Manohar Gopal

Transforming Workplace with Transparency and Trust

Manohar Gopal

Managing Director,

Featherlite Group

I n today’s dynamic work environment, Featherlite, the Bangalore-based market leader in the Office Furniture industry, has consistently adapted to the evolving needs of corporates, employees, office designers and space planners. Established in 1965 Featherlite has become the leading provider of innovative workspace furniture solutions dedicated to transforming ordinary spaces into extraordinary environments. With a rich legacy spanning around 60 years and a presence in over 70 retail locations, the company today produces over 55,000 chairs and 15,000 workstations every month and has had over 35000 corporate clients. The company is now expanding its manufacturing capacity with two new plants coming up by the year-end to add to its 3 existing factories and taking manufacturing space among its plants to 6,00,000 sqft. It has also undertaken several Sustainability initiatives and committed to achieving Net Zero carbon emissions by 2040 and among its green initiatives is the installation of rooftop solar panels at its factory in Karnataka generating 3MW of solar energy. We spoke with Managing Director Mr. Manohar Gopal, who is also the son of the company’s founder Mr. Gopal Ramnarayan. Karnataka’s first commerce college, the Ramnarayan Chellaram or RC College of Commerce is named after his grandfather and the next generation of the family is also now involved in running the company’s different business units

Describe the core values and culture at Featherlite. How do you ensure employees embody these values?

‘Passion, Innovation and Consistency’ are the three core values driving our company since its inception in 1965. Unyielding commitment to quality is another hallmark of our operations. Today we have also adopted Sustainability as another pillar and have undertaken several key initiatives at our manufacturing units such as deploying rooftop solar panels at our factories, using renewable energy from Windmills and undertaking several initiatives in the Environment, Social and Governance (ESG). On the people front we want to ensure that we hire right and then we train right to ensure that our employees recognise the company’s vision and values. We do this through several employee-centric and employee focussed training, immersion and refresher programmes.
Cultural Immersion: New hires are introduced to our values, history, and mission from day one, understanding the importance of passion, innovation, andconsistency
Training and Development: Ongoing programmes enhance skills and reinforce our values, encouraging creativity and excellence
Recognition and Rewards: We acknowledge and reward those who demonstrate exceptional passion and innovation, motivating all employees.
Feedback and Communication: Open communication channels allow employees to share ideas and concerns, ensuring alignment with our core values. Finally, through Exemplary Leadership we expect our Leaders to be role-models for our core values, inspiring employees through their actions and guidance.

How does Featherlite balance innovation with employee wellbeing and growth?

We believe that innovation, growth and employee wellbeing are closely intertwined. At Featherlite, we’ve developed strategies to achieve all of these effectively. We invest significantly in research and development to stay ahead of industry trends and technological advancements, enabling a culture where innovation is celebrated, and employees are empowered to think creatively and challenge the status quo. We prioritise professional development by offering training, mentorship, and career advancement opportunities, equipping our employees with the necessary skills for our innovative efforts. Additionally, we promote work-life balance with benefits like paid time off and parental leave, enhancing overall well-being and productivity. We ensure that employees’ ideas and feedback are valued and considered, which creates a supportive and dynamic workplace.

How has Featherlite evolved its mission and vision to stay competitive?

Featherlite started with the manufacture of garden furniture way back in 1965, moved to the manufacturing of office furniture in the 1970’s, but the major turning point for us came in the 1980’s when we started manufacturing Modular Furniture. The IT sector was taking off and we went from strength to strength, establishing new product lines, factories and innovation hubs. Over the years we have constantly evolved, producing some of the most innovative office furniture designs that the country has seen and also diversified into several new business lines and today count the who’s who of the corporate world as our clients. While our core values and beliefs have been consistent, we have constantly evolved and innovated, with our offerings and our methods, keeping an ear to the ground and understanding customer needs well.

How do you ensure high employee engagement and support professional development?

We have developed a culture that values happiness and loyalty, which has really helped to enhance employees’ productivity, motivation, and commitment to goals. To support professional development, Featherlite implements real-time feedback mechanisms, mentorship programmes, and involvement in decision-making. We also emphasise clear expectations, offer training and development programmes, and provide career pathing opportunities. These initiatives ensure employees understand their roles, grow their skills, and advance within the organisation. Through these efforts, we create a supportive work environment that prioritises employee wellbeing, engagement, satisfaction, and professional development.