Pooja Netalkar, COO of Netalkar Power Transmission is an inspiration to many, a successful entrepreneur who believes in creating more job opportunities, especially for women, and contributing to the growth of the country. Building on her family’s entrepreneurial legacy, Pooja also founded Gayatri Creation Projects, a company that has collaborated with PolyVision, a European-based company for pan India, marketing and installation of Prefabricated, Ceramic Steel, Architectural Panels with a focus on sustainability and quality.
Pooja Netalkar’s father, Satish Digambar Netalkar, founded Netalkar Power Transmission, while her grandfather Late Digambar Netalkar established Netalkar Engineering Works in 1965. Inspired by her family’s entrepreneurial spirit, apart from being the COO of Netalkar Power Transmission, Pooja founded Gayatri Creation Projects. Through Gayatri Creation Projects, Pooja looks forward to manufacturing Ceramic Steel Panels in India in the near future.
Netalkar Power Transmission is a company that primarily manufactures automotive components such as crankshafts, the “heart of engines”, and also various Casting Components. The company started with basic conventional machines and then began to innovate, which Pooja Netalkar believes is why customers like Mahindra have remained loyal to them for over 40 years. Netalkar Power Transmission’s commitment to innovation and quality is evident in its long-standing partnerships and reputation for excellence in the automotive industry.
Fostering Values of Equity, Independence & Interest in Manufacturing
Pooja Netalkar, a middle child with an elder sister and a younger brother, was raised with values of equity and equality. Her mother instilled in her a sense of independence from a young age, emphasizing that women should not settle for a mediocre life and should strive to stand on their own. Growing up in a business family, Pooja had the opportunity to visit the shop floor and developed a natural interest in manufacturing. In 2012, she graduated as a Mechanical Engineer from the Gogte Institute of Technology, Belgaum, Karnataka – INDIA.
Pooja was the only female student in a classroom of approximately 180 male peers. Of course, being the only female student in class there were certain teething issues before getting acquainted and adjusting to a classroom culture full of male students. During a class demonstration, Pooja assisted in utilizing the knowledge gained from her experience working on the shop floor in her family company and used the same during her College Labs.
Pooja decided to pursue mechanical engineering due to her fascination with machines. During vacations, her father would take her to the industry, where Pooja would admire the intricate workings of the machines. She pursued mechanical engineering out of genuine interest and a preference for the real world over the virtual world. Her goal was to help her father in the family business, and she believed that the knowledge of manufacturing would be essential for this endeavour. Her family wanted her to study further and pursue MBA, which she felt will help her “to technically manage her future.” After completing her MBA at Coventry University London Campus, London – United Kingdom, she set her sights on starting her own firm. Pooja aspired to take her business global and founded Gayatri Creation Projects to achieve this vision.
Manufacturing: The Lifeblood of India’s Economy
After obtaining her MBA in 2014, Pooja Netalkar recognized that the markets in the USA and Europe were saturated, while the BRICS countries, including India, presented a promising future. With this insight, she focused on the Make in India initiative to create more job opportunities in the manufacturing sector. Despite knowing that manufacturing jobs pay less than IT jobs, Pooja understood that they are more stable during a recession. Having been associated with the manufacturing sector for years, Pooja noticed that there is a lack of women’s participation in the manufacturing sector, with women being hesitant to work on the shop floor. However, one day, on her way to work, Pooja witnessed road construction work in progress. A woman with a slim body frame was hammering the TMT bars required for laying the road foundation, in full stride while, the man was holding the TMT bars over a large piece of stone in order to straighten the bars. This incident brought to Pooja’s attention that women’s participation in the heavy work sector is not uncommon in India. She realised it was time to put in sincere efforts to employ more women on the shop floor.
Netalkar Power Transmission is committed to promoting the participation of women in manufacturing, having entrusted women in departments such as Quality and Maintenance in addition to the usual participation of women in human resource and administration works. Though the percentage of women in the organisation stands at just about 5% currently, Pooja is exploring more avenues to incorporate women on the shop floor and trying to strike a balance with working three shifts. Her goal is to create more job opportunities for women in the manufacturing sector, sending a powerful message to future generations in India. Pooja believes that it is everyone’s responsibility to contribute to the country that sowed and nurtured them to become who they are today.
Pooja’s story teaches us that by having a forward-thinking mindset and a deep understanding of market trends, we can achieve great success and make a positive impact on society. In today’s world, where the job market is highly competitive and constantly evolving, it is essential to have a progressive mindset to succeed. Pooja Netalkar, a successful entrepreneur, is a shining example of someone who has a sharp eye for market trends and an insight into the changing dynamics of the job market.
