Dr. Lal PathLabs Pvt. Ltd (LPL), India's largest medical diagnostics company, has effected three major changes at the top. While O P Manchanda has been elevated to the post of chief executive officer, Dr Ravi Narula and marketing whiz Sameer Kaul have joined the pathology major as head -alliances business and marketing, respectively.
Manchanda joined LPL as chief operating officer in 2005. His elevation to the top job reflects the company's commitment towards promoting excellence in a professional management-led organization, said a company press release.
Congratulating Manchanda, LPL's CMD Dr Arvind Lal said, "Om has been an inspiration to all the young professionals of the LPL family. We look forward to his continued leadership in LPL."
LPL, under the stewardship of Manchanda, Kaul and Dr. Narula, plans to have a network of 50 laboratories across the country by March 2009 and expects to more than double the number of sample collection centres to touch 1,000 over the next four years. The Company also plans to set up 50 state-of-the-arts Patient Service Centres (PSC) across India by mid-2008. Apart from all metros, these PSCs will be located at mini-metros and tier-II cities across India. The initiative is a part of LPL's constant endeavour to provide best possible diagnostic facilities to every Indian.
"As LPL embarks on an aggressive growth through acquisitions and venturing into newer markets, I am confident that the combined expertise of my new colleagues Narula and Kaul will help LPL in a big way," said Manchanda.
Om has a diverse experience of over 18 years across sales, marketing and general management functions in business sectors such as FMCG, agri-biotech products and consumer healthcare.
Before joining LPL, Manchanda led the International & Innovation group of the Consumer Healthcare Division at Ranbaxy, India's largest pharmaceutical company. He was part of the team responsible for launching Ranbaxy's foray into consumer healthcare. Prior to Ranbaxy, Manchanda, an MBA from IIM-Ahmedabad, has worked for Monsanto and Hindustan Lever (now Unilever).
Dr. Narula has over 18 years of experience in the diagnostic and healthcare industry. He holds a Masters degree in Medical Biochemistry, and a Ph.D in Medical Biochemistry from PGI, Chandigarh. He is also an MBA from FMS, Delhi University. Before joining LPL, he worked with Lumenis HK, Becton Dickinson, Wipro Biomed and Hospitals - India.
An MBA from Bond University, Gold Coast, Australia, Kaul is a marketing professional with over 10 years of industry experience. Prior to his current stint at LPL, he was the Deputy General Manager with Asahi India Glass, heading the marketing division of Windshield Experts.