People First Always, That’s Aludecor Way
Rekha Sarda
Vice President-HR & Communication,
Aludecor
At Aludecor, transformation isn’t just measured in design and innovation—it’s defined by people. With a leadership team that believes in the power of human capital, the company has evolved from a manufacturing-centric company into a culturedriven brand. Rekha Sarda, Vice President – HR & Communication, has been at the forefront of this evolution. Empowered by Aludecor’s vision, she redefined HR from a support function to a strategic force—fueling agility, capability, and emotional engagement. At its core, Aludecor’s journey proves that when a company invests in people, performance naturally follows. In this exclusive conversation with TradeFlock, she opens up about her journey and mindset.
For me, leadership is grounded in four core values— authenticity, empathy, integrity, and purpose.
What’s your approach to sustaining employee engagement as Aludecor grows and innovates?
Balancing people and progress is a real challenge—but a rewarding one. At Aludecor, especially as we evolve into Aludecor 3.0, we’ve placed culture right at the heart of our growth story. The four pillars—Agile, Audacious, Accountable, and Attitude Transformation— guide everything we do, from hiring to leadership, from how we engage our teams to how we recognise performance. What’s changed is not just the speed of business but the mindset with which we approach it. We’re no longer managing change; we’re enabling transformation. The Gemini Star in our new logo reflects that dual focus: one side rooted in people, the other reaching toward innovation and expansion. It’s not about perfection. It’s about being intentional in listening, adapting, and staying human in our approach. Culture isn’t something we protect from change—it’s something we grow with. And when we do that right, people don’t just adapt; they become drivers of change.
Can you share key HR strategies you’ve introduced and their impact on your people and culture?
Our approach to HR at Aludecor is firmly rooted in strategy, not just sentiment. We focus on systems that scale and culture that sticks. We started with a clear EVP—designed from the inside out. Based on insights from employees themselves, it reshaped how we engage and retain talent, positioning us as a modern employer of choice. We then launched LEAP (Learn, Evolve, Aspire, Perform) via our AluEdge app—a centralised platform for continuous learning. It blends technical, behavioural, and leadership training with measurable impact on internal mobility and performance outcomes. Our KYC Survey initiative turned employee feedback into a real-time engagement tool— making leadership more responsive and our culture more inclusive. These strategies are now embedded into Era Aludecor 3.0, anchored on the four A’s: Agile, Audacious, Accountable, and Attitude Transformation. The payoff? Stronger retention, a rise in internal referrals, and a more resilient workforce prepared for the future of work.
How have you tackled HR complexities specific to the aluminium or metal composite sector?
You’re absolutely right. The aluminium or metal composite lamination and coating industry comes with its own unique HR challenges and overcoming them requires both creativity and conviction. One of the biggest hurdles is the scarcity of industry-specific skilled talent. Since the domain is niche, new hires often start with a steep learning curve. To address this, we built strong in-house training, mentorship models, and cross-functional learning platforms, growing talent from within and fostering a culture of continuous learning. Another challenge is breaking the stereotype around manufacturing being traditional or rigid. Aludecor is design-led and innovation-driven. We’ve worked hard to change perceptions through employer branding, storytelling, and engagement initiatives that appeal to the next-gen workforce. Striking the balance between compliance and flexibility has also been key. While health and safety remain paramount, we’ve aligned with leadership to build a culture rooted in empathy. With Era Aludecor 3.0 and its four transformation pillars, we’re enabling purposeful, high-impact growth—for the business and our people.
What values define your leadership style and align with Aludecor’s people strategy?
For me, leadership is grounded in four core values—authenticity, empathy, integrity, and purpose. These aren’t just personal beliefs; they actively shape how I lead and how Aludecor’s people strategy evolves. Authenticity builds trust. I lead with openness, champion honest conversations, and promote transparent communication —values reflected in our feedback culture and leadership accessibility. Empathy is at the heart of our HR approach. From wellness initiatives to flexible policies, it ensures we respond to people’s realities with compassion, not just compliance. Integrity is non-negotiable. It guides fair, merit-based decisions in hiring, performance, and growth —even when the choices are tough. Purpose is the driver. I believe people perform best when they feel part of something meaningful. With Era Aludecor 3.0 and its four transformation pillars, we’re creating a culture where every individual grows with clarity, courage, and conviction. HR is human. Values keep it grounded.
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