Q&A WITH WTCA's NEWEST MEMBERS - January 2025

The WTCA Editorial Team sat down with a few of WTCA’s newest Members to learn more about their plans for their WTC licenses and how they envision bringing new opportunities to the global WTCA network.

Our interviewees:

• Mr. Mohnish Advani, Partner, WTC Hinjawadi in India (joined September 2024)
• Mr. Brian Oglesby, President/CEO, WTC Pittsburgh in the U.S. (license transferred July 2024)
• Mr. Dinesh Dubey, COO, WTC Thane in India (joined December 2024)

What is your vision for your WTC business and why did you decide to obtain a WTC license?

Mr. Advani (WTC Hinjawadi): Our vision is twofold. First, to create a word-class real estate asset. Second, to increase cross border trade and investment activity in the greater region of Pune and with other WTC businesses across the globe. The decision to obtain the license was a no-brainer as the reputation of the [WTC] brand is unparalleled, not just in India, but globally.

Mr. Oglesby (WTC Pittsburgh): Pittsburgh has long been a hub for production and an economic engine that creates a bridge between the economies of the Mid-Atlantic and Midwestern regions of the U.S. I intend to utilize the WTC license to enhance this dynamic and create global pathways to commerce for Pittsburgh and its surrounding region. This acquisition also creates a one-of-a-kind opportunity to wed the diversification of supply chains with an established global network to create broad and dynamic supply chain growth options for our members.

Mr. Dubey (WTC Thane): Our vision is to position Thane as a pivotal global business location by creating a transformative business hub that integrates state-of-the-art commercial office spaces, retail spaces, a convention center and an Urban Distribution Centre (UDC) that caters to last-mile logistics requirements. This project aims to address the evolving client needs of modern businesses by providing the infrastructure that supports seamless trade and commerce, within a sustainably built environment, to improve business efficiency and reduce operating cost. As a first-of-its-kind, mixed-use development in India, WTC Thane is uniquely designed to cater to emerging business models such as last-mile logistics and quick commerce, which are rapidly reshaping Indian consumer demand. These models — driven by high population density, growing consumer expectations, rapid urbanization and increased internet penetration — are only practical and scalable in India’s dynamic cities. WTC Thane will offer businesses the infrastructure they need to succeed in this fast-evolving landscape, making it a pivotal hub for both traditional and new-age industries. Obtaining the WTC license enables us to elevate Thane’s profile on the global stage, fostering strategic partnerships and creating opportunities for businesses to connect with an international business network and trade affiliations spanning 300+ WTC businesses in nearly 100 countries across the globe. Through this Association, WTC Thane will be benchmarked to deliver innovative solutions aligned with global standards of operational excellence, world-class business amenities, sustainability, and technology integration, creating a future-ready business district.

What are you looking forward to most about joining this global network?

Mr. Advani (WTC Hinjawadi): Fostering connections with our international counterparts and tenants occupying space within the global WTC premises.

Mr. Oglesby (WTC Pittsburgh): Creating relationships that result in accessible, reciprocal international trade and a presence in emerging economies.

Mr. Dubey (WTC Thane): Joining the global WTCA network is more than just a membership – it opens doors to new opportunities for businesses in Thane by connecting them with a diverse, dynamic community of global enterprises, trade councils and government representatives. The platform will support local businesses, helping them unlock cross-border opportunities and enhance their global presence. It will not only promote Indian businesses internationally, but also attract foreign investment to Thane, making it a preferred destination for companies looking to expand in India. By being part of the WTCA community, we can bring global best practices to India and position Thane as a strategic destination for global trade.

How will the WTC Brand benefit your local community?

Mr. Advani (WTC Hinjawadi): It is unarguably one of the most reputed commercial office brands, which will surely help in attracting several new global tenants to Hinjawadi once the center goes live, creating employment on a large scale.

Mr. Oglesby (WTC Pittsburgh): I believe the WTC brand lends credibility to the regional economy and can serve as a means of outside-in growth for emerging businesses to help them become more competitive and contributory within their local markets.

Mr. Dubey (WTC Thane): Thane is a city on the rise — driven by a growing middle-class population, thriving businesses and ongoing urban transformation. The arrival of a global marquee brand like the WTC brand will elevate the city’s position on the international trade map and signal a new milestone in its evolution toward becoming a key player in India’s economic growth story. Strategically located to leverage Thane’s rapidly improving infrastructure, the project will benefit from upcoming transport infrastructure developments such as the Thane-Borivali Twin Tunnel, Goregaon-Mulund Link Road and Metro Line 4, which will enhance connectivity with Mumbai’s western, central and eastern corridors. By attracting high-profile tenants and facilitating business interactions through the WTCA network, we will empower local businesses to access global markets, boosting their growth and contributing to the city’s socio-economic advancement. Beyond business, WTC Thane will create a modern, inclusive environment that promotes stronger community ties and enhances quality of life for employees and residents alike — a key driver of sustainable urban development in Thane.

How will our global community benefit from your local business network?

Mr. Advani (WTC Hinjawadi): Several of our local businesses in the IT/software industry are looking at international expansions as well as exports of their products. The WTCA network can certainly benefit many global community members.

Mr. Oglesby (WTC Pittsburgh): Pittsburgh is a hidden gem of economic and business activity in global industries such as technology, advanced manufacturing, energy, biopharma and logistics/transportation.

Mr. Dubey (WTC Thane): WTC Thane will serve as a gateway to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), offering global businesses seamless access to one of India’s fastest-growing economic hubs. The project’s catchment area covers 200,000+ addressable households within 30 minutes, including 75,000+ households in premium residential developments and over 1 million office professionals working across 2,000+ corporates within Thane’s major business hubs. Welspun One is India’s fastest-growing new-age logistics and industrial real estate manager, and the license holder for WTC Thane. Its pan-India footprint spans key metropolitan and industrial markets, including Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, Chennai and Lucknow, catering to diverse client needs. In just five years, we have built a portfolio of 16 million square feet of Grade-A assets and established ourselves as a leader in the warehousing and logistics sector. Backed by Welspun World, a US $5 billion conglomerate with a presence in 50+ countries, we bring extensive experience and expertise to the WTCA network. By blending the project’s innovative design features with the prestige of WTCA, WTC Thane will foster cross-border collaborations, unlock investment opportunities and contribute to building a more interconnected global economy. This unique combination of infrastructure, location and global reach will set new benchmarks for operational excellence in India’s real estate sector, making WTC Thane a valuable addition to the WTCA network.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself.

Mr. Oglesby (WTC Pittsburgh): I am a rare hybrid of avid recreational athlete (name it, I play it) and complete science nerd (name it, I read it). I also tell the best “Dad-jokes” in the known universe, be wary.

Interested in connecting with one of our interviewees?  Contact WTCA at  info@wtca.org  for assistance.