Snowflake

Forbes India presents "The Data Circle" in association with Snowflake, is an initiative that showcases top tech leaders in a thought leadership format. The selection process takes a comprehensive approach, considering their influence on both their companies and industries. The pivotal roles of these tech leaders drive innovation and breakthroughs within their respective sectors. These agile and enterprising leaders adeptly strategize to manage critical organisational conditions. The campaign aims to acknowledge and engage these exceptional professionals who are shaping the future.

Hizmy Hassen, Chief Digital and Supply Chain Officer, Apollo Tyres Ltd

Master Innovator

Hizmy Hassen has been a pioneer in transforming legacy organisations using cloud technology in both India and the UK. With an impressive experience of running a global supply chain in his previous workplace, Hassen is now chief digital and supply chain offi cer at Apollo Tyres Ltd. He fi nds himself fortunate to have worked with organisations and managers who have given him the freedom to be an intrapreneur.

Hassen has always approached technology with a ‘business hat’, aligning technology with business objectives and goals. He believes in co-creating new ways of working and implementing new capabilities using technology with business and industry leaders. In the next few years, he envisions technology infl uencing critical goals such as achieving a net-zero business model, capital effi ciency and sustainable customer value. He is determined to be at the forefront of the industry’s transformation, driving new business models, revenue streams, and effi ciency gains, especially in manufacturing.

Hassen nurtures innovation through ‘Digital Innovation Centers’, encouraging experimentation within the team and partnering with startups and universities to provide them practical exposure.

Using Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, they have connected most of their production machines to the cloud and have created a data lake. This data being used along with AI and machine learning (ML) technologies has led to 8 percent to 10 percent efficiency gains. Given this technology foundation and initial success, several other projects have been initiated to digitise their production plants using extensive data and data science.

‘Embrace disruption to transform’, is what Hassen believes in. By venturing beyond comfort zones and embracing change, Hassen has propelled the legacy business of Apollo Tyres with many investments and entrenched practices into the future where innovation and transformation are the cornerstones of success.