Did you hear about ‘The Story of Thermocol’? Ramdas Mane, popularly known as the ‘Thermocol Man of India’ is creating one of its kind world’s largest thermocol museum in Dahiwadi, Maharashtra. The entrepreneurial journey however started with making control panels for EPS machines. He delivered six panels in just six months on his very first business order and there was no looking back, since then!
Humble Beginning:
After completing his schooling at local schools in Satara, Ramdas Mane aspired to pursue further education but lacked the financial means. “I used to work on farms, and I didn’t like the summer heat. That’s why I wanted a peon job in the government school—it had electricity and a fan,” shares Ramdas. Following his SSC, he approached Janardhan Lohar for a peon job, but Lohar advised him to train as a wireman instead, foreseeing the electrification of their village. “He told me that soon the whole village would have electricity, and a wireman course could prove beneficial. I still remember the day we got electricity for the first time—the entire village was fascinated!” Ramdas recalls.
Ramdas then enrolled in wireman training at Satara Industrial Training Institute, gaining admission easily. The institute was far from his village, and he had no money or place to stay. Initially, he stayed at the state transport bus stand near the college. “Later, I learned that Mr. Shetty, who owned the canteen at the bus stand, was looking for a helper. I got hired and started staying there,” he shares. “I worked from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. and then attended college in the morning.” With 80 percent marks, he completed the course in two years and was selected for an interview with Mahindra & Mahindra in Pune in 1978. “I had no money to travel to Pune, so I asked my grandmother for Rs 20. She gave it to me, and I was able to reach Pune and get the job,” says Ramdas.
He began a wireman apprenticeship at Mahindra & Mahindra for Rs 100 per month, sharing a small living space with another man. Many of his days were spent living under a water tank, as he had no proper shelter. Today, Ramdas lives in a 2,000 sq. ft. fully equipped house. He continued to work for Mahindra for seven years while simultaneously pursuing an evening course from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IME).
In 1984, Ramdas got married and moved to Pune’s Chakrapani Vasahat, where he bought a 2,000 sq. ft. plot for Rs 30,000. A year later, he took up a job with Finolex Pipe Pvt Ltd as a maintenance engineer. In 1993, his talent and hard work earned him a promotion and an offer to work as Deputy General Manager at a salary of Rs 35,000. However, he soon resigned to start his own business. Despite an opportunity to work for Bajaj Electrical as General Manager, which had a three-month waiting period, Ramdas decided to use the time to start his own venture.
Building an Empire:
The Mane Group is a reflection of Ramdas Mane’s vision, bringing together five companies focused on innovation and helping society. At the heart of the group is Mane Electrical, which began its journey when one company asked him to make control panels for their EPS machine, and he delivered six panels in just six months. After this successful attempt, he received more contracts, leading to a thriving business. Madras Beard Shell approached him to build two control panels for Rs 70,000 and eventually awarded him the contract for the entire EPS plant. He expanded his operations to Hyderabad and Bangalore, charging Rs 3 lakh per plant.
Ramdas registered Mane Electricals as a proprietorship firm, took a Rs 5 lakh loan to purchase land in Bhosri MIDC, hired six people, and set up an office. Due to exceptional services, he soon secured several contracts, including his first international client, a Saudi Arabian company called Kurz, which awarded him a $600,000 deal. “We were thrilled with such a huge deal. We built a new office and plant to fulfill the order,” says Ramdas.
Today, Mane Electricals serves clients in 45 countries, including Kenya, Dubai, Ghana, Libya, Yemen, Sudan, Sri Lanka, and Saudi Arabia. He has completed over 350 EPS projects for these clients and holds a Limca record for making the world’s largest EPS machine.
One Mission: Self Reliant & Inclusive India
During childhood, Ramdas witnessed his villagers facing sanitation problem including ladies facing serious threat to health. This impacted him deeply. As a result, Mane group makes ready-made toilets from recycled thermocol, solving important sanitation problems in rural areas. More than 80,000 toilets have been distributed across 27 states, with some given for free to underprivileged girls, showing the group’s care for society. Beyond these efforts, the Mane Group has expanded into other industries that support sustainability and innovation, all while promoting Ramdas Mane’s dream of a self-reliant and growing India.
Thermocol Museum: A World-First Vision
Among Mane’s most ambitious projects is the creation of the world’s first Thermocol Museum, located in Dahiwadi, Maharashtra. This unique museum, named “Story of Thermocol”, will showcase the evolution, manufacturing process, and applications of EPS (thermocol), known globally by various names such as Styrofoam in Germany and Regifoam in Sri Lanka.
The museum aims to inspire students and entrepreneurs alike by providing a detailed narrative of thermocol’s role in insulation, packaging, and cold and heat applications. Designed to be a hub of education, the museum will offer free access to all visitors, including accommodation for 200 students, complete with hot water, meals, and other facilities. Mane envisions this as a source of inspiration for young minds to pursue innovation and entrepreneurship.
The Pillars of Success: Determination and Jigar
Ramdas Mane’s journey has been far from easy, filled with challenges that tested his determination at every step. Looking back, he says that the biggest hurdle for new entrepreneurs is managing finances. Starting with very limited resources, he took a ₹25 lakh loan from the Bank of Maharashtra to begin his business. Despite the financial struggles, Mane turned every challenge into an opportunity. Over time, he repaid more than ₹150 crore to the same bank, showcasing his strong business skills and winning the trust of financial institutions. His story is a clear example of how determination and smart planning can help overcome even the toughest problems.
Mane’s advice to young entrepreneurs comes from his own experiences: “You need Jigar—courage and determination—to succeed.” For him, success doesn’t come from taking shortcuts but from staying persistent, strong, and true to your vision. His journey inspires everyone who dreams big, showing that challenges are not barriers but opportunities to grow.
