Manufacturing has no end, it’s a continuously evolving industry, every time a product is developed, the next product development is about to start. With endless operations and grease smelling air, manufacturing is generally perceived as tedious and fit for men. Reni Pandya of Dak Systems prefers to look at manufacturing differently, as there is a much larger spectrum to it. Exploring her heartfelt connection with manufacturing rather than her default connection through business family background.
Instead of making manufacturing look dull with only grease, assembly lines, heavy machinery, and conveyor belts, it should be presented in a more expansive form & light to attract more women, more conveniently. While many women strive to make their mark in the male-centric manufacturing sector in a managerial role or as a first-generation entrepreneur, some face the challenge of different scales as second-generation entrepreneurs. Coming from a business family background, they are expected to meet certain expectations and at the same time prove their individuality, along with means to scale up than just sustain the business.
Reni Pandya succeeded in both quite comprehensively due to her perspective to look at things differently. “Instead of making manufacturing look dull with only grease, assembly lines, heavy machinery, and conveyor belts, it should be presented in a more expansive form & positive light to attract more women, more conveniently,” remarks Reni Pandya, Executive Director, Dak Systems Inc.
“In the case of the family-owned business, either you follow your precedents or go ahead with your risk-taking appetite. So, one should realize that there is a need to scale the business with risks accompanied by market research and experiments,” she explains.
Taking Challenge Head-On
Back in the year 2008, after graduating in Biotechnology from Mithibai College and completing PG in Family Managed Business from SP Jain Institute of Management & Research, Reni started her second-generation entrepreneurial journey at Dak Systems Inc, founded by her father Mr. Rajan Pandya in 1982. Currently serving as the Executive Director at Dak System Inc, She plays leadership in diverse roles of Customer Relations, Sales, Marketing, PR, and HR.
Dak System Inc is one of the leading manufacturers of material testing machines for testing medical implants, cardiac stents, rubber, plastic, metal, wire, textile, foam, aluminium, copper, surgicals, etc. The company serves more than 45 industries such as Defence, Medical Implants & Surgical, Sports & Adventure, Safety Harness, Packaging & Adhesives, Automobile, Aerospace, Textiles, Constructions, etc.
“In my journey of 14 years I think every entrepreneur not just a woman comes across various kinds of situations rather than challenges I would say, which requires an innovative as well as an open mind to face them and come up with the best possible solutions at that point in time. Then whether it’s looked upon as a hurdle or a challenge or an opportunity to grow personally and professionally becomes entirely an individual’s choice.”
“When I joined Dak System, I was one of the few women in the key roles at the ownership level. Just like other women entrepreneurs, I faced challenges but they made me think more creatively and innovatively. I think challenges have made me what I am today,” narrates Reni on her initial journey.
Practices More Effective Than Policies
“Once the people in the organization start to see each other as an individual, rather than a man or a woman, it will foster a better ecosystem for women working in the organization. Also, the timely recognition for performance will nullify the small egoistic clashes within the organization.”
If something is to be brought, they are the practices that can be the major resources for their growth such as hygiene at all levels and maternity policies.
“The policies should not consider women weak. They should be based on safety parameters. In a nutshell, they should be framed in such a way that along with assuring a company’s position in the market, they are also assuring women’s position in the organization,” Reni added on the policies and regulations regarding women empowerment.
Mentioning the women-centric steps Reni proudly said, “We have special medical allowances for our women workforce. With this, I have seen a sharp change in their attitude and dedication towards the organization. Even during the lockdown, they showed sheer grit and continued to work with us from home.”
Confidence to Overcome Gender Bias
Many organizations prefer men for travelling, inspection, and remote testing roles due to safety. “Some roles are good for men, while in some roles like in sales, women do fairly better than men, due to the inherent tendency of bagging the best deal. Both need to be considered in a balanced way,” she remarks. Citing her own instance she says, “Since I started my journey from the base of the Pyramid of my organization, I was always in touch with the issues or with the concerns that began right from my door till the customer’s door.”
“What I have learned from my experience is that if women are up with the right knowledge and confidence, people definitely accept their pitch, rather than the old school method of ignoring them on the basis of their gender. So, gender bias is not a big hindrance for women in manufacturing,” Reni said.
Unambiguous Policy Support
The government is now recognizing women not just for adding the colours to the frame but as a genuine part of the industrial ecosystem. The incorporation of legal rights and recognition on many personal and professional levels are definitely supporting women in many ways.
However, she expects the government to reduce as much ambiguity in the law as possible, making things crystal clear with defined and marked processes. “I want to see education of our rights and implementation of it in the most honest way possible. It’s a long journey, but if not from today then from when?” she utters.
Need for Carving a Niche for Themselves
“Women can be heard by others if they can hear themselves. And, their dignity cannot be compromised. We need to induce more power in the manufacturing segment and the scope to empower ‘womanufacturing’ in true aspects,” Reni said.
She feels that women should respect their own talent and time and not let any notion or outward forces sabotage them. “Eventually people will only treat you, how you treat yourself.”
As a ‘Womanufacturer,’ it was my connection with the products which inspired me to explore shop floors regardless of what people thought about me and my gender. I think once it is clear for women ‘what to do’ and ‘why to do’, there isn’t much needed to draw them to the shop floor,” she concluded.
