Deepa Banka is the Director of Novoflex Industries, a Kolkata-based company specialising in manufacturing various industries’ engineered plastic components. Having grown up in a family of entrepreneurs and married into one, Deepa was always a top academic achiever, consistently excelling in all her academic pursuits. Despite being denied of pursuing Engineering at IIT Kharagpur, fate led her towards the manufacturing industry where she is acing the story of Make in India.
Deepa Banka always had a passion for engineering. As a school topper from a young age, she excelled in physics and math and dreamt of studying engineering. She even got admission to one of India’s most prestigious engineering colleges, IIT Kharagpur. However, being from a conservative Marwadi family, her dreams were met with challenges. Her family did not allow her to attend IIT Kharagpur, citing concerns about the campus’s safety and women’s treatment. Despite her attempts to convince them otherwise, her parents remained steadfast in their decision.
Deepa was devastated by this setback but did not give up on her dreams. Instead, she switched her field from science to commerce and continued her education. Although she had to change her path, Deepa remained determined to find another way to pursue her passion for engineering. Years later, fate intervened, and Deepa found herself in the manufacturing industry. Her husband, Dinesh Banka, CEO & Director of Novoflex, became the supportive partner. For the last three decades, she has worked with Novoflex Industries, expanding its market base and manufacturing engineered plastic components that serve various industries.
“It has always been my dream to accomplish great things while empowering women to establish a place in society and stand on equal footing with men. I am incredibly fortunate to have had the unwavering support of my beloved husband, who has played a vital role in helping me realize my aspirations”, said Deepa Banka.
Leading the Change with Make in India
Novoflex Industries was established by the Late Shri T C Banka, who had the vision to develop a company that would not only deliver quality products and services but also offer cutting-edge products that were at the forefront of the latest technologies in the wiring accessories and plastic sector. When Deepa Banka began her entrepreneurial journey with Novoflex, she quickly noticed a gap in the market. She realized that certain products used in the manufacturing sector had to be imported at exorbitant prices. This motivated her to initiate a comprehensive research and development process, and soon after, they started manufacturing those components in India. They produced better and more robust products that were also highly cost-effective. Being naturally creative, the journey of establishing Novoflex Industries perfectly aligned with Deepa’s passion, and she found it both exciting and engaging.
As Novoflex Industries grew, so did Deepa Banka’s role within the company. In the initial stages, she had to oversee every aspect of the business, from employee selection, recruitment, and training to administration and DHR relationships. She was also responsible for factory production and processes, as well as the identification and manufacturing of innovative products for different industries and the various certifications required for them.
Over time, Deepa’s role expanded to include marketing and sales, as well as participation in top trade exhibitions in India and around the world. Her typical day at Novoflex begins with reviewing production reports from various plants to analyze discrepancies or quality issues. She then follows up on the progress of marketing activities and assigns big leads to the respective sales teams. Twice a week, she visits the company’s three plants to ensure everything runs smoothly according to the standard operating procedure.
“As Novoflex Industries grew, so did my role within the company. Initially, I had to oversee every aspect of the business, but over time, my responsibilities expanded to include marketing and sales. Each day comes with its own challenges and joys, and I’m constantly learning and growing along with the company. I remain committed to providing cutting-edge products and services that meet the needs of our customers, and I’m proud of the work we’re doing at Novoflex Industries”, adds Deepa Banka.
Role of Women in Manufacturing
Deepa Banka firmly believes in women’s empowerment in the workplace. Despite facing numerous challenges, she understands the importance of balancing work and home life, overcoming gender bias and societal norms, and overcoming discrimination and harassment in the workplace. Through hard work and determination, Deepa has shown that women can succeed in any industry and overcome obstacles. At Novoflex Industries, Deepa has made it a priority to empower women within the organization. Her efforts to promote gender equality in the workplace are making a significant impact. Her vision of a world where women are on equal footing with men is coming closer to reality.
Around 60% of the company’s workforce comprises women from the local community, offering them an opportunity for livelihood while balancing their family responsibilities. Additionally, 35% of the company’s female employees hold top jobs in factory management, quality checking, supervision, and sales. Novoflex Industries ensures equal opportunities and pay scales without discrimination compared to male counterparts. “At Novoflex Industries, we believe in women’s empowerment and strive to provide equal opportunities to all our employees, regardless of gender. It’s essential to balance work and home life, overcome gender bias and societal norms, and combat discrimination and harassment in the workplace. I’m proud of the progress we’ve made so far and look forward to continuing our efforts to promote gender equality in the manufacturing industry and beyond”, adds Deepa.
At Novoflex Industries, there is a solid commitment to providing equal opportunities to all employees, regardless of gender. The company’s senior leadership roles are held by women, including the Quality Check Post, the Sales Manager, the Head of Certification, and the Production Assistant. Novoflex Industries prioritizes listening to and understanding women’s concerns and challenges in the workplace and provides support and solutions to help overcome them. As the Director of Novoflex Industries, Deepa Banka takes a personal interest in ensuring that women are treated with empathy and compassion and that their concerns are addressed promptly. Her leadership and dedication have helped create an inclusive, supportive, and empowering work environment for all employees.
Manufacturing is a sector full of challenges; Deepa understands the importance of work-life balance and the gender bias that women often face, even during the so-called revolution. But despite the obstacles, Deepa’s passion for manufacturing continues to drive her forward. Her journey at Novoflex is full of creativity, hard work, perseverance, and a reminder that anyone can achieve their dreams with the right mindset and determination. Deepa Banka believes that women are more creative, passionate, and dedicated and that their skills can be utilized to take the manufacturing industry to new heights. Deepa has been an active member of many women-centric NGOs in her city and has discussed embracing equity with them. Women have come a long way from earlier times and are now leading and dominating many industries. However, the manufacturing industry still needs to catch up with this trend.
Sky is the Limit: Unleashing Women’s Creativity & Passion
“India’s President, Smt Deepika Murmu, is a source of inspiration for women nationwide. Her election serves as a reminder that women can achieve great heights in any field they pursue. It is a proud moment for our nation to have a woman hold the highest office in the land, and it is a clear sign that the tide is changing in favour of women in India. I hope that more and more women will be encouraged to pursue their dreams and take up leadership positions in all industries, including manufacturing”, shares Deepa Banka.
Deepa Banka acknowledges women’s progress in India. However, she notes that there is still a significant lack of women in the field of manufacturing, which may be due to the absence of adequate harassment and discrimination policies. To address this issue, she suggests creating flexible job opportunities, providing mentorship and special skill training, and setting targets to ensure more women are recruited in the industry.
At Novoflex Industries, the company has no quotas or set percentiles for recruiting women. Instead, they evaluate candidates based on their work experience and qualifications. Deepa Banka believes women are the most significant assets to any organization and should be treated respectfully and included in decision-making processes. She encourages women to pursue their passions in the manufacturing industry and make an impact by unleashing their creativity. Deepa Banka believes that by promoting gender equality, providing opportunities for women, and creating a safe and equitable work environment, companies can grow and succeed. Her leadership at Novoflex Industries and commitment to empowering women in the workplace serve as an inspiration to others in the industry.
“At Novoflex Industries, we believe in providing equal opportunities and creating a supportive and empowering work environment for all employees, regardless of gender. By doing so, we can create a more equitable and successful industry. I encourage women to pursue their passions and make an impact in manufacturing. I urge companies to prioritize diversity and inclusion in their recruitment and decision-making processes”, concluded Deepa Banka.
