Dr Chander Shekhar Devra, who was serving as CIO and Vice President for the Specialty Chemicals Business and Chemicals Technology Group at SRF Limited, has joined Asahi India conglomerate as Chief Information Officer (CIO).
Expressing his thoughts on the new role, Dr Devra said, “I’m delighted to share that I’ve joined Asahi conglomerate as Chief Information Officer, serving Asahi India Glass Limited , AIS Consumer Glass Solutions Limited, and all AIS SBUs. I look forward to this new chapter and the opportunity to contribute to the Group’s continued growth via AI & digital transformation for B2B, B2C & B2D.”
Asahi India is a leading, fully integrated glass manufacturing conglomerate with end-to-end capabilities spanning the entire value chain, from sand to solution. The company operates 12 state-of-the-art plants alongside 10 advanced sub-assembly units-cum-warehouses spread across 8 key geographical locations in India. It caters to Automotive Glass, Architectural Glass and Consumer Glass Solutions through specialized retail brands (AIS Glasxperts, AIS Windshield Experts and AIS Windows).
In his new role, Dr Devra will serve Asahi India Glass Limited, AIS Consumer Glass Solutions Limited and all AIS strategic business units (SBUs), covering business-to-business (B2B), business-to-consumer (B2C) and business-to-dealer (B2D) operations.
From specialty chemicals to glass manufacturing
At SRF, Dr Devra held responsibility for technology leadership in the Specialty Chemicals Business and Chemicals Technology Group. His work included leading IT transformation for the chemicals business and its research and development function, according to professional recommendations on his LinkedIn profile.
His experience reflects an approach to technology that connects IT strategy with business objectives, engineering processes and measurable outcomes. His professional background also includes work on product lifecycle management (PLM), laboratory systems and process knowledge management, as reflected in his published technical work.
Dr Devra holds an association with the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad. His career has earned him recognition across the enterprise technology and manufacturing ecosystem. He has received several awards throughout his career including the AI (Artificial Intelligence) Category Award 2026 from Express Computer.
A group-wide digital transformation mandate
Asahi India Glass, widely known as AIS, operates across automotive glass, architectural glass and consumer glass solutions. The business has an integrated manufacturing footprint and serves customers through industrial operations, distribution networks and specialised consumer-facing brands, including AIS Glasxperts, AIS Windshield Experts and AIS Windows.
For Dr Devra, the breadth of the new mandate creates an opportunity to align technology investments across manufacturing, supply chains, business operations and customer-facing channels. AI and digital technologies can play a role in improving manufacturing quality, predicting equipment failures, optimising production planning and strengthening supply chain visibility. Across dealer and consumer businesses, integrated digital platforms can also support better service delivery, more efficient processes and improved customer engagement.
Moving AI from experimentation to business value
Dr Devra’s stated focus on AI and digital transformation comes as manufacturing enterprises increasingly look to move beyond isolated digital initiatives towards connected, data-driven operations.
For industrial organisations, this requires more than deploying AI tools. Reliable data, integration with existing enterprise and operational technology systems, cybersecurity and governance are essential to scaling AI responsibly.
In a manufacturing environment, the opportunity is to connect information from the shop floor with enterprise planning, research and development, supply chain operations and customer service. Such integration can help organisations make faster decisions and respond more effectively to operational challenges.
Dr Devra has also articulated the importance of aligning AI-driven recommendations with business risk. During an Express Computer discussion on AI in the boardroom in August 2026, he highlighted the need to ensure that autonomous decisions remain aligned with business risk. This perspective is particularly relevant as manufacturers explore AI applications that influence operational decisions.
For Asahi India, the opportunity will be to build on its manufacturing capabilities with a digital strategy that supports operational efficiency, business integration and customer experience. As Dr Devra takes charge of technology across the group’s businesses, his mandate reflects the increasingly strategic role of the CIO in manufacturing: connecting technology with enterprise priorities and turning digital capabilities into measurable business value.