Merino Industries Limited

Learn to Earn & Holistic Well-being

B430 B591

Authors

Akriti Shah

Akriti Shah

Avish Shah

Avish Shah

Nilophar Shaikh

Nilophar Shaikh

Apoorvi Jain

Apoorvi Jain

Kejal Shah

Kejal Shah

Lakshya Holani

Lakshya Holani

School

K.J. Somaiya Institute of Management Studies and Research

K.J. Somaiya Institute of Management Studies and Research

Professor

Shiji Lyndon

Shiji Lyndon

Global Goals

3. Good Health and Well-Being 4. Quality Education 5. Gender Equality 6. Clean Water and Sanitation

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Summary

Merino Industries Limited, one of the top laminate manufacturing companies in India, firmly believes in giving back to society. Their motto enumerates Economy, Excellence, and Ethics. Where Economic Excellence is founded on Work Ethics, and Sustainable Excellence is nourished by Moral Ethics.

Innovation

One of the units of Merino was established in Hapur, a district in Uttar Pradesh. Merino employees could not bear the indifference of people towards girls and women in Hapur. Hence, they decided to take initiatives to empower them. To increase the self-reliance of children (predominantly female children) and women, Merino took steps to empower them by providing quality education and skill development.

The widespread prevalence of Tuberculosis in the town was also a daunting burden on health conditions, especially amongst the poor. Merino supports a variety of efforts to eradicate another major problem, Tuberculosis, and to promote holistic well-being.

Learn to Earn & Holistic Well-being

Inspiration

Mr Prakash Lohia (Managing Director) is an ardent follower of Swami Vivekananda and hence he is the inspiration behind the philanthropic activities Merino Industries Limited undertakes. Swami Ji said,“I consider that the great national sin is in the neglect of masses, and that is one of the causes of our downfall. No amount of politics would be of any avail until the masses in India are once more well educated, well fed, and well cared for. They pay for our education, they build out temples, but in return they get our kicks. They are practically our slaves. If we want to regenerate India, we must work for them.” As far as education is concerned they seek to fulfill this thought--“We want education by which character is formed, strength of mind is increased, the intellect is expanded, and by which one can stand on one’s own feet.”

Overall impact

The feeling of being able to grant someone the privilege to hold their head high and be an independent part of society is unmatchable. Merino believes in nurturing the youth by providing them quality education and also safeguarding interests of women and making them independent. Merino is also a part of many healthcare and well-being programs. They have spent a hefty sum of 17 crore in 2016-17 on activities related to the development of human capital and holistic well-being of human beings.

Business benefit

Merino believes that employees feel an inherent sense of satisfaction when they give something back to the society. It boosts their morale and increases their sense of belonging towards the company and the society. Merino has observed the indirect impact of improving the productivity of their facilities.

Social and environmental benefit

Merino focuses their support of time and money into two areas:

  • Education and Empowerment Programs (e.g., funded a primary school for predominantly low-income female students, provides mid-day meals for students, “learn to earn” women empowerment courses)
  • Healthcare & Holistic Living Programs (e.g., free health check-ups, improved sanitation facilities, yoga camps)

They report on the impacts of these projects in the CSR portion of their annual report.

Interview

A K Parui, Chief Financial Officer

Watch video on YouTube

Business information

Merino Industries Limited

Merino Industries Limited

IN
Business Website: http://www.merinoindia.com/
Year Founded: 1965
Number of Employees: 501 to 1000
The Merino group started as small establishment in 1965. The group has evolved since then to emerge as the largest manufacturer and exporter of laminates in India