Leadership of Responsibility

Harsha Kadam

CEO & Managing Director

Harsha Kadam is CEO and Managing Director of Schaeffler in India.

He studied Mechanical Engineering at Bangalore University and later acquired further qualification in business management, specializing in Marketing, Finance & HR.

He joined Schaeffler in 2018, as President – Industrial Business, a role he continues to hold. Prior to Schaeffler, he was the CEO of AGI Glaspac (India). Before AGI Glaspac, he was with SKF India till December 2016 as Director, Automotive Business and held several key leadership positions in the organization across manufacturing and sales, for over 20 years.He has more than 38 years of experience in functions including Sales, Manufacturing, Product Design and Development. Besides leading business successfully, he filed several patents and won global awards for innovation excellence in his professional stint.

He resides in Pune with his family and in his spare time, he enjoys adventure sports and sketching.

Hardevi Vazirani

Director – Finance & CFO

Hardevi Vazirani is the Director – Finance and Chief Financial Officer at Schaeffler India Limited. With a distinguished career spanning more than three decades at Schaeffler, she has held leadership roles across IT, Finance, and Corporate Strategy in the Asia Pacific region. Since taking over as Chief Financial Officer in February 2024, she has continued to drive strategic and financial excellence in a dynamic business environment. Her key achievements include the successful post-merger integration of Schaeffler’s Indian entities in 2018 and the implementation of the “Roadmap 2025” transformation program across Region Asia Pacific, where she served as Head of Strategy.

Hardevi holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from MS University, Vadodara and is a Certified Accounting Specialist, from Accovalist Institute, Germany. She completed her Diploma in Business Management from ICFAI, Hyderabad, Diploma in Computer Studies from NCC UK, Vadodara, and Management Programs from INSEAD and IIM-Bangalore.

Bringing extensive experience and a multidisciplinary perspective shaped by leadership across key international markets like China and Singapore, Hardevi leads sub-region India’s Finance and IT functions. She continues to drive the Group’s passion for advancing mobility and shaping the future of the industry, in line with the vision of becoming the leading Motion Technology Company.

Sameer Mathur

Head Manufacturing

Sameer Mathur is the Chief Operating Officer of Schaeffler India. In his role, he is responsible for the complete operations of the company. He is responsible for all factories, manufacturing and production facilities of Schaeffler India.

Prior to this, he served as Vice President of Industrial Operations, APAC region, responsible for strategy, processes and investments projects for industrial segments of Asia. Sameer Mathur is associated with Schaeffler since 1991, joining the company as a Graduate Engineer Trainee. Since then, he has held various incremental leadership positions across manufacturing and export processes. He brings in depth knowledge vast experience of over 27 years in the field of manufacturing, production processes and brings in rich experience in the areas of quality management, TPM, lean management, manufacturing and exports related fields.

He is a mechanical engineering graduate from Regional Engineering College, Silchar and holds a Post Graduate degree in Business Management.

Madhurisha Vippatoori

Head R&D & CTO

Madhurisha Vippatoori is the CTO of Schaeffler India. Additionally, she also heads the Research and Development Division at Schaeffler.

She joined Schaeffler in November 2022. Before joining Schaeffler, she worked with Alstom as the Traction and system domain lead. She has also held various positions at Bombardier, Volvo Construction Equipment, Mahindra Engineering services and TVS throughout her career spanning over two decades (20 years) in Research, Design & Development.

Academically she has studied Electronics and Communication engineering from Osmania University, Hyderabad.

As the CTO, Madhurisha will guide various technological development domains at Schaeffler India while providing the necessary expertise to ensure operational excellence and drive the overall technology strategy. She will be based out of Schaeffler’s India office in Pune.

In her leisure time, Madhurisha is immersed in reading fiction.

Shibi Mathew

Head of Human Resources and CSR

Shibi Mathew brings over 22 years of comprehensive experience in Strategic and Operational Human Resources, with more than 14 years in senior leadership roles across renowned organizations. Throughout her career, Shibi has driven high-impact HR strategies, developed cross-functional teams, and enhanced global HR operations through Shared Services, Digitalization, and HR Analytics. She has also led key Diversity & Inclusion programs, Global Mobility, and Change Management initiatives, establishing a solid foundation for employee engagement and organizational transformation.

Shibi holds a Master’s degree in Personnel Management and a Diploma in Labour Law from Pune University, in addition to a Diploma in Executive Leadership CORE with a specialization in Business Analytics and Financial Accounting. Her experience spans key areas such as strategic workforce planning, talent transformation, and operational efficiency.

At Schaeffler India, Shibi is committed to nurturing a culture of inclusivity, agility, and continuous development, aligning with Schaeffler’s vision for innovation in motion technology and strengthening Schaeffler India’s position as an employer of choice in the industry.

Seshan Iyer

Head Bearings & Industrial Solutions

Seshan Iyer is President of Bearings & Industrial Solutions, Schaeffler India.

Seshan brings over 31 years of leadership experience in industrial application businesses. He has steered industrial sales verticals for Bonfiglioli Transmission India, Dalmia Refractories Limited, TDW India Limited and Cooper Roller Bearings Company. Throughout his career, Seshan has driven OEM and channel sales strategy and new business and product development, transforming the very scope of market expansion.

Seshan returned to Schaeffler India as President of Bearings & Industrial Solutions, in 2023, to lead its high-precision components and systems for drive train and chassis applications as well as rolling and plain bearing solutions for industrial customers in India. With his in-depth knowledge of the target markets, Seshan is driving Schaeffler’s intelligent, efficient and sustainable products and services to advance Industry 4.0 motion technology.

Together with the rest of the India Executive Leadership Team, Seshan is creating value for stakeholders along the supply chain for Schaeffler, a company that leads in motion through innovation, agility, and efficiency.

Omkar Kulkarni

Head e-Mobility

Omkar Kulkarni is the Head of e‑Mobility at Schaeffler India, where he leads the strategy, business growth and portfolio development for Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) and Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) technologies in the region. In this role, he is responsible for shaping the long‑term business strategy, driving profitable and sustainable growth and strengthening Schaeffler’s position as a key technology partner in India’s rapidly evolving automotive landscape. He also plays a key role in building regional capabilities by developing talent and advancing technology to support local product development and manufacturing.

With more than two decades of global and cross‑functional leadership experience across General Electric, Eaton Corporation and Hella Automotive, Omkar has managed full P&L responsibilities, led high‑performing R&D and engineering organizations and spearheaded new business ventures and product innovation. His career spans technology development, operational excellence and business leadership, across diverse automotive and industrial domains.

Omkar holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics Engineering, Master of Science in Electrical Engineering and an MBA with a focus on Strategy and Marketing.

Viswanathan Sambasivam

Head of the Powertrain & Chassis Business

Viswanathan Sambasivam is the Head of the Powertrain & Chassis Business Division at Schaeffler India, bringing over 29 years of extensive leadership experience in the core automotive business. A true testament to Schaeffler’s culture of long-term talent development, he began his journey with the organization as a Management Trainee in 1997.

Over the course of his nearly three-decade career, Viswanathan has successfully navigated and led diverse functions, including OEM Sales, Automotive Aftermarket, Supply Chain Management and Production Planning. His deep cross-functional expertise laid the foundation for his appointment as the head of Business Unit Transmission in 2012. After nine years of driving growth and operational excellence in the transmission sector, he assumed responsibility for the Engine & Transmission Systems Business Division in 2021. Following a highly successful three-year stint, he took over as the Head of the Powertrain & Chassis Business Division in October 2024.

Throughout his tenure, Viswanathan has been instrumental in fostering strategic customer partnerships and driving technological advancements aligned with future mobility solutions. His leadership is characterized by a meticulous approach to business strategy and sustainable growth.

Viswanathan holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Bharathiar University, Coimbatore and a Master of Business Administration with a specialization in Marketing and Operations Research from Periyar University, Salem.

Sharad Bhatia

Head of Vehicle Lifetime Solutions(VLS)

Sharad Bhatia brings over 24 years of diverse experience in the automotive parts industry, with a strong focus on the automotive aftermarket service parts sector. His career spans various roles in multinational organizations across Asia, including Indonesia, China, Singapore, India and Italy, reflecting his adaptability and global perspective.

Prior to joining Schaeffler India, he held leadership positions where he successfully developed business platforms and launched innovative product lines that cater to evolving market needs. His background includes significant contributions to enhancing customer value through sustainable solutions, aligning closely with Schaeffler’s mission of advancing mobility.

Sharad holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Pune University and an Executive MBA from the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta. He is also certified in advanced technology for E-mobility from Indian Institute of Technology Delhi in 2022, emphasizing his commitment to sustainable and forward-thinking automotive solutions.

In his role at Schaeffler India, he will drive the growth of the Vehicle Lifetime Solutions division, focusing on leveraging cutting-edge motion technology to enhance vehicle longevity and efficiency, ultimately delivering exceptional value to customers.

Vinod Acharya

Head Purchasing

Mr. Vinod Acharya is Head of Corporate Purchasing, Schaeffler India. He graduated from Pune University and holds an MBA.

He brings a wealth of experience from multinational leaders in automotive and industrial sectors such as John Deere, Cummins and Lear Corporation. Throughout his career, Vinod has held leadership roles in purchasing and supplier development, fostering strategic supplier partnerships that delivered significant quality improvement. He was heading Automotive Technologies Purchasing and supporting the Automotive Tech team at Schaeffler in his last assignment.

Vinod assumed the position of Vice-President and Head of Corporate Purchasing in 2023. Leading Schaeffler India’s sustainable procurement initiatives, Vinod is playing a key role in turning the supply chain climate neutral.

An integral part of the Executive Leadership Team, Vinod is helping advance the group’s Climate Journey toward climate-neutral operations by 2040 with his valuable insights.