Chemetall India, part of the BASF Group, has appointed Alka Bhagat as Managing Director, reinforcing the company’s leadership with a seasoned executive renowned for her strategic acumen and industry expertise. With a career spanning 19 years across Chemetall, BASF, Abbott, and Bain & Company, Bhagat brings a wealth of experience in management consulting, business development, and strategic leadership across the Asia Pacific and South Asia regions. In her new role, she will focus on driving growth and innovation in surface treatment solutions, leveraging BASF’s global capabilities to enhance market presence and operational excellence.
Bhagat’s appointment builds on her extensive tenure with BASF, where she contributed significantly to the company’s regional leadership initiatives. She most recently served as Regional Marketing Head for Automotive Refinish Coatings Solutions in Hong Kong, overseeing marketing strategies across multiple markets. Prior to this, she led Country Development for BASF South Asia, shaping regional growth strategies and operational performance. Her experience at BASF has honed her ability to integrate global insights with local market execution.
Earlier in her career, Bhagat gained valuable experience at Abbott, serving as Head of New Products & Innovation, where she successfully led product development and innovation initiatives. She also began her professional journey at Bain & Company as an Associate Consultant and Case Team Leader, where she worked on strategy and transformation projects across diverse industries. These roles collectively highlight her proven track record in steering business transformation, market expansion, and operational excellence.
In her new capacity at Chemetall India, Bhagat is expected to spearhead initiatives that strengthen the company’s technological capabilities, expand its industrial footprint, and foster innovation in surface treatment solutions. Her leadership aligns with BASF Group’s broader objective of delivering sustainable and high-performance solutions to the Indian industrial sector.
With her extensive cross-industry experience and strategic vision, Alka Bhagat is set to drive Chemetall India’s growth trajectory, shaping the future of industrial and chemical manufacturing in the region while reinforcing the company’s commitment to innovation, operational efficiency, and market leadership.