Anjali Deodhar Apte is an entrepreneur whose vision led to the founding of Megacraft Enterprises Private Limited, a company that has set a remarkable example by employing a workforce comprised entirely of women. Located in Pune, Megacraft Enterprises distinguishes through its innovative manufacturing of wire wound potentiometers and contactless rotary hall sensors. This ISO 9001-2015 certified company stands as a symbol of female empowerment, in the traditionally male-dominated field of manufacturing, with its entire production, assembly testing, programming, sales, and marketing teams staffed by women.
Anjali Deodhar Apte’s journey began in Pune, where she excelled in her studies at Fergusson College before achieving distinction in Mechanical Engineering from the iconic College of Engineering, Pune (COEP) in 1984. Her path from an ambitious student to an innovative entrepreneur was greatly inspired by her uncle, Late P S Deodar, a luminary in the Indian electronics industry and an advisor to the late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. With roots in the AppLab Group in Thane, where her uncle’s ventures laid the groundwork, Anjali ventured into manufacturing with the establishment of her first unit in Bhosari. Starting with a committed team of five women, this small endeavor quickly caught the eye of international collaborators, setting the stage for what would become a global business journey.
The Early Advantage: Indo-German Collaborations
The journey of MegaCraft began in 1996, thanks to a partnership formed between Peter Vizenetz from MegAuto, part of the Megatron Group from Germany and Mr Deodar of AppLab. This partnership brought a significant opportunity to Anjali and her team by moving a wire wound potentiometer manufacturing plant from Germany to Bhosari, Pune. This move was strategic, taking advantage of India’s cost-effective labour, contrasting with China’s market. “When we started with a small team of five women in a small unit in Bhosari, the challenges were numerous, but so were the opportunities. It was an importnat moment for us,” reflects Anjali. This collaboration with MegAuto was the catalyst for MegaCraft’s growth, steering it towards becoming a frontrunner in sensor technology and automation.
From that moment in 1996, MegaCraft began producing potentiometers primarily for the European market under a 100% buyback agreement. All parts manufactured by MegaCraft were directly purchased and then sold within Europe. “Since then, our focus has been on catering to the European market, ensuring that every part we produce meets their standards and requirements,” Anjali explains, highlighting their business’s export-oriented nature and commitment to quality and reliability. Anjali initiated MegaCraft with a distinct vision, focusing on manufacturing potentiometers with a team that was unusual for the industry: it was entirely composed of women.
“We began with five assemblers, all women, and to this day, our workforce remains 100% women-oriented, though we have grown to 10 people now at MegaCraft. It’s not a large organisation, but it’s impactful,” Anjali reflects on the company’s growth and commitment to empowering women in the manufacturing sector. MegaCraft’s operations extend beyond a single unit. “We also operate an associate organization named Sendap Precision Electronics Private Limited, where we handle winding and molding, along with marketing activities,” Anjali adds. This was born out of necessity when MegaCraft was established as a 100% Export Oriented Unit (EOU), which limited the transfer of materials between units due to regulatory constraints. “Our units are located across the road from each other, and to manage the material transfer effectively, we had to start Sendap Precision Electronics. This strategic decision allowed us to streamline our operations and ensure a seamless process from one unit to the other,” shares Anjali Apte.
All Women Club at MegaCraft
The decision to employ an all-women team at MegaCraft wasn’t planned but evolved from the nature of the work required. “Our work involves very intricate assemblies that require patience and meticulous attention, often under a microscope. It’s delicate and demands a high level of dedication,” Anjali explains. Initially, the team comprised women with basic education, who were then trained on the job. “We started with ladies who were 10th or 12th pass, offering them training to handle these detailed tasks. What we observed was their incredible dedication and ability to focus on repetitive tasks for extended periods, which was crucial for our precision work,” she reflects.
This approach led to unexpected but welcome results. “Surprisingly, most of the women we first hired are still with us, showcasing their loyalty and growth alongside the company. As we expanded our product range to include electronics, we began hiring women engineers specialized in electronics and mechanical fields to handle roles in quality control among other responsibilities,” Anjali adds, highlighting the diverse skills now present within her team.
The evolution of MegaCraft’s workforce has led to a well-rounded team that not only includes assemblers but also engineers who oversee quality control, marketing, accounts, and various other aspects of the business. “Giving women these opportunities turned out to be a chance to showcase their capabilities beyond traditional roles. Now, it feels like a comfort zone for everyone involved,” Anjali muses. This initiative has not only challenged the traditional male-dominated mindset in manufacturing but also proven that women can excel in this sector with the right opportunities and training.
Changing Times: Women in Manufacturing
Reflecting on her college days, Anjali Deodhar Apte recalls a time when being a female mechanical engineering student was a rarity. “Back in my day, during my mechanical engineering course at COEP, we were only three girls in the entire batch,” Anjali reminisces. This scarcity of women in engineering wasn’t just academic; it extended into the practical aspects of the field, like summer trainings. Anjali shares an anecdote from her time at Bharat Forge, where her presence as a female intern was unexpected. “They were surprised to see a girl for the training, and rather than allowing me on the shop floor, I was assigned to the stores department,” she says. Even the opportunity to witness the foundry came only after she requested it on her final day.
Campus interviews were another area where gender bias was evident. Anjali recalls how prominent companies like Telco and Bajaj explicitly stated that women need not apply, forcing her and her female peers to walk out. “It was a clear message back then; manufacturing and engineering were not seen as fields for women,” she notes. However, Anjali observes a significant shift in the current landscape. “Today, the scenario has completely transformed. In mechanical engineering classes now, you see almost 50% or sometimes even more female students,” she points out. This change is not just academic but has also permeated the manufacturing sector, where women’s participation is increasingly welcomed.
“During my training in Germany, I saw women operating heavy machinery, driving trucks, and even in China, women were commonly seen driving taxis late at night,” she adds. This global perspective highlights a broader acceptance and inclusion of women in roles traditionally dominated by men. The drastic change Anjali witnessed over the years, both in India and internationally, signals a more inclusive and diverse future for women in engineering and manufacturing. “It’s encouraging to see how much has changed since my time as a student, and it gives me hope for the future generations of women engineers,” Anjali shares with optimism.
Anjali Apte observes significant changes in the perception and roles of women in various sectors, reflecting a broader societal shift toward inclusivity. “It’s already begun,” she notes, pointing out the increasing presence of women in roles traditionally dominated by men, such as metro drivers, defense pilots, and even bus drivers. She highlights that often women have stepped into these roles due to circumstances but have proven to be diligent and safer in their duties. This transformation is not limited to public services; in manufacturing, too, women’s participation is evolving. Anjali believes that women’s inherent ability to manage multiple tasks and their meticulous attention to detail make them invaluable in manufacturing environments, particularly in jobs that require precision and patience.
Moreover, Anjali emphasizes the importance of nurturing human skills and the motivational aspects of work, which are critical in manufacturing and other sectors. She points out that despite the digital transformation, there will always be a need for analog components in certain applications, presenting opportunities for companies like MegaCraft. The firm stays abreast of new technologies and maintains close relationships with IC manufacturers and machine manufacturers to ensure their products meet the latest standards and requirements. This approach not only keeps MegaCraft competitive but also ensures that their team is continuously learning and adapting to new developments in the field.
If not Medicine, Then it’s Engineering!
Anjali Apte’s journey into the world of manufacturing stemmed from a desire to forge a path distinctly different from the medical profession that dominated her family background. With relatives deeply entrenched in the medical field, Anjali found herself averse to the very idea of hospitals and everything associated with them. “The sight of blood and the notion of injections filled me with dread,” Anjali recalls. This aversion led her away from medicine and towards engineering—a field that, at the time, seemed to offer a starkly different career trajectory.
Engineering, specifically mechanical engineering, became her chosen path, not out of a deliberate selection but rather through the merits of her academic achievements. “I didn’t really choose mechanical engineering; it chose me based on my entrance exam scores,” she explains. This serendipitous alignment with mechanical engineering turned out to be a perfect match for Anjali’s innate curiosity and penchant for hands-on work. She found joy and fulfillment in the practical aspects of her studies, from carpentry to metal forging, reveling in the tactile and tangible elements of mechanical engineering.
Post-graduation, Anjali’s exploratory spirit led her to a small company that designed paint shop equipment. This experience was invaluable, offering her a comprehensive look at the industry from design to client interactions and costing. “It was here that I really got to wear multiple hats and learn the ropes of running a business,” she shares. The entrepreneurial itch soon became impossible to ignore, and with a friend, Anjali embarked on her first venture—a solar cooker project. Despite the project’s eventual shift away from market readiness due to regulatory challenges, this endeavor solidified her resolve to start her own business.
Her uncle, recognizing Anjali’s ambition and potential, presented her with an opportunity that would become the foundation of MegaCraft: taking over a struggling unit that was part of the AppLab Group in Pune. This unit, which specialized in switches for AppLab, marked the beginning of Anjali’s manufacturing journey. “It was a leap of faith, but with determination and a bit of luck, we managed to not only revive the unit but also expand our operations,” Anjali reflects. The collaboration with the German company MegAuto transformed MegaCraft, introducing a joint venture that expanded the company’s product range and market reach. “Working with the Germans taught us the importance of quality, discipline, and efficient time management,” Anjali states, underscoring the value of international collaboration.
German Way of Dedication & Quality Control
In the early days of MegaCraft’s partnership with the German company, the journey was not without its challenges. Anjali recalls how initially, the Germans were hesitant to trust the new team with the complex parts of manufacturing. “They started us off with simpler assemblies, sending us pre-made windings from France, doubting our capacity to handle the intricate winding process that’s crucial for the potentiometers,” Anjali explains. This skepticism was a hurdle, but one that MegaCraft was determined to overcome.
A turning point came when a discrepancy in the diameter of the windings sent from France caused a fitting issue with the housings. “That was when we decided to take matters into our own hands. We dusted off our idle winding machines and started producing our windings,” Anjali states proudly. This move not only resolved the immediate problem but also proved MegaCraft’s capability to their German partners, gradually building trust. The Germans had taken precautions, maintaining a year’s worth of manufactured parts as backup, reflecting their meticulous approach to quality and risk management. “They put our products through continuous life testing on their machines, not releasing anything to the customers until they were completely assured of the quality,” she notes, highlighting the Germans’ uncompromising standards for perfection.
This meticulousness, though initially a source of challenge, taught MegaCraft the value of unwavering commitment to quality. “It showed us the depth of the German dedication to perfection and quality control, something that has since become a cornerstone of how we operate,” Anjali reflects. Despite the initial struggles, the experience was instrumental in shaping MegaCraft’s approach to manufacturing, emphasizing that quality and precision are paramount.
Stay Focussed & Confident: Anjali Apte
Anjali Deodhar Apte offers inspiring advice to the youth and women aspiring to carve their niches in their respective fields. “Stay focused and confident,” she urges, emphasizing that with determination, there are no limits to what one can achieve. Anjali believes the modern world offers myriad opportunities for those ready to explore and excel in their passions. Her message is clear: find what you excel at, pursue it with unwavering focus and confidence, and there will be nothing to stop you from achieving your goals.
Anjali has ambitious plans for MegaCraft’s future, aiming to expand its global reach significantly. “Our goal is to appoint at least 30 distributors worldwide,” she shares, highlighting a strategic approach to broadening MegaCraft’s market presence. The product range, now more or less finalized, encompasses two distinct groups: one featuring goods produced by MegaCraft and another consisting of products manufactured by partners according to MegaCraft’s specifications, yet private-labeled by the company. This diversification strategy is designed to cater to a wide range of customer needs while maintaining the quality and innovation MegaCraft is known for. This ambitious outlook shows MegaCraft’s commitment to excellence and its aspiration to be a leading name in the world of industrial sensors and automation solutions.