Parag Kulkarni is Vice President & Business Head – Commercial Lighting & Furniture Business, Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting Group.

Parag joined Wipro in 1993 in the Sales function of Wipro Lighting. Prior to this, Parag has worked with SKF Bearings (I) Ltd, where he began his career, and later with Atlas Copco (I) Ltd. SKF Bearings is a Swedish MNC and a World Leader in Bearings. Atlas Copco is also a Swedish MNC and a World Leader in Air and Gas Compressors, and Construction and Mining Equipments.

Subsequent to his experience in the leading Swedish Multinationals, Parag joined Wipro Lighting in its formative years. After handling different responsibilities in Sales function in his first 6 years in Wipro Lighting; Parag was responsible for establishing the Wipro Lighting brand in West and Central India, and later in North India in his capacity as the Regional Head. He contributed significantly towards the growth of Wipro Lighting in its nascent stage. 

In 1999, he was appointed as Marketing Head of Wipro Lighting’s C&I Business. In his new role, he contributed significantly in the Strategy and Positioning of the Lighting business from an Industrial Lighting company to a ‘Leader in Indoor Lighting’. During his tenure, Parag also handled the responsibility of Export business; and with his sheer vision, front-ended and established the ‘Energy Management Systems’ as one of the core competencies of Wipro Lighting.

In 2004, Parag was entrusted with the responsibility of Heading the newly formed ‘Wipro Furniture Business’. In a short span of 5 years, Wipro Furniture Business has become the ‘Fastest Growing Furniture Company’ in India, logging in High Growth on a consistent basis. Parag has nurtured a fine team of Furniture professionals with strong focus on “R&D and Design” and “Project Management”. Parag completely believes in continuous innovation to create customer-centric products. Under his stewardship, Wipro Furniture Business has launched ‘I’M – India’s First Leg and Beam Based system’ which has applied for 3 Product Patents on its name, for its unique design.

Wipro Furniture Business is also the first company to tie-up with ‘Leading International Designers’ such as Tim Wallace – London, Eric Chan – New York and Conrad Marini – Toronto to design and launch ‘International range of Products’ for the Indian market. Tim’s product ‘STARTLINE’ (for Wipro Furniture) is ready for launch, and has applied for 4 Design Registrations for its exclusive design.

Wipro Furniture Business is also accredited with India’s ‘Most Modern Furniture Manufacturing Factory’ in Aurangabad and ‘India’s All-Ladies Chair Manufacturing Factory” at Chennai. Wipro Furniture Business has serviced over 1000 customers and has supplied over 150,000 workstations and chairs for various projects.

Apart from leading the C&I Lighting and Furniture Business on the path of innovation and growth, Parag is also an active Member of “India CEO Forum”, which is a unique platform for CEOs to interpret, understand and anticipate developments in India's market and operating environment.