AJ Gupta, senior VP - New business and projects

Ashok J Gupta is the senior vice president - New Business & Projects at Tata Chemicals Limited. He has over 30 years of experience in the chemical process industry, which includes engineering, procurement, construction, project management, commissioning and operations.

Mr Gupta joined Tata Chemicals (Fertiliser Division) in 1990 as a member of the core group for implementation of a grass root fertiliser project at Babrala and has been responsible for various phases of project and subsequent plant operation. He took charge as general manager (Operations) at the company's Inorganic Chemical complex based at Mithapur, Gujarat in June 2002. Among other key assignments, his responsibility included leading change management at the Chemical complex.

He moved back to Babrala in August 2003 as vice president (Manufacturing) and in 2006 Mr Gupta was deputed to IMACID, a joint venture company in Morocco (engaged in manufacture of phosphoric acid) as joint managing director. During his stint, the company turned completely debt-free, made record production and profit and declared dividend for the first time. A major revamp project was completed in 14 months and well within the budgeted project cost. After successfully completing the 2-year stint in Morocco, he rejoined Tata Chemicals as senior vice president - New Business and Projects and his responsibilities include overseeing biofuel and water filter businesses and other major projects of the company and its subsidiaries.

Mr Gupta has been a member of Ammonia Safety Committee of American Institute of Chemical Engineers, USA. He has authored/co-authored technical papers in various journals.

He is currently on board of Nagarjuna Oil Corporation Limited, India, JOil Singapore and Magadi Soda Company, Kenya.

Mr Gupta graduated in Chemical Engineering from Laxminarayan Institute of Technology, Nagpur in 1977. After a brief stint with Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, he joined Shriram Chemicals as graduate engineer trainee and worked at their Kota unit. In 1978, he moved to National Fertilisers Limited and initially worked at their Panipat unit. In 1983, he was transferred to their Delhi office to undertake project work in respect of new Greenfield gas-based fertiliser project at Vijaipur, Distt. Guna (M.P). He moved to Vijaipur in the year 1986.