Ola Electric Launches Network Partner Program to Boost EV Adoption

Key Takeaways from Ola’s Launch

• Ola Electric has launched its 'Network Partner Program' to expand EV adoption across India, onboarding 625 partners so far.
• The program allows auto and auto-ancillary sellers from both EV and ICE ecosystems to sell and service Ola Electric products with minimal capital investment and the use of existing infrastructure.
• Ola Electric will support the program by providing display vehicles, test vehicles, and marketing materials, with partners receiving a fee for each successful sale.

To accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) across India, Ola Electric has introduced its 'Network Partner Program,' designed to expand its sales and service reach. The initiative, which has already onboarded 625 partners, aims to ramp up to 1,000 partners further ahead of the upcoming festive season, with an ambitious target of enlisting 10,000 partners by the end of 2025.

The program allows partners, including auto and automobile-ancillary sellers in the EV and internal combustion engine (ICE) ecosystems, to sell and service products from Ola Electric with minimal capital investment. Network partners would be able to use their existing network to be sales and service touchpoints for Ola Electric, without having to purchase inventory, or create a separate and distinct offering of products or services for Ola Electric. 

Ola's successful Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) model will continue to be the core of its operations, complementing the Network Partner Program. These partners will use the same digital process flow as Ola Electric stores, ensuring a consistent customer experience. Ola will also provide selective support, including display and test vehicles, along with marketing materials. The company will pay a fee for each successful sale facilitated through the partners.

About Ola Electric Mobility Limited

Established in 2017, Ola Electric Mobility Limited is an electric vehicle company focused on producing electric vehicles and essential components. These include battery packs, motors, and vehicle frames, all manufactured at the Ola Future factory.

Key Takeaways from the Gateway Distriparks Stakes Acquire

• Gateway Distriparks has acquired 8,17,500 equity shares, equating to a 0.49% stake in Snowman Logistics.
• This has increased its total holding to 47.62%.  
• The acquisition highlights Gateway’s investment in enhancing its logistics capabilities.

As per a stock exchange filing, Gateway Distriparks Limited has announced the acquisition of 8,17,500 equity shares of Snowman Logistics Limited, translating to a 0.49% stake in the company, for a total consideration of ₹1.3 crore. This acquisition enhances Gateway Distriparks' holding in Snowman Logistics to 47.62%, marking a significant step in the logistics sector. 

The move allows Gateway to strengthen its operational capabilities and expand its market presence. The disclosure is made in compliance with Regulation 29(2) of the SEBI (Substantial Acquisition of Shares and Takeovers) Regulations, 2011, reflecting Gateway's commitment to regulatory transparency.

About Gateway Distriparks 

Gateway Distriparks, an end-to-end intermodal logistics service company, presently operates nine Inland Container Depots and Container Freight stations, located across India. The company has 31 train sets and over 500 trailers to position transportation between the company's facilities and the maritime port with seamless first- and last-mile connectivity. Company services include general and bonded warehousing, rail and road transport, container handling, and other value-added services.

About Snowman Logistics 

Snowman Logistics specialises in temperature-controlled logistics services. This includes the storage, road transportation, and distribution of products that require a regulated temperature environment, ensuring the safe handling of perishable goods and other sensitive items throughout the supply chain.

Key Takeaways from L&T Technology Services’ Achievement:  

• L&T Technology Services (LTTS) is positioned as a leader in the Everest Group's Connected Product Engineering Services PEAK Matrix Assessment 2024.
• The recognition points to LTTS's commitment toward excellence and innovations in embedded engineering, especially across Mobility, Tech, and Sustainability.
• The assessment graded the providers based on the leadership in digital engineering, client feed-back, and the potential to deliver impactful and transformative solutions where LTTS ranked high among such strong performers.

This recognition comes as a testament to the commitment of excellence and innovation in embedded engineering, predominantly in areas like Mobility, Tech, and Sustainability at LTTS.

The assessment ranked the engineering service providers based on levels of digital engineering leadership and client feedback coupled with capacity to deliver impactful and transformational solutions.

LTTS emerged as a strong high performer in this ranking further giving the company credence towards its capabilities and the kind of contribution it has been making in connected product engineering.

Nishant Udupa, Practice Director, Everest Group commented that L&T Technology Services has strengthened its capabilities via investments in IPs, labs, CoEs, and partnerships with hyperscalers and technology vendors. LTTS solutions in medical technology and connected home particularly stand out, owing to continuous investments in AI/ML, IoT and edge intelligence. 

About L&T Technology Services Limited:

L&T Technology Services Limited is a public traded subsidiary of Larsen & Toubro Limited. The company concentrates on ER&D services, through consulting, design, development, and testing services throughout the entire lifecycle of product and process development. It serves 69 Fortune 500 companies and 57 of the world's leading ER&D firms in segments like industrial products, medical devices, transportation, telecom, and process industries. LTTS is headquartered in India, with over 23,550 employees. It runs its business in the form of 22 design centers around the world, 30 sales offices, and 108 innovation labs as of June 30, 2024.

About Everest Group:

Everest Group is a research firm that helps business leaders make the right decisions. With customised problem solving, it assists clients to overcome the challenges of markets and improve the effectiveness of their strategies whilst building both operational and financial performance. Focused on technology, business processes, and engineering, Everest Group offers practical advice on talent, sustainability, and sourcing. 

Key Takeaways from the Infosys and Sally Collaboration

• Infosys has entered into a strategic partnership with Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc. to enhance IT operations and efficiencies through hyper-automation.
• The collaboration will leverage Infosys Topaz, aiming to accelerate business value using AI technologies while ensuring the business is future-proof.
• The initiative is centred on driving enterprise-scale IT transformation by optimising IT service delivery, thereby improving overall operational efficiency.

Infosys has announced a strategic collaboration with Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc. to enhance enterprise-scale IT efficiencies through hyper-automation. This partnership aims to leverage Infosys Topaz, which will drive accelerated business value by utilising AI technologies to future-proof Sally Beauty's operations. The focus of this collaboration is on transforming IT service delivery by implementing best practices that optimise IT operations, ultimately improving overall efficiency. 

This initiative underscores Infosys's commitment to supporting various sectors, including speciality retail, and positions Sally Beauty to adapt to the evolving landscape of the beauty industry. 

Commenting on the collaboration, Scott Lindblom, CIO, of Sally Beauty, said "We are excited to be collaborating with Infosys as we take SBH into the future by modernizing our IT service delivery and meeting the goals set by our “Fuel for Growth” initiative. Embracing AI-amplified IT is a significant step forward for us in enabling us to, in turn, deliver exceptional experiences for our customers.”

Karmesh Vaswani, EVP and Global Head of Consumer, Retail, and Logistics, Infosys, commented, “We are delighted to partner with Sally Beauty Holdings in their journey to embrace industry leadership and excellence in customer experience. Our assembly of Infosys Topaz applied AI assets, shaped from years of our global experience in the retail and consumer goods world, will help SBH to leapfrog ahead with an AI-first enterprise stack. Our collaboration exemplifies the commitment Infosys has to empower businesses to accelerate their AI-led transformation while amplifying customer delight and operational efficiency."  

About Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc.

Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SBH) is a leading global distributor of professional beauty supplies, specialising in hair products. The company operates through its Sally Beauty Supply and Beauty Systems Group divisions. Sally Beauty Supply stores provide a range of up to 7,000 products, including hair colour, hair care, nails, and skincare, featuring proprietary brands such as Ion, Bondbar, and Strawberry Leopard, alongside professional brands like Wella and L’Oreal. The Beauty Systems Group, branded as CosmoProf or Armstrong McCall, along with its outside sales consultants, offers around 8,000 professional products designed for salons and retail consumers, including well-known brands like Paul Mitchell and Moroccanoil.

About Infosys Limited

Infosys is a leading global provider of digital services and consulting, employing over 300,000 people to enhance human potential and drive opportunities for individuals, businesses, and communities. The company supports clients in more than 56 countries through their digital transformation journeys, leveraging their extensive experience of over 40 years in managing global enterprise systems. Infosys focuses on empowering businesses through AI and cloud technology, promoting agile digital solutions, and fostering continuous improvement via ongoing learning and skills transfer. The company is dedicated to sustainability and inclusivity, striving to maintain a diverse and well-governed workplace.