Larsen & Toubro (L&T) is a major Indian multinational engaged in technology, engineering, construction, manufacturing and financial services with over $ 21 billion in revenue and operating in over 30 countries worldwide. A strong, customer-focused approach, conformance to global EHS standards and the constant quest for top-class quality have enabled L&T to sustain leadership in its major lines of business. L&T Construction, the construction arm of L&T, is India’s largest construction organisation and among the top 15 global contractors offering EPC solutions with single-source responsibility to execute large industrial and infrastructure projects from concept to commissioning. It encompasses multiple businesses, with distinct but complementary capabilities, that address various core segments of infrastructure and industry. S N Subrahmanyan, CEO & MD, Larsen & Toubro, shares more on the company, its legacy, plans and prospects…. What is a key parameter that has contributed to you being among the most admired brands in construction? How we transform lives with our imagination and engineering—that we at L&T call ‘imagineering’—to build the tallest and the largest, the longest and the smartest and the most complex infrastructure. We make landmarks projects and products. How did you fare against the backdrop of the pandemic? During the lockdown, although our hands and legs were tied, our minds were free to think and innovate, so we continued to keep things moving forward with designing, engineering, procuring and mobilising. Once restrictions were lifted, we were prepared to hit the ground running work commencing across all projects across markets, strictly following safety protocols. By quickly adapting to the new normal of working from anywhere and with the support of our clients and customers who readily agreed to remote inspections, digital approvals and online payments, we were able to achieve our key milestones. Even our vendors cooperated. Our people showed tremendous courage and resilience to brave the pandemic situation and returned to their stations to push progress. One of the major challenges we faced after the unlock was the exodus of labour and lack of skilled manpower. The solution lay in technology and there has been a significant increase in the use of automation, mechanisation and digitalisation that has enhanced efficiencies, improved productivity, cut costs and wastage and reduced execution time across the board. What do your customers value most about you? Being predominantly a project-based organisation with digital capabilities to make specified fabrication and products, our customers set store by us for our capability to execute complex projects and crucial products to time, quality and safety. In fact, we do that time and again. Tell us about your plans for FY21-22 that will enhance your ‘admiration quotient’. As we continue to make things that make India and the world proud, we will keep transforming lives for the better across geographies that will keep contributing to our ‘admired’ quotient.