In the bustling streets of India, where diversity and vibrancy fill the air, a new breed of dreamers and doers is emerging – the first-generation Indian entrepreneurs. Many of them come from humble beginnings, armed with determination, resilience, and a vision to create something extraordinary. Among these zealous entrepreneurs are Vishwas Joglekar and Rajeev Barve, who challenged the status quo in the late 90s, helping pave the way for a new era of entrepreneurial excellence in India.
Today, Joglekar and Barve are directors at Innovative Automation, a Pune-based manufacturer, system integrator, and exporter of combustion control and safety equipment. They are trailblazing first-generation entrepreneurs who defied the traditional Maharashtrian societal norm of seeking secure and stable jobs. “While Barve hails from a family with a longstanding background in government service, my parents owned a business in Kolkata, instilling in me a passion for entrepreneurship from a young age. We embarked on an exciting journey together to create a new path and leave a legacy through our entrepreneurial endeavors”, highlights Joglekar.
From Engineering to Entrepreneurship
Joglekar, a 1991-batch production engineering graduate from Savitribai Phule Pune University, along with Barve, an instrumentation engineer, leaped into the world of entrepreneurship after working for seven years in established corporations. Joglekar's career began with SKF Bearings, followed by Advani Oerlikon group, and, eventually, Blue Star, where he met Barve.
“I believe destiny has played a role in shaping my career path, providing me with opportunities to learn the art of running an enterprise through diverse experiences in different companies”, says Joglekar.
In 1997, Joglekar launched his first startup, where he worked as a freelance sales and marketing consultant for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME). Six months later, Barve quit his job and, like Joglekar, began collaborating with SMEs. Joglekar and Barve worked independently until 1998 before forming a partnership firm, Innovative Engineers, which has now evolved into their current company, Innovative Automation. Soon after the inception, they collaborated with Honeywell as channel partners for combustion control products, which marked the beginning of their focused journey into the field of natural gas safety. Honeywell even recognized Innovative Automation as the best distributor for four consecutive years.
Year 2007: Leap of Faith
“However, territorial restrictions and uncertainties in Honeywell's policies limited our growth. Eventually, in 2007, we made a bold decision to partner with Madas, an Italian company, for exclusive selling and integration rights in India and SAARC countries, despite a conflict of interest with Honeywell and Madas’s negligible market share in India”, explains Barve. Today, Innovative Automation stands fourth among Madas’s 85 global partners. A diverse product portfolio and seamless association with Madas have made Innovative Automation the preferred partner for well-known OEMs and large business houses.
Driven by Joglekar and Barve’s in-depth domain knowledge and expertise, Innovative Automation currently focuses on manufacturing natural gas pressure-reducing systems and safety gear for industrial burners. “With the government's commitment to replace conventional fuels with natural gas, including the growth of CNG-run vehicles and piped natural gas in urban areas, the demand for our products has increased. Our 25 years of experience, a 37 percent market share, and the capacity to manufacture 2500 units annually are our strengths”, adds Barve.
Walking the Talk
The leadership style of Barve and Joglekar revolves around inclusivity and collaboration, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within the organization. “More importantly, we believe in leading by example. Our philosophy of serving our team rather than ruling over them has resulted in a healthy and balanced work environment where employees consistently deliver desired outcomes without undue pressure”, mentions Joglekar.
Joglekar and Barve have been inspiring existing and budding entrepreneurs alike with their unique ideas and leadership style. “It is important to differentiate between being a businessman and an entrepreneur, having a clear purpose beyond just earning money is crucial for creating a legacy organization. Let us take pride in being entrepreneurs, no matter the size of our enterprise, and embrace a leadership mindset to become business leaders in our respective fields”, concludes Joglekar.
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