Speaking to BW Security World, Motwani drew from his 37-year journey across Godrej’s verticals — from FMCG and consumer durables to organised retail — to explain how deep-rooted consumer insight has shaped not just product design, but strategic innovation in physical and digital security
As the Indian building and construction sector becomes increasingly digitised, stakeholders across architecture, infrastructure, and security are recalibrating their strategies. At the heart of this transformation is a heightened demand for smarter, more integrated locking and access solutions — and few are better positioned to interpret this shift than Shyam Motwani, Business Head of Locks & Architectural Solutions at Godrej.
Speaking to BW Security World, Motwani drew from his 37-year journey across Godrej’s verticals — from FMCG and consumer durables to organised retail — to explain how deep-rooted consumer insight has shaped not just product design, but strategic innovation in physical and digital security.
“Over time, we’ve moved from ‘value for money’ to ‘money for value’,” he said. “Today’s consumer is research-oriented and technology-forward, seeking not just reliability but enhanced functionality, aesthetics, and digital connectivity.”
Smarter Security, Faster Innovation
That shift has significant implications for the security ecosystem, where traditional mechanical locks are giving way to intelligent systems — many embedded with IoT capabilities and biometric access controls. Products such as the Advantis IoT 9, developed entirely in India, represent this changing paradigm: secure yet intuitive, functionally robust yet aligned to a digitally native audience.
From an industry standpoint, Godrej’s adoption of AI, predictive analytics, and Robotic Process Automation (RPA) marks a strategic shift toward agile manufacturing and product development. In a sector traditionally hesitant to abandon legacy systems, this approach signals a modernisation push. “We’re using simulation tools like FMEA for design validation, accelerating lifecycle testing, and deploying automation selectively to enhance throughput without displacing jobs,” Motwani said.
India’s construction and real estate ecosystem — one of the fastest-growing globally — is increasingly demanding scalable, smart solutions for urban homes, commercial buildings, and public infrastructure. Motwani sees architects, interior contractors, and retail partners not just as channels but as co-creators in product development and brand growth. This has led to digital engagement platforms such as the Godrej Vishesh Lab Club and Godrej Value Co-Creators Club, fostering a data-rich feedback loop from field to factory.
Risk-aware Roadmap For Market Leadership
Cyber security and data privacy have also become core to Godrej’s operational ethos. “We follow an India-first approach — data is encrypted, stored locally, and governed by evolving compliance frameworks,” Motwani explained. This stance is critical as consumer trust hinges not just on product reliability, but also on how well brands safeguard user data across platforms and devices.
Risk management, meanwhile, is woven into Godrej’s enterprise architecture. “Each business vertical follows an Enterprise Risk Management framework where macroeconomic, operational, and geopolitical risks are evaluated annually,” he said. This level of foresight is vital when entering new verticals or scaling innovations across volatile markets.
For the security and smart architecture industries, Godrej’s strategy offers a roadmap: one that is rooted in legacy but responsive to disruption, and one that places consumer behaviour at the centre of design, delivery, and risk planning. With digitally enabled locks and integrated access control systems expected to become baseline offerings in new constructions, players who can blend trust, tech, and scale — as Godrej aims to — will likely shape the next phase of India’s built environment.