Consistency is one attribute which does not have a substitute. And Harsh Mariwala, CMD, Marico Industries Limited, is one person who doesn't have a substitute for he has consistently achieved higher rate of growth for his company.

In fact, when Marico, an FMCG company known for its oil, ventured into the domain of skin-care products, the move was panned by the market analysts as insensible. Critics viewed it with apparent skepticism and were united in saying that the move did not make sense. But Mariwala was one person who had a different opinion, as he believed that there was sense in applying "uncommon sense" in business. All the criticism and the risk notwithstanding, he stuck to his guns. And now that the new venture has emerged successful, Mariwala's stanch has been vindicated.

A Bachelor in Commerce from Sydenham College, Mumbai, Mariwala started his career with Bombay Oil Industries Ltd. (BOIL) way back in 1971. He took charge of the company's consumer products division in 1975 and functioned as its Executive Director from 1980 to 1990. In 1990, he took over as the Chairman and Managing Director of Marico Ltd.

A firm believer in constant change and innovation, Marico, under his leadership has undergone a sort of a metamorphosis. Earlier it used to be a traditional commodity-driven business. It was Mariwala who was instrumental in transforming the company to a leading FMCG business focusing on value-added products and services both in India and abroad.

Under Mariwala's stewardship Marico has won a number of awards for excellence. The list of awards includes the award for top performing global growth company from India. The company has also been honoured with the award for the best HR practices by the National HRD network and the Innovative HR practice award at the Asia-Pacific HR conference in 1999.

A man of many talents, Mariwala besides heading Marico is on the boards of Cadbury India Ltd. and MIRC Electronics Ltd. among others. He is also a member of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and an executive committee member of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Western Region.

To a keen observer, Mariwala makes a perfect epitome of strategic thinking. When he made his much discussed shift, there was a clear possibility of a future boom in the skin-care segment. It was an opportunity waiting to be tapped. Mariwala took the challenge head on. And today Kaya Skin Care Ltd. is showing very positive results with already 13 skin-care clinics across Delhi, Mumbai and Dubai and over ten thousand loyal customers. What makes it more significant is the fact that the company's new success was attained in a matter of just 16 months.

Today, Marico under Mariwala's vision has expanded its portfolio from 2 brands to 12 brands. Given the lack of stability in market trends, this is a high-risk bet. Mariwala has proven himself by weathering the storm every time. It is mainly because of his dedication and consistency that the company has reached a point where few could think of. An avid golfer, a keen trekker, swimmer and lover of Indian classical music, Mariwala loves to take risks. And luck has never betrayed him, for they have given him what he so richly deserves.