Precision is crucial in the manufacturing and service sectors; a slight miscalculation can lead to significant setbacks. This concept is mirrored in life’s journey, where the accuracy of decisions is often the difference between success and failure. Deepa Deshpande’s journey as the Director of Precise High Speed Spindle Service Centre is a reflection of this idea. Her story, shaped by her father’s guiding principles and supported by her husband’s steadfastness, illustrates the impact of precise choices in forging a successful path.
Founded in 1996, Precise High Speed Spindles Service Centre Private Limited, based in Kolhapur, has become a prominent importer and service provider for spindle components and accessories. With a commitment to delivering high-quality and high-performance products, they have built a reputation for excellence among their clientele.
The real charm of their story lies in the journey of Deepa Deshpande, the Director of the company. Her foray into the service sector that also in the precision sector as Machine Tools showcase her challenging mindset and surpassing the expected. From her school days, Deepa nurtured the ambition to chart her own course, veering away from the usual paths and establishing her unique mark in an industry not typically pursued by many.
Despite the scarcity of women in mechanical or production engineering three decades ago, Deepa Deshpande was determined to pursue this field. Deepa pursued her engineering at Karmaveer Bhaurao Patil College of Enginering and Polytechnic at Satara, Maharashtra. It was during her final year at college that she got the chance to work on repairing high frequency spindles. With her father’s connections, Deepa facilitated a partnership with Precise Germany, who wanted to establish a service station in India for their products.
In 1995, Deepa underwent intensive training in Germany for about one and a half months. Equipped with new skills, she played a key role in setting up the first service station in Dombivli, Thane, Maharashtra, marking the beginning of her successful career in spindle repair.
Deepa attributes much of her success to her father’s firm belief in her ability to pursue her own path. Recognizing the importance of precise work in their field, she emphasizes the significance of accuracy, where even the smallest mistake can have serious consequences. She highlights the complexities of spindle repair, where measurements are often taken in microns, requiring a level of precision. Deepa stresses the need for maintaining high standards in Spindle repairing, where any deviation requires careful disassembly and reassembly to meet exacting requirements. Reflecting on the challenges women face in male-dominated fields, Deepa shares insights on how to thrive in such environments.
In the early stages of her career, decisions were often made by her father P A Latkar, who was a Partner at Sip Tools, Dombivli, due to her young age and limited experience. However, as she gained expertise and partnered with her husband Manish Deshpande, the other Director of Precise High Speed Spindles Service Centre, they established clear roles to ensure autonomy and mutual respect.
Deepa oversees the service industry while her husband focuses on sales and marketing. Although they occasionally seek each other’s opinions, they maintain individual decision-making authority within their respective domains. Deepa emphasizes the importance of quality and authenticity in their work. They never compromise on using original parts, even as they expanded to work for group company FISCHER AG.
Despite representing multiple brands now, they undergo thorough training to meet the specific requirements of each manufacturer such as Precise, Fischer & Fortuna. Deepa recalls a recent challenge she faced when two crucial rotating components proved incompatible despite multiple attempts to assemble them. Instead of blaming their own processes, she carefully analysed the drawings and identified inconsistencies, leading to the decision to send the parts back for inspection. It turned out the parts were indeed incorrect, a rare blunder in their three-decade journey.
Deepa challenges the idea that biological differences determine skill sets, instead emphasising the importance of upbringing and exposure to diverse experiences. She learned a lot by observing her father’s business practices and believes in continuous learning and hands-on experience.
Looking ahead, Deepa sees opportunities for growth, especially with the ‘Make in India’ initiative bringing in new machinery, including spindles. She also wants to expand their spindle repair services. Moreover, she anticipates the establishment of Fischer India in the Indian market, recognizing the potential for growth.
Based in MIDC, Gokul Shirgaon, Kolhapur, Precise High-Speed Spindle Service Centre Pvt Ltd specializes in sales and service provision. They represent Precise GmbH, Germany, since 1979, and Fisher AG, Switzerland, since 2007. The company provides precision spindle systems for various industries like automotive, aerospace, medical, and electronics, offering repair and maintenance services for high-frequency spindles.