Nurturing Bonds to Drive Sustainable Growth
Stakeholder engagement remains central to AEL's commitment to responsible business conduct and long-term value creation. The Company fosters transparent, inclusive, and continuous dialogue with its diverse stakeholders to understand their expectations, address concerns, and integrate their perspectives into strategic decision-making. Through structured engagement mechanisms, AEL seeks to build trust, strengthen relationships, and enhance accountability across its operations. This collaborative approach enables the Company to proactively manage risks, identify opportunities, and deliver sustainable outcomes aligned with its ESG vision.
Our Stakeholder Engagement Strategy
AEL adopts a structured and forward-looking approach to stakeholder engagement, anchored in systematically identifying, prioritising, and responding to stakeholder needs across its value chain. The Company leverages defined engagement channels to capture insights, which are actively integrated into business planning, risk management, and performance improvement processes. By embedding these insights into decision-making, AEL enhances responsiveness, strengthens governance, and ensures alignment of its operations with evolving stakeholder expectations.
Robust Engagement Framework
We have in place a company-level stakeholder engagement policy aligned with the national and international best practices, that serves as a guiding framework for maintaining sustained, efficient and meaningful communication and dialogue with the internal and external stakeholders across our business.
This policy framework is further strengthened by robust oversight from Board-level committees, which play a critical role in guiding and monitoring stakeholder engagement practices across the organisation. These committees ensure that stakeholder perspectives are appropriately considered in strategic deliberations, risk management, and governance processes. Through periodic reviews and active guidance, the Board enables alignment of stakeholder engagement outcomes with AEL's long-term objectives, reinforcing accountability, transparency, and responsible decision-making at the highest level.
Committees driving effective stakeholder engagement at AEL
Through these committees, we endeavour to identify the actual and perceived impacts on each stakeholder group and accordingly develop relevant engagement plans.
Our Stakeholder Engagement Process
At AEL, we have established a structured, systematic, and inclusive approach to enable consistent and meaningful stakeholder engagement. This closed-loop methodology ensures that stakeholder inputs are actively captured, assessed, and integrated into our decision-making processes. Our approach is aligned with globally recognised standards, including the AA1000 Stakeholder Engagement Standard, reinforcing the robustness and credibility of our engagement practices.
- Exhaustive Identification: Identification of all stakeholders affected by AEL's operations; includes shareholders, employees, customers, suppliers, local communities, government bodies, NGOs, and media
- Detailed Classification: Categorisation of the stakeholders into groups, based on their interest and relationship with AEL; includes investors, regulatory entities, community representatives, and business partners
- Interest v/s Influence Matrix: Charting the stakeholders on a grid, as per their interest in AEL's activities and their influence on the Company
- Strategic Engagement Focus: Developing tailored engagement strategies for each quadrant of the matrix; focus is on active engagement for high interest/influence stakeholders and regular updates for others
- Communication Goals: Setting clear objectives for each stakeholder group; aim is to build relationships, address concerns, and provide updates on Company's initiatives
- Communication Channels: Using effective channels for each group; these include e-mail updates, annual reports, social media, community meetings, and workshops
- Content Strategy: Customising the messages to the interests and concerns of each stakeholder group; this ensures sustained relevance and engagement
- Feedback Mechanisms: Collecting feedback through defined mechanisms; these include surveys and feedback forms during events
- Analysis and Adaptation: Carrying out regular analysis of the feedback to identify potential improvements in the engagement plan; this includes reassessing stakeholder priorities and communication strategies
- Plan Revision: Updating the engagement plan on a continual basis, based on feedback and changing circumstances; this ensures sustained relevance and effectiveness
Collaborative Culture
Our strategic focus on ensuring meaningful and active engagement with our stakeholders is not restricted to dialogue. Our stakeholder relationships are also centred around co-creating solutions and forging partnerships that unlock collective prosperity. Our stakeholder relationship ecosystem, driven by our understanding of the stakeholders' needs, is built on the pillars of trust, transparency and mutual benefit. It helps us boost innovation, resilience, and sustainable growth. This ensures the alignment of the organisation's success to the welfare and well-being of all the stakeholders.
Our Engagement and Value Creation Methodology
Employees
Employees are the key drivers of a business, and propel innovation, productivity and customer satisfaction. Employee skills, commitment and collaboration are critical for accomplishing organisational goals and driving sustained growth.
Frequency
- Continuous
Material Issues Linked
- Talent attraction and retention
- Learning and development
- Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)
- Human rights
- Occupational health and safety
Key Expectations
- Learning and development opportunities
- Employee well-being programmes
- Protocols to ensure occupational health and safety
- Regular performance and career development reviews
- Practices for promoting diversity, equity and inclusion
- Human rights protection
- Rewards and recognition programmes
- Transparent internal communication, including training on policies and procedures
- Grievance redressal mechanism, including confidential reporting channels, timely resolution, and support systems
Modes of Engagement
- Employee well-being programmes
- Employee engagement surveys
- Whistleblower policy
- Employee town halls
- Performance appraisal reviews
- Learning and development programmes
- E-mails, internal portals, and in-house newsletters
- Employee recognition/long service awards
- Meetings and formal dialogue
- Grievance redressal mechanism
Value Created
- Improvement in employee satisfaction
- Enhanced skill development
- Safer environment with enhanced productivity
- Human capital return on investment
During FY 2025-26:
Human capital return on investment
Investors and Shareholders
Investors and shareholders facilitate business expansion and innovation by providing essential capital and financial support. Their trust and investment in the Company power growth, stability, and long-term organisational success.
Frequency
- Continuous and event-based
Material Issues Linked
- Business Ethics and Integrity
Key Expectations
- Sustainable growth and returns
- Profitability and value creation
- Proper risk management
- Best-in-class corporate governance policies and procedures
- Transparent and comprehensive disclosures
Modes of Engagement
- Annual General Meeting (AGM)
- Quarterly/Annual results
- ESG reports and disclosures
- Investor roadshows and events
- Disclosures/information on the Company's website
- Official press releases
- E-mails
- Meetings and formal dialogue
- Grievance redressal mechanism
Value Created
- Trust and confidence in Company's management
- Increase in shareholder value
During FY 2025-26:
EBITDA generated
Dividend declared
Customers
Customers are the bedrock of any business, and steer revenue and growth through their purchases and loyalty. Their feedback and satisfaction are vital for sustained improvement and long-term success.
Frequency
- Continuous
Material Issues Linked
- Customer Satisfaction
- Data Security and Customer Privacy
- Product/Service quality and safety
Key Expectations
- Product and service quality
- Timely delivery
- Pricing
- Sustainable products and services
- Customer safety and privacy
Modes of Engagement
- Customer feedback surveys
- Sales pitches and advertisements
- E-mails
- Meetings and formal dialogue
- Customer grievance redressal mechanism
Value Created
- Sustained customer satisfaction and loyalty
- High level of market competitiveness
During FY 2025-26:
Customer satisfaction among surveyed respondents
Government and Regulatory Bodies
Government and regulatory bodies ensure businesses operate within legal frameworks, promoting fair competition and consumer protection. Their oversight promotes a stable and predictable environment for sustainable growth.
Frequency
- As Needed
Material Issues Linked
- Regulatory Compliance
Key Expectations
- Compliance with laws and regulations
- Tax and royalties
- Pollution prevention
- Local economy growth and community development
- Transparent disclosures (Annual reports, BRSR etc.)
Modes of Engagement
- Advocacy through trade and industry associations
- E-mails
- Meetings and formal dialogue
- Stakeholder forums
- Integrated Annual Reports/Exchange filings
Value Created
- Continuous regulatory compliance
- Contribution to local economic growth
During FY 2025-26:
Total tax contribution to the exchequer
cases of regulatory non-compliance
Community
Community well-being nurtures a stable business environment, aiding growth. Prosperous communities augment economic. Growth and mutual success.
Frequency
- Continuous
Material Issues Linked
- Community Engagement
Key Expectations
- Welfare and empowerment of local communities
- Mitigation of any form of negative impact due to business operations
Modes of Engagement
- Community well-being initiatives
- Community impact assessment
- Social Return on Investment assessments
- Meetings and formal dialogue
- Community need assessment
- Community grievance redressal mechanism
Value Created
- Positive social impact
- Reduction in community grievances
During FY 2025-26:
Consolidated CSR spent
Lives impacted through CSR initiatives
Suppliers
Robust supply chain ensures timely delivery of products, minimising costs and promoting efficiency. This is vital for maintaining product and service quality, and meeting customer demands.
Frequency
- Continuous
Material Issues Linked
- Sustainable Supply Chain
Key Expectations
- Fair and long-term business relations
- Capacity building
- Transparency in contracting and engagement processes
Modes of Engagement
- Contract negotiations
- Supplier evaluation/due diligence
- Capacity building sessions
- E-mails
- Meetings and formal dialogue
- Supplier grievance redressal mechanism
Value Created
- Operational efficiency
- Robust supply chain relationships
During FY 2025-26:
of total procurement sourced locally (within India)
of total procurement spend on significant suppliers in Tier-1
Industry Associations
Industry associations provide businesses with networking opportunities, advocacy, and industry standards. They enable companies to stay competitive and informed about market trends and regulations.
Frequency
- As needed
Material Issues Linked
- Regulatory Compliance
- Innovation and Technology
Key Expectations
- Knowledge-sharing about industry norms, standards and best practices
- Contribution to policy advocacy
Modes of Engagement
- Meetings and formal dialogue
- Events such as conferences, seminars and round tables
- E-mails
Value Created
- Alignment with industry norms and best practices
- Informed policy advocacy
During FY 2025-26:
international and national industry associations
Collaborating with Industry Associations
Led by our unwavering focus on sustainable and responsible business actions, we have extended our commitment to ESG, including climate change, as well as to our policy advocacy and stakeholder engagement strategies, guided by our Board committees. In line with this commitment, our advocacy efforts are aligned with global initiatives, such as the Paris Agreement, Business Ambition for 1.5°C, and the UN Global Compact. Our collaborations with industry associations are important for promoting responsible ESG-related policies, both internally and in the broader sphere of our influence, thus driving our efforts for a sustainable future.
Trade and Industry Chambers/Associations with:
| Association Name | Reach |
|---|---|
| Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) | State |
| Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) | National |
| Federation of Indian Mineral Industries (FIMI) | National |
| Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) | National |
| Chemicals and Petrochemicals Manufacturers' Association (CPMA) | National |
| Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) | National |
| The Associated Chambers of Commerce & Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) | National |
| India Electronics & Semiconductor Association | National |
| Green Hydrogen Organisation (GH2) | International |
