With over 25 years of experience and a background in electrical engineering, Viren Shah leads Fibox India’s operations from Pune. As Country Manager he is responsible for sales, business development, profitability, HR and daily operations. But more than anything, he’s been part of Fibox India’s story from the very beginning – starting in 2013 as the company’s first local employee. Since then, the team has grown to around 20 people and new colleagues are being recruited to support the company’s continued growth.
As the first employee of Fibox India, I’ve learned a lot over the years. It wasn’t easy to start everything from scratch, but I kept learning – from every department and every challenge.
Before joining Fibox, Viren built a successful career at Rittal, a German company, where he progressed from Sales Engineer to Regional Head. His journey in the enclosure industry began there, managing strategic business units focused on power distribution, enclosures and panel cooling. This foundation has been instrumental in shaping his career path and preparing him for the challenges and opportunities at Fibox.
My experience at Rittal laid a strong foundation for my career, and I’m excited to leverage my skills and expertise in my current role.
Driving growth and building a legacy
Today, Viren’s job is about both daily execution and long-term planning. One of his current goals is to establish a control panel manufacturing unit in India, modeled on Fibox Tested System’s Warsaw plant.
I see much of a potential there. Additionally my short-term focus is on increasing sales by 20%, improving efficiency and making sure our customers are satisfied. Long-term, I want to grow our role in energy and infrastructure and build a strong local team.
The road hasn’t been without obstacles. Viren has had to navigate competitive markets, local regulations and lead teams with different cultural and language backgrounds.
I’ve found that the best way to move forward is to stay flexible, build good relationships and focus on finding practical solutions.
A holistic life: Balance and belonging
Outside the office, Viren enjoys sports – especially cricket and table tennis – and spending time with his family.
Evenings with my children are the best part of the day. We laugh a lot, tease each other and talk the highs and lows of our day.
He and his wife follow a daily routine that includes yoga and walking. They also value regular time with their parents and close friends – something they see as an important part of their everyday wellbeing.
Fibox as a platform for growth
Viren says that Fibox has played an important role in his development – not only professionally, but also personally. Being the first employee gave him a wide range of responsibilities, and over the years he has grown into a strategic role with global exposure.
I’ve had the chance to take on big responsibilities, think strategically and grow as a manager.
Key takeaways from his journey include the importance of adaptability, resilience, continuous learning and strategic thinking – qualities he believes are essential for anyone seeking a similar career path.
Viren is grateful for Fibox’s support, including guidance from experienced leaders, global networking opportunities and access to the right tools and resources. This support has helped him stay ahead in the industry and contribute to Fibox India’s success.
Guiding values for life and work
Viren’s leadership philosophy is deeply rooted in a set of personal principles that guide his decisions and actions both professionally and personally.
His leadership is guided by four core principles:
- Time is money
- Knowledge is power
- Character is life
- Truth is God
These personal values have helped me in every aspect of my life and work.
Looking ahead, he remains committed to leaving a legacy – not just through business success, but also by mentoring others and shaping the future of the industry.
