Häfele India was recently honoured with the Skill Catalyst Award – Corporate (GOLD) at the India Kitchen Congress Awards 2025, in recognition of its outstanding efforts in workforce training and partner upskilling. Representing the company, Meenakshi Talesra, Head of Training, delivered a compelling special address on the company’s commitment to skill development in the furniture industry.
Culture of Learning
“Learning is embedded in our culture, our mindset, and our strategy,” said Talesra, reflecting on her 10+ years at Häfele. With over two decades of experience in designing learning programmes, she described training as her “creative space,” where passion and purpose converge to create tangible outcomes.
At the heart of Häfele’s approach is a dual focus on technical competence and behavioural competence, she said. “You cannot work on them in silos,” she emphasised. “For holistic development, soft skills like communication and leadership are just as important as product knowledge.”
Häfele’s Flagship Learning Programmes
Talesra highlighted Häfele’s Learning Hub, a structured training ecosystem that addresses all levels of the organisation — from management trainees and first-time managers to service technicians and channel partners. These programmes are tailored to each role and business line, ensuring alignment with real-world needs and business strategy.
“Service is a critical part of our ecosystem,” she noted, adding that frontline staff, engineers, and franchisee teams are trained not only in technical product applications but also in customer handling and interpersonal skills.
Industry Collaborations Through FFSC and L.I.F.E.
Going beyond internal training, Häfele India actively supports the broader skill development ecosystem. Talesra is a Skill Ambassador with the Furniture & Fittings Skill Council (FFSC), and shared how the company has partnered with FFSC over the past two years to train and place young talent in the industry.
“It’s fulfilling to see the impact of FFSC’s work — how young minds are getting job-ready and becoming ambassadors of the skills movement,” she said.
Talesra also plays a key role in L.I.F.E. – Ladies in the Furniture Ecosystem, a Hafele-initiated forum created by women for women. LIFE fosters industry conversations, collaboration, and leadership development through both virtual and physical events.
Watch her 10-minute message here.
Proud Milestone at IKC Awards 2025
Reflecting on the India Kitchen Congress Awards experience, Talesra appreciated the transparency and structure of the nomination process. “This was our first time applying, and we wanted to showcase the impact of our training programmes — internally, with partners, and through our industry collaborations.”
Receiving the Skill Catalyst Award 2025 – Corporate (GOLD) was a proud and humbling moment, she asserted. “Skill is no longer a back-end issue — it is a frontline strategy. As industry partners, we all need to work together to build a stronger, more skilled ecosystem.”
Häfele India’s approach to skill development in the furniture industry offers a blueprint for how corporate learning can transcend internal boundaries and shape an entire sector. Under the leadership of Meenakshi Talesra, the company continues to set high standards for competency-building, collaboration, and inclusion.