities.
This press release has been published by the Communications Department, Siemens Malaysia Sdn Bhd.
Your contact at Siemens Malaysia:-
Ms Vasanthe Narayanasamy
Head, Communications
DL: 03 -7952 4180
M: 012 – 315 0515
Email: vasanthe.narayanasamy@siemens.com
Ms Pearly Yeoh
Media Specialist
DL: 03 – 7952 5078
M: 012- 243 8028
Email: pearly.yeoh@siemens.com
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