This is another story of the saying, ‘Where there is a will, there is a way”. In a community where education for girls was scarce, Manjusha Jagtap’s family stood as support pillars, determined to give her the opportunities they never had. Manjusha, not a trained mechanical engineer nor a business degree holder, learned everything to create her dream ‘Kohinoor’, which is unequal.
Located in the industrial heart of Bhosari, Pune, Kohinoor Industries is known for its precision and innovation in the tool room manufacturing sector. Established in 2014, under the astute leadership of Manjusha Jagtap, this company has carved a niche for itself by offering bespoke manufacturing solutions that cater to a wide spectrum of industries. With a distinguished clientele including heavyweights like Tata, Godrej, L&T ECC, and Adani Green Energies, the company has proven its mettle in delivering products that meet the highest standards of quality and innovation. Under Manjusha Jagtap’s guidance, Kohinoor Industries continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in tool room manufacturing, inspiring a new generation of women to explore and excel in this traditionally male-dominated field.
The Family Who Broke The Barriers!
Manjusha Jagtap’s story begins in a humble village in the Usmanabad District of Maharashtra, where studying until the seventh standard is a milestone for girls’ education. In a place where sending girls to the city for further education was unheard of, Manjusha’s family dared to dream differently. They made an important decision that would forever alter the course of her life. Despite the prevailing norms, her father, mother, and brothers united in the belief that Manjusha deserved the same opportunities as any boy in the village. With their unwavering support, Manjusha stepped beyond the village’s borders to pursue higher education in the town, a bold move that broke through the barriers set by tradition.
Manjusha’s journey of academic excellence began with her matriculation from the town school, leading to her diploma with distinction in electronics and telecommunication, setting the stage for her future endeavours. However, the road ahead was fraught with challenges, as her family faced a medical emergency during her diploma in electronic and telecommunication. Yet, undeterred by adversity, Manjusha persevered, earning accolades for her academic excellence.
Following her diploma’s success, Manjusha soon realised that it was merely the beginning of her educational journey. But her thirst for knowledge knew no bounds, and she continued her academic journey, enrolling in a bachelor’s program in Computer Science and Engineering. She chose to stay in Latur for her studies and faced the formidable challenge of adapting to a more demanding academic environment. Coming from a small town, Manjusha grappled with the complexity of engineering studies and language barriers that made her path even more difficult.
Despite these hurdles, Manjusha’s resilience shone through. She understood that these challenges were just obstacles to be overcome on her way to success. With sheer determination and hard work, Manjusha tackled each problem head-on, dedicating herself fully to her studies. Her efforts paid off remarkably as she achieved distinction throughout her four years in Computer Science and Engineering. Her academic achievements opened doors to a promising career, and Manjusha embarked on a new chapter as a lecturer in computer science and engineering. Balancing her professional commitments with her personal life, she found solace in her marriage to Paresh Jagtap, an entrepreneur from Pune, whose support and encouragement bolstered her ambitions.
For eight years, Manjusha dedicated herself to shaping young minds as a professor. Simultaneously, she began to play a crucial role in her husband’s business. Her contributions went beyond mere support; she became actively involved in creating quotations and understanding customer parameters, among other tasks. Yet, amidst the daily hustle and bustle, a yearning for something more began to stir within her—a desire to chart her own course, to pursue her dreams with unwavering determination.
Feeling a pull towards her own ambitions and realizing she sought more from her professional life, Manjusha decided to embark on a new venture into design and manufacturing. In 2014, with a clear vision of achieving ‘precision to perfection,’ she founded Kohinoor Industries. However, stepping into this new role presented a significant challenge for Manjusha: a lack of technical expertise in manufacturing. Rather than viewing this as a barrier, she saw it as an opportunity to grow and learn.
Embracing this new challenge head-on, Manjusha dedicated herself to understanding the intricacies of the manufacturing process. Her hard work, combined with her team’s dedication, quickly bore fruit. In the second year itself, the company won a prestigious award from Godrej Tooling, which Manjusha attributes to her team’s hard work and dedication. Reflecting on her journey, she acknowledges that this is just the beginning – a stepping stone towards greater success and accomplishment. Manjusha started her business with just one machine and five employees. From those humble beginnings, she grew Kohinoor Industries significantly. Now, her team has expanded to a hundred people, and the initial investment of 50 lakh has surged to an impressive five crore.
Entering Unknown Territory: Building State-of-the-Art Tool Room
Kohinoor Industries operates as a cutting-edge tool room, specialising in the manufacturing of dies for die casting and molds for plastic molding. They collaborate closely with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) like Mahindra and Mahindra, L&T, Endurance, Bajaj, and Godrej Tooling, which marks them as a Tier one supplier. Notably, they have also had the opportunity to contribute to the aerospace industry. Starting from manufacturing parts for die casting, Kohinoor Industries is now setting its sights on expanding its capabilities to produce complete dies, aiming to elevate their contributions to a more significant level in the industry.
Manjusha Jagtap found inspiration in the vast opportunities present within the manufacturing sector. Coming from a background where her husband was already established in the business, she noticed a significant gap—the absence of women in manufacturing. This realisation fueled her desire to venture into this field, driven by the potential for growth, innovation, and the application of advanced technologies like 3D printing, smart factories, and automation. For Manjusha, manufacturing was not merely a job but a passion, a chance to contribute meaningfully to the economy and challenge the status quo. “If you see an opportunity in something, stop just looking at it and make it happen,” she reflects on her journey into manufacturing. Despite encountering barriers and challenges, her family and friends’ support, including her husband’s encouragement, reinforced her belief that walking a new path doesn’t have to be a solitary journey.
Bridging the Gender Gap in Manufacturing: Addressing Awareness and Safety
Manjusha Jagtap highlights the key barriers deterring women’s entry into manufacturing, pinpointing unawareness and safety concerns as primary obstacles. She reminisces about her own educational journey, noting a significant moment in 2004 when her interest in mechanical engineering was overshadowed by societal norms that questioned women’s involvement in such fields. “It’s about raising awareness,” she asserts, emphasizing the need to educate women about the vast opportunities that manufacturing offers, beyond traditional perceptions and gender roles.
Safety within manufacturing environments is another critical issue that Manjusha addresses. Ensuring a secure workplace is essential to encourage more women to consider careers in this sector. However, she believes that these challenges are surmountable. “Changing functions is not the only necessity; changing mindsets is crucial,” she states, advocating for a shift in attitudes at all levels, from grassroots education to professional environments.
Creating awareness about the potential for women in manufacturing and addressing pay scale disparities are steps towards building a more inclusive sector. Manjusha’s vision extends to initiating positive changes that encourage women to explore and thrive in manufacturing roles. “This needs to happen from the ground up,” Manjusha calls for a collective effort to empower women and make manufacturing an attractive and feasible career choice for them.
Empowering Young Women: Take the Leap and Trust Your Instincts
Manjusha Jagtap believes that ‘Where there is a will, there is a way”. Her message to young women is one of empowerment and resilience. She extends an encouraging message to young women, urging them not to shy away from taking risks. “The ability to adapt and manage new challenges is inherent in you,” she emphasizes, drawing parallels between embarking on education, entering a new family through marriage, and starting a business venture. “These transitions prove that you are naturally equipped to face and overcome hurdles.”
Manjusha believes that now is the perfect time for young women to pursue their dreams. “The world awaits your unique contributions,” she states, advocating for self-belief and continuous learning. She states the importance of being passionate about one’s goals, understanding the market, leveraging financial schemes and resources, and building a supportive team. “Identify opportunities, seize them, and let them guide you towards your aspirations,” Manjusha advises, highlighting the endless possibilities that await those willing to venture into uncharted territories with confidence and determination.
Manjusha’s advice resonates deeply with aspiring entrepreneurs, regardless of gender. Her emphasis on education, self-belief, and seizing opportunities reflects the universal principles of entrepreneurial success. By sharing her wisdom and insights, she empowers a new generation of leaders to chart their own paths, overcome obstacles, and make their mark on the world. The challenges Manjusha faced when starting Kohinoor Industries were manifold. As a woman entrepreneur entering an industry dominated by men, she encountered skepticism, prejudice, and limited access to resources. The lack of female role models and societal expectations further compounded her obstacles. However, Manjusha’s resilience and determination propelled her forward, enabling her to overcome these challenges through effective communication, strategic planning, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
Tackling the Challenges of Manufacturing as a Woman Entrepreneur
Manjusha’s journey into the manufacturing sector is marked by the multitude of challenges she faced as a woman entrepreneur in a male-dominated field. “Entering manufacturing presented a unique set of hurdles, from societal skepticism to technical gaps,” Manjusha reflects. Despite the lack of female role models and the pervasive belief that manufacturing was not suited for women, she remained undeterred. Her determination was fueled by the desire to carve out her space and prove that women could excel in any field, including manufacturing.
The initial challenges were daunting, ranging from significant capital investments in manpower, machinery, and materials to navigating the complexities of market analysis to identify and retain quality customers. “Establishing a business is just the beginning; maintaining quality is crucial for sustaining good customer relationships,” she notes. Building a skilled team emerged as another critical task, emphasizing the importance of hiring and training individuals capable of upholding the company’s standards.
Manjusha’s strategy for overcoming these challenges involved a multifaceted approach centered around effective communication, innovation, and technology adoption. She engaged in open dialogues with her team to identify and address operational challenges, collaborated with financial institutions to explore financing options, and worked closely with customers to ensure their needs were met. Embracing advanced technology, such as 3D printing, IoT, and robotics, became a cornerstone of her strategy to scale the business and enhance production efficiency.
“Adopting industry 4.0 concepts and integrating digital technology in our quality control processes allowed us to demonstrate our manufacturing prowess and commitment to excellence,” Manjusha explains. This innovative approach not only helped in streamlining operations but also in distinguishing her business in a competitive market.
Advancing Technologies: Science, Engineering & Manufacturing
Manjusha emphasizes the seamless integration of science, engineering, and manufacturing in today’s technological landscape. “Mechanical engineering and science aren’t separate entities but are interconnected,” Manjusha states, highlighting the evolution of manufacturing with the advent of additive manufacturing, digital technology, IoT, and augmented reality. This convergence has led to the creation of embedded systems, blending hardware and software to enhance manufacturing processes. “The lines between traditional manufacturing and modern engineering disciplines are blurring, leading to innovative solutions,” she notes. This integration not only expands the scope of manufacturing but also opens up new avenues for creativity and efficiency in the industry.
Manjusha’s perspective sheds light on the boundless potential within the manufacturing sector, driven by technological advancements. She advocates for a broader understanding of manufacturing, not just as a field of physical production but as a dynamic environment ripe for innovation and growth. Through this lens, the manufacturing industry becomes a vibrant space where science and engineering coalesce, paving the way for a new era of manufacturing excellence.
Vision for Growth: Charting Kohinoor Industries’ Future
Manjusha at the helm of Kohinoor Industries, has set ambitious goals for her company, aiming to position it among India’s top tool rooms and niche manufacturers. Her vision extends beyond just growth in numbers; it encompasses a strategy for exponential advancement with targets to escalate the company’s revenue from 10 to 20 crores over the next five years. This growth is not just about scaling up but also about enhancing profitability through strategic planning and the integration of new technologies.
Manjusha plans to expand her team and infrastructure to support this growth, focusing on collaboration with India’s leading automobile industries. By adopting cutting-edge technology and fostering innovation within her team, she is determined to make Kohinoor Industries a name synonymous with quality and excellence in the manufacturing sector. Her forward-thinking approach and dedication to continuous improvement illustrate a clear roadmap for Kohinoor Industries’ future. Manjusha’s leadership not only aims at financial growth but also at elevating the company’s stature and operational capabilities, ensuring that Kohinoor becomes a cornerstone of the Indian manufacturing landscape.
