Facing the challenge of developing a lightweight and cost-effective vehicle design, Tejal discovered the potential in 3D printing technology for the manufacturing industry.
If necessity is the mother of invention, identifying that necessity for others is the first step towards a brilliant entrepreneurship idea. Tejal Phulare's entrepreneurship journey started with showing this sign of brilliance when she faced a challenge during one Engineering competition.
Technology is the Future
It was a time when 3D printing was still at its nascent stage. Tejal realised the potential in the field and established her entrepreneurship venture Tej Precision Technologies. Envisioning this technology as the future, Tejal Phulare rode on her entrepreneurial venture Tej Precision Technologies which is a fast-growing company, offering cost-effective and lightweight 3D printed parts for various industries.
“I believe women have inherent qualities of keen observation and creativity which are very helpful for the proper implementation of ideas within the least time and cost. This allows women entrepreneurs to be able to achieve any target in any field in the manufacturing sector,” Tejal Phulare, Director, TEJ Precision Technologies, comments.
Specialising in 3D printing, TEJ Precision Technologies today offers an array of Tool Holding & Work Holding Devices for automobile industries like – Motorcycle, Cars, Trucks & Agriculture Equipment like Trackers, Rotavetars, earthmovers like JCB & also for electrical motors & Pump Industries. They use the advanced Markforged 3D Printer for their manufacturing process, offering an edge over its peers.
3D Printing for National Competition
Tejal completed her BE in Mechanical Engineering in 2018. She also holds an MBA from Cummins College of Engineering for Women, Pune in 'Operation & Supply Chain Management in Major & Human Resource' in 2021. During the Engineering course, she got the 2nd prize in Cost Presentation at the ATV Manufacturing National Competition and proved her talent nationally.
She adds, “While designing a vehicle for the competition, the biggest challenge was manufacturing the vehicle with the same strength and cost as steel and aluminium but keeping its weight light as well. To overcome this problem, we took the help of 3D printing. However, in 2015, 3D printing was still in its infancy, and someone specializing in the technology was hard to find.”
Tejal's father was the Head of Special Product Design & Global Marketing in Birla Precision Technologies Limited. “I discussed the problems with my father, and he also suggested manufacturing the parts through 3D Printing as he had seen during his overseas visits in countries like Germany, US as well as in the EMO – Hannover exhibition,” she added.
But 3D printing facility was available only in a handful of places such as aeronautical companies like HAL Bangalore, where they had a limitation in subcontracting for students. “This was the moment when I decided that 3D printing is the future and has sufficient opportunities for starting a new business. I decided to make it my goal and develop my career in that field.”
Setting the course during Pandemic
Tejal and her team were quick to utilize the time during the Lockdown to study various types of 3D printing/ additive manufacturing. “From this study, we concluded that there are a lot of opportunities in additive manufacturing through providing cost-effective and quality products and effective on-time delivery services”.
“We use a special composite base material for our products – the Onyx, OnyxFR and Onyx ESD as they are lightweight and are sufficiently strong as well. “These are reinforced with continuous fibre like fibreglass, carbon fibre, etc. which enhances the strength of the product with minimum cost and replaces aluminium material and steel to some extent,” Tejal explains.
Inspired by Parents
Talking about inspirations, Tejal added, “I follow my parents who were General Manager & Plant Head of Birla Precision. I am also fascinated by Leela Punawala because she is the 1st girl in Mechanical Engineering. Mohini Kelkar – Director of Business Development, Grind master and Indra Nooyi – Indian American Business Executive & CEO of Pepsi Co are my other sources of inspiration.”
Tejal agrees that the current government policies are very much supportive of women's empowerment. Schemes like – Bharatiya Mahila Bank Business Loan, Mudra Yojana Scheme, Udyogini Scheme and Pradhan Mantri Rojgar Yojana contribute towards promoting women's participation in the manufacturing industry.
“The main problem with the government schemes is not regarding availability but the inconsistency in timely support. It is very difficult in the existing system to get the benefits on time and when we need them,” Tejal said.
Stay Determined on your Goal
“It’s true that women are often dominated in the engineering field as many see it as a male-dominant sector. But I feel that we, as women, should be confident in our decisions and have a variety of mentors- men and women both. We should try to step out of our comfort zone and achieve things which we have never done before.”
Tejal feels that in almost all the sectors, be it medical, aerospace, engineering, finance, or defence, women are shedding stereotypes and coming forward to chase their own goals and ambitions.
“I hope that soon we will be able to create a work environment where women and men are treated equally and women entrepreneurs are taken normally. Everyone can achieve their goals if they persevere through the challenges and put in the hard work and stay determined on their goal,” she sums up.
