Pune, March 18, 2016 – PRNewswire – With the objective to recognise excellence and commitment to gender equality, diversity and inclusion, Sandvik Asia Pvt Ltd, the Indian subsidiary of Sandvik AB, has announced the launch of Sandvik India Diversity Award. The launch event was presided over by Parag Satpute, Managing Director, Sandvik Asia along with Mrs Lila Poonawalla, former CMD Alfa Laval, Tetra Pak India; Chairperson, Lila Poonawalla Foundation; Ms Fredrika Ornbrant, the Consulate General of Sweden and Ms Jyotsna Sharma, CFO, Sandvik Asia.

Sandvik has strategically embraced diversity and inclusion in its operating philosophy. Taking its diversity philosophy forward, the Sandvik India Diversity Award underscores Sandvik's commitments towards promoting diversity and inclusion in the communities. The award will be given to individuals who demonstrate exemplary leadership in promoting diversity and inclusion, and will have the following selection criteria:

* Fostering and promoting an inclusive approach in the communities

* Challenging and overcoming conscious and sub-conscious bias

* Developing a gender-balanced leadership, and

* Helping women achieve their ambitions.

Parag Satpute, Managing Director, Sandvik Asia said, “Sandvik's inspiring vision – we set the industry standard means that we strive for nothing less than being number one in the eyes of our customers and all other stakeholders. Setting the industry standard requires a high level of innovative thinking across the company. Therefore, diversity and inclusion becomes key to secure our leadership position. The Sandvik India Diversity Award is an extension of our diversity and inclusion principle to the communities we serve.”

Ms Fredrika Ornbrant, Consulate General of Sweden said, “Gender equality and diversity are one of the prime pillars of Swedish society. Women and men should enjoy the same opportunities, rights and obligations in all areas of life, including work life. Swedish companies are well aware about these 2 pillars, considered good for business. Swedish companies currently employ 160,000 people directly in India and around 20 per cent of the employees are women. For Swedish companies, gender diversity is key, which was highlighted in the Swedish Business Climate Survey where 8 out of 10 companies across all sectors said they were working actively on gender diversity. Sandvik is one of these progressive companies having taken many measures to embrace and promote gender diversity not only at the workplace but also in the communities. I hope that the Sandvik India Diversity Award creates a new benchmark of excellence in the areas of gender, diversity and inclusion.”

The first Sandvik India Diversity Award will be given out in early 2017 and in the first edition, will consider outstanding diversity and inclusion community work done in 2016. Juries for the award will be Swedish Chamber of Commerce, India; and UN Global Compact Network India along with few renowned international organisations.