Early Life
Pawan Kant Munjal was born on September 26, 1959, in New Delhi, India. He is the third child of Brijmohan Lall Munjal and Santosh Munjal. His father co-founded Hero Cycles, which later became Hero MotoCorp. From an early age, Munjal was exposed to the intricacies of the family business, learning from his father and uncles. He earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra.
Rise to Success
Munjal joined Hero Cycles in 1982, gaining hands-on experience in various aspects of the business. He played a pivotal role in the success of Hero Honda, a joint venture with Honda Motor Co. of Japan, which revolutionized the two-wheeler market in India. Under his leadership, Hero Honda became a dominant force in the Indian market. In 2011, after the split with Honda, Munjal led Hero MotoCorp's global expansion, establishing a presence in over 40 countries.
Key Business Strategies
Munjal focused on several key strategies, including expanding Hero MotoCorp's global footprint with factories in Colombia and Bangladesh. He also spearheaded efforts to build an independent identity for Hero MotoCorp, focusing on in-house research and development to drive innovation. The company has a partnership with Harley-Davidson for premium bikes in India. Under his leadership, the company has expanded its operations to over 30 countries and has a market share of over 50% in India.
Philanthropy
Pawan Munjal is deeply committed to philanthropy and social responsibility. He founded the Hero Foundation, which supports initiatives in education, healthcare, and rural development. He has also supported various cultural and sports events. Munjal announced a US$100 Million Global Sustainability Fund with the aim to establish global partnerships.
