Introducing Ms. Rekha Gopal of Padmajyothi Industries

In conversation with Rekha Gopal, I realize that she truly defies the odds. A Bangalorean who studied at the Cluny Convent and Malleswaram Education Society, she worked in the purchase department at LRDE (Electronics & Radar Development Establishment), a premier DRDO organization from 1981 to 1997. She excelled in her role there, winning recognition and awards during her long tenure. So how did Rekha override the obvious possibilities?

Well, you wouldn't expect a graduate in commerce armed with a diploma in materials management to venture into the engineering sector, yet that is exactly what Rekha did, after the urge to ‘do something different' grew too strong to be ignored. As she says, "The nature of work [at LRDE] was monotonous - I could not afford to see the world go by. There was a burning desire to start an enterprise of my own, so I resigned from LRDE with no benefits whatsoever."

Why not stand apart?

Bold? Certainly - after all, she was not an engineering graduate. But Rekha says, "Women are mostly engaged in the conventional sector, very few women work in the engineering sector. Why not stand apart?" Further, it is noteworthy to mention that as Rekha's father was a deputy general manager at HMT, she was stepping out as a first generation entrepreneur fortified only with a vision and a purpose. For her, this was enough - she quips, "find purpose - the means will follow."

With this rationale and the full support of her family, Rekha approached the Karnataka Small Scale Industries Development Corporation in 1997 for a shed/plot and simultaneously, the Karnataka State Finance Corporation for a loan. None other than her mother-in-law helped Rekha obtain this loan, as she pledged her home as security with the bank.

Padmajyothi Industries was born, in a rented shed in Peenya - the industrial area developed by the Government of Karnataka - first stage, with second-hand machinery imported from Germany.

Achieving ISO accreditation

For someone who firmly believes in the adage, "A journey of a million miles begins with  a single step," Rekha's Padmajyothi Industries has certainly covered many intrepid steps. Now an ISO accredited unit operating from its own building in Peenya third stage with new, higher tonnage machineries, Padmajyothi Industries specializes in the manufacturing of pressed and deep drawn components and assemblies. The small-scale unit - which presently employs nine - is engaged in manufacturing original equipment (OE) for the automobile and electrical sectors. Also a partner in a tool room, it manufactures tools, jigs and fixtures.

When the going gets tough, the tough get going

But the journey Rekha has traversed in the last decade has not been an up and up experience, so to speak. She has had to make hard business decisions, to keep up the business momentum. In her words, "Profits lead to long term stability." In her second year of operations, she had to stop effecting supplies to her first and major customer M/s VDO India when it was taken over by Siemens. The German company [Siemens] insisted on her cutting down prices.

This - when she believes the rates she offered were competitive. Rekha had no choice but to stop supplies. Her unit suffered because of her decision, and she believes Siemens also faced difficulty in procuring supplies. The worse outcome of her decision was the fact that she had to send ten workers packing. This was quite literally, a tough call to take, as it led to Rekha opening and closing the factory for the ensuing six months.

The harder we work, the higher we grow

Eventually, determination and hard work helped tide her through the crisis, and achieve the targets she had set for her industry. Accuracy is essential to succeed, as Rekha says the facility is audited in every business aspect prior to being allotted major contracts. She also highlights maintaining good relations with suppliers, customers, bankers and employees, applying sound management skills, perseverance, time management and strict financial discipline as secrets of her confidence and success.

Ensuring that Padmajyothi's products are excellent in quality and rightly priced, working to satisfy customers and taking customer feedback seriously has helped the unit develop an edge over other industries in the same field.

Further, Rekha says that one meets all kinds of persons during work, and that not every client has the same approach to working with a woman entrepreneur. Inspite of this, one has to accord every potential customer respect and infuse every business deal with a positive attitude.

In fact, Rekha's bankers recently felicitated her for her positive outlook during an entrepreneurs meet held at Peenya, thus leading her to opine that faith - in God and oneself and work - is what translates any endeavour into a success story. 

A sound believer in the two word success story "Work Works," Rekha thanks her father for giving her [and her siblings] the best of life while emphasizing ethical living, and her maternal grandmother for the loving care and encouragement she has showered on her to this day.

Future plans: Her future plans include expanding the product line and targeting new customers in a strategic and focused manner. She gains much support from eMERG, an alliance of professional women in the engineering sector. As she says, "We are innovative, work together professionally, explore synergies and have a [common] dream to grow globally."

This group of women aim at consistent growth through the development of value-add, competitively priced products adhering to interational standards, and also aim at providing a single point access for global and local supplies of a wide range of engineering and manufacturing services. 

We have no doubt that Rekha Gopal, has many more peaks to scale. But then, for a gutsy woman believing that "man [and woman] is born to work and prosper, not to rest and rust," what could be better? 

Charu Bahri is a freelance writer and author of two books. She also writes funding grants and software for a charity working in the health sector 

Issue BG73 Apr07

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