Onkar Swami

I am a senior technical and techno-commercial leader with 15+ years of experience in paints, coatings, adhesives, and PU systems across decorative, automotive, industrial, marine, and protective segments. My work sits at the intersection of technology, manufacturing, cost, and customer needs. Over the years, I have led end-to-end product development from lab concept to plant-scale commercialization, including automotive 2K systems, epoxy and PU industrial coatings, water-based architectural products, road marking solutions, and specialty coatings. I have been closely involved in formulation optimization, raw material localization, and process improvement to deliver reliable performance at competitive cost. Beyond R&D, I work extensively with sales, production, and procurement teams to translate technical capability into commercial success. This includes supporting customer trials and approvals, resolving field issues, strengthening supplier partnerships, and improving margins without compromising quality. Currently, I lead technical and R&D functions for a large regional paint manufacturer in East Africa, managing multidisciplinary teams and collaborating with senior management on product strategy, portfolio expansion, and growth initiatives.