Rahul Desai has joined Pinnacle Industries—a company that manufactures automotive seating, interiors, special application vehicles, and railway seating—as chief executive officer (CEO).
Desai, who brings nearly three decades of experience in the auto-components sector, will oversee the company’s auto components, seating and interiors division.
An alumnus of the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, Rahul Desai has spent over 14 years with GKN Sinter Metals, as director-operations, from 1996 to 2011.
In April of 2011, Desai joined Inteva Products as plant director and director on the India board. For almost two years, this role saw him overseeing Pune operations with a sales turnover of Rs 1,400 million, managing all aspects of operations, supply chain, procurement, quality, finance, information technology, and human resources.
In February 2013, he was back with GKN Sinter Metals, as plant director. For the next two and a half years, he collaborated with top management to enhance business performance and achieve Ford Q1 certification.
It was in September 2015 that Rahul Desai took on the role of chief operating officer, magnets, at CIE Automotive India. About three and a half years into this role, he was elevated to chief operating officer-magnets and composites. In June 2020, another promotion put him in the position of chief operating officer-magnets, composites and stampings. By May 2024, he had become chief executive officer-stampings, magnets and composites.
He had been successfully directing the overall operations of multiple divisions across 10 plants, aligning with corporate objectives and strategic vision while effectively managing a diverse team of 12 direct reports across various functions.
In his new role as CEO, Pinnacle, Rahul Desai will lead operations across manufacturing plants and supporting functions, with his focus on enhancing operational efficiency, strengthening core capabilities and integrating next-generation technologies.
Arihant Mehta, president, Pinnacle Industries, trusts “the perfect blend of industry experience and a forward-thinking approach” that Desai brings with him and which aligns with Pinnacle’s vision.
Mehta is confident that Desai’s “deep understanding of the auto component landscape, combined with his focus on innovation and operational excellence, will be key to refining our strategy and enhancing execution across the organisation.”
Desai’s post on social media shows that he sees “a strong foundation and a clear opportunity to deliver innovative solutions” in his new role. He is looking forward to “driving operational excellence, enhancing customer centricity, and investing in employee development to ensure we are fully equipped for the ambitious growth ahead. We will build on our strengths, embrace change, and create long-term value for our customers, employees, and stakeholders.”
