Not one to be boxed by tradition or gender roles, Samina Khalid has navigated the challenges and opportunities of corporate communication with a clear vision and a creative spark. Her journey stands as an influential blueprint, showcasing that inclusion in manufacturing goes beyond gender—it’s about creating a harmonious balance where the combined strengths of both men and women lead to unparalleled success and advancement. Samina’s commitment to fostering a conducive environment reflects the importance of an industry-wide cultural shift. This commitment positions her as a participant and a leader in the transformative manufacturing era.
Samina Khalid’s career path is both unique and inspiring. She has worked in various industries, from the bustling world of Yashraj Films to the precision-oriented manufacturing industry. Her time at Haas Automation and Renishaw was characterised by innovative marketing strategies and a deep understanding of the industry. However, her move to Thermax Limited marked a new chapter in her career. As the Head of Corporate Communications, she is responsible for shaping the brand’s identity and weaving its rich legacy into a cohesive story.
Once at the helm of marketing for Renishaw, she embraced a new challenge in corporate communications. She guards the Thermax brand in this role, ensuring it reflects its ethos and history since 1966. “It’s about maintaining the soul of a brand that’s been known for so many years,” Samina remarks. Her dedication quickly bore fruit as she successfully organised the inaugural Thermax Fest during December 2023, receiving accolades from leaders like Meher Pudumjee and CEO Ashish Bhandari. Samina’s narrative isn’t just about marketing products but nurturing the brand and its impact.
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Thermax Limited is an engineering company specializing in energy and environment sectors, with a significant global presence. She explains, “Our team ensures that Thermax’s image is maintained and perceived just as we envision.” With the long history, the Indian multinational holds a reputation of trust and excellence. “Upholding this long-standing brand identity is a substantial responsibility,” Samina remarks. Besides, she also manages a plethora of critical communication roles encompassing digital, social media, and crisis communication, demonstrating the company’s commitment to transparency and stakeholder engagement. Her approach was about maintaining the status quo but invigorating the brand with innovative strategies across its diverse subsidiaries.
With a diverse portfolio spanning energy solutions, cooling, water and waste management, and chemicals, Samina is not only the steward of the Thermax brand but also plays a pivotal role in investor relations and communications for its vast network of 11 subsidiaries. “Each subsidiary operates independently, yet they all converge under the Thermax brand umbrella,” she explains. While her team is not involved in the direct marketing of products, their work is crucial in crafting and maintaining the overall brand image to Thermax’s legacy and its forward-looking vision. Her role extends to ensuring that both investors and the broader public perceive Thermax in alignment with the company’s vision and values. Samina’s commitment is clear: the brand narrative of Thermax must echo its heritage while embracing progress and change.
Crafting a Masterpiece: Strategic Storytelling in B2B Communications
Samina Khalid compares the vastness of the manufacturing industry to an expansive universe where each person has the power to shape their own journey. She muses on the choices before us, drawing a parallel to investing in a growing area over an already saturated one. “Imagine choosing where to invest,” she says. “Do you pick the bustling center where everything’s already set, or do you venture to a place that’s blossoming, where the potential is just beginning to unfold?” With a tone of assurance, Samina insists that in manufacturing, like in any burgeoning community, the opportunities for growth, learning, and return on investment are ripe for the taking. “It’s a simple choice,” she continues, “but it’s yours to make. Do you follow the well-trodden path, or do you carve out a new way, filled with innovation and fresh ideas?”
The conversation shifts to a familiar crossroads many face in the world of business communications. “Why pick B2B when B2C seems more glamorous?” she poses, acknowledging the allure of the consumer side. Yet, she defends the B2B space in manufacturing with conviction, emphasizing that here, creativity must be met with practicality, and every idea must genuinely count. In her view, the satisfaction comes from crafting strategies that are not only imaginative but also actionable and impactful. For Samina, it’s about making a tangible difference, an approach that she finds not just fulfilling but also profoundly intriguing. “This is where I choose to be,” she declares, “where the challenge is greater, but so is the chance to really shape the future.”
Her passion shines as she describes planning for an exhibition, a task she compares to orchestrating a symphony. “Each instrument has to be in tune,” she says. “Having a catchy jingle or an eye-catching banner is not enough. We must resonate with our audience, strike a chord that reverberates through the industry corridors.” As Samina talks, it’s evident that she thrives on these challenges, finding satisfaction in the complexities that might overwhelm others. “It’s about influence, not impulse. In the B2B universe, you don’t just throw paint at the canvas; you carefully compose a masterpiece that tells a story of what a company does and who they are.”
“Imagine it this way,” Samina muses, “in B2C, your audience is vast and varied. An idea can spark at breakfast and take flight by lunch. But in B2B, our audience is discerning and specialised. It’s not just about what catches the eye, but what holds the gaze.” As she delves into the details, it’s clear that for Samina, communication in the B2B space isn’t just about creativity—it’s about connection. “It’s a delicate dance between presenting the potential of a product and forging a relationship built to last,” she explains. “Here, we’re playing chess, not checkers. Each move is calculated, every strategy deeply considered.”
This distinction is crucial, she notes, as the B2B sector evolves. “What worked yesterday might not click today. It’s an ever-evolving landscape, and staying ahead means adapting, innovating, and always, always communicating with purpose.” In her words, “It’s more than a message; it’s a mission. And that’s where the true joy of corporate communications lies.” Embarking on a journey into Corporate Communications, Samina Khalid found herself drawn to a field that buzzed with creativity and challenge. “I chose this field because it was fascinating, full of creative potential,” she says with a spark of enthusiasm in her voice. Her career path was not a conventional one; without an engineering background, she initially stepped into an engineering firm, which paved the way into marketing communications and eventually led her to the heart of corporate communications.
For Samina, each day unfolds like a unique puzzle, bringing a mix of problems to solve, crises to manage, and innovative opportunities to seize. “I thrive on the diversity of challenges each day brings,” she reflects, “It keeps me engaged, always on my toes, ready for whatever comes next.” In a candid confession, she shares that she once aspired to be a cardiologist, but the twists of fate had other plans. “It feels like this career chose me,” Samina muses, acknowledging the serendipity of her professional life. Despite the successes she’s achieved, Samina remains humbly grounded, always striving to learn and grow. “Success is a tricky thing to measure,” she contemplates, “I believe I have so much more to achieve.Every new day brings new knowledge, and that’s truly the best part of this adventure I’m on,” and it’s in the journey of continual learning where she finds the greatest joy.
Transforming Manufacturing: A Journey of Trust, Equality, and Progress
Building trust at work is about the results we deliver, Samina believes. Being at the heart of the company, her team interacts with various departments, not just divisions. Whether it’s solving problems for the heating division or HR, they’re known for finding solutions and seeing them through to execution. It’s the successful completion of these tasks that builds trust internally. For external customers, it’s the messaging and the actual delivery of products that build trust. Samina emphasizes that it’s easy to talk about brand promises, but what truly builds trust is when the products speak for themselves through their quality and reliability. “It’s the delivery of our promises that fosters trust,” she points out.
Samina remembers about the early days of her career when being a woman in the industry was a rarity that drew surprised looks from others. “I’ve been lucky,” Samina reflects, “My colleagues and bosses have always treated me as an equal, and we’ve worked shoulder to shoulder on every challenge.” Despite her positive experiences, Samina quickly acknowledges the road ahead for women in the industry. “The participation of women in manufacturing has completely changed,” she notes, yet she also recognises that the journey towards gender equality in the industry is far from over. “There’s still a long way to go,” she admits. Looking back at her earlier days in exhibitions, Samina notes the shifts in perception. “Once, the sight of a woman at a trade show was a rarity, met with surprise. Today, we stand shoulder to shoulder with our peers, crafting the future with equal parts and equal say,” she reflects. Samina sees this as just the beginning, a prologue to a story where the participation of women in manufacturing isn’t a footnote but a headline.
“It’s different now,” she says. “You see more women on the shop floor, and in the companies, although the percentages are still low.” She is optimistic that with the increasing recognition of women’s contributions, the industry will continue to evolve. “Things are changing,” Samina asserts confidently, “and I’m sure they will change even more in due course.” She believes that as society’s perception shifts, so too will the opportunities for women in manufacturing. “The concept itself has changed,” Samina declares, looking forward to a future where women’s presence in the industry is the norm, not the exception. Her story, infused with her personal insights and comments, paints a picture of an industry in transition, where the contributions of women like her are not just welcomed but essential.
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Samina looking ahead, sees a bright future for women in the manufacturing industry. “In a decade, I believe the number of women in manufacturing will jump from 6% to 50%,” she shares with optimism. Samina notes a positive shift, with women now occupying senior positions, a stark contrast to just ten years ago when such roles were rare. “Women aren’t just in HR anymore; they’re leading companies,” she says. Samina has witnessed this evolution firsthand, meeting numerous women in top roles through her interactions. “The change is real, and it’s happening at every level, from the C-suite to the head of the table,” she states, confident that women will continue to break new ground in the industry.
Reflecting on her journey, Samina recalls a time when manufacturing was seen as a grimy, unglamorous field, far removed from the glitz many sought. She herself was open to getting her hands dirty, to being part of the tangible process of creation. But as she speaks now, the landscape has transformed dramatically. “Those days are fading,” she says, “Young women today, they see the truth of modern manufacturing. It’s not about the dirt; it’s about the innovation, the technology, and the vast potential.”
Samina observed this evolution firsthand during a recent conversation with a group of young women. The question was simple: Would they consider a career in manufacturing? The answer was a resounding yes, signaling a shift in perception. “They’re looking for good work, engaging roles, something that sparks their interest,” Samina notes. For her, this is a sign of the tides of change, a harbinger of a future where the manufacturing sector is not just a space for men or for the mechanically inclined, but a diverse and dynamic environment ripe with opportunity for all. And yet, Samina knows the journey isn’t complete. “There’s progress, yes, but the road ahead is still long. We need more women to join, to shape, and to lead in manufacturing,” she asserts, her voice steady and hopeful.
The Power of Conversation Over Assumptions
Samina’s story contradicts the myth that women are given easier jobs in the industry. “It’s simply not true,” Samina asserts, recalling times when she worked through the night and stood on exhibition floors at dawn. Her experience speaks to a reality where women actively seek environments that offer a job, care, security, and support. “Imagine a sales role, typically challenging with its travel requirements. There’s often a hesitation – a judgment – about assigning such tasks to women. But why assume? Why not ask the individual? If she’s confident she can handle it, if she’s aware of her commitments and assures she can manage, shouldn’t she be given that chance? That’s the point where we need to start – with a conversation, not an assumption.”
Samina with her years of experience in the manufacturing sector, understands the challenges and the nuances of what it takes for women to thrive in what has traditionally been a male-dominated field. She shares from her wealth of experiences, “When I visited a factory and realized there was no separate washroom for women, it hit me — these are the basic necessities that speak volumes about how welcoming a workspace is for women.” She doesn’t hesitate to pinpoint where the responsibility for change lies, urging companies to take a proactive stance. “We can’t just wait for policies to be handed down from above; the initiative has to start within the companies themselves,” she asserts. “Are we really considering what women need to feel secure and to perform their best? It’s about crafting an environment that empowers every individual to contribute without hesitation.”
The challenge for working women, especially those with young children, is a road she knows well. “Many women wish to work,” Samina says, “but the tug of childcare often pulls them away from full-time commitments.” But there’s a shimmer of change on the horizon. Samina talks about ‘second innings’—an emerging concept where women, after taking a break for family, return to their careers with renewed vigor. “Organizations are waking up,” she states, recognizing the need for part-time roles and tie-ups with childcare facilities to support working mothers.
Thermax, she notes with pride, is leading by example, integrating creches into their workspaces, not just in their factories but also within their offices. This initiative isn’t just about ticking boxes for inclusivity; it’s about nurturing a supportive environment that allows women to flourish professionally without sacrificing their personal roles. As she reflects on her experiences, Samina can’t help but notice the cultural shift within manufacturing companies. “Small startups are springing up, and with them, fresh ideas about how to welcome women into this space,” she observes.
Shaping the Future: Women Leading the Charge in Manufacturing
Drawing from her wealth of experience in the dynamic manufacturing world, Samina has witnessed firsthand the evolving role of women in the industry. She shares stories of empowerment and motivation, where seeing women in leadership roles ignites a spark in others. “It’s about representation,” she reflects. When young people, especially young women, see leaders they can relate to, it fuels their ambition. She believes in the ripple effect of women in high positions. “If they can hire more women, why not others?” Samina asks rhetorically. Her message is clear: women are not just joining the ranks; they are transforming them, creating a new narrative where the gender of a leader is no longer a barrier but a catalyst for inclusive growth. “That’s the shift we’re seeing, and it’s just the beginning,” she explains with an optimistic tone.
Drawing inspiration from formidable leaders like Meher Pudumjee and Anu Aga, Samina speaks with a mix of admiration and aspiration. “Seeing women like Meher Pudumjee or Anu Aga at the helm—it’s incredibly inspiring. They’ve navigated through challenges with grace and vision, setting a benchmark for all of us,” she reflects. Their leadership not only paves the way but also ignites a sense of possibility among all women in the sector. For Samina, witnessing the strides made by female industry leaders fuels her drive to foster similar progress within her sphere of influence. “When I see women leading with such integrity and expertise, I know the doors they’ve opened are just the beginning for many of us,” she shares, full of hope and determination to contribute to this ongoing narrative of change.
Inclusion: More Than Just Women at the Table
Samina’ss perspective on the workplace is one of inclusivity and balance. She observes the landscape of startups and companies adopting policies to welcome women into the workforce, recognising that diversity is key to creating a robust and beautiful workplace environment. According to Samina, every individual brings a unique strength to the table, and it’s the combination of these strengths that can forge a thriving, dynamic business culture. She advocates for the idea that both men and women should work side by side, each contributing their distinct views and approaches. To her, this isn’t just about filling roles traditionally seen as gender-specific; it’s about the unique value each person adds to the collective. As she puts it, while sspecific tasks might seem suited to one gender over the other, it’s not about exclusivity—both men and women are capable, but sometimes one has an ‘upper edge’ in certain areas due to natural affinities or societal conditioning.
For Samina, the inclusion is not just a policy—it’s a reality that must be lived and experienced. It’s about creating an environment where both men and women feel valued, where their contributions are recognized, and where they can grow together, building on each other’s strengths. In such a collaborative setting, she sees a world of opportunity and a canvas for innovation and growth. This kind of workplace, as she sees it, is not only more productive but also more harmonious and fulfilling for everyone involved. Samina’s reflections come from her firsthand experiences and her active role in shaping corporate communications within her field. Her insights are a reminder that the journey toward workplace equality is ongoing and that while policies can set the stage, it’s the actions and the culture within the companies that truly make a difference.