In the manufacturing industry, especially in India where opportunities for women are scarce, only a few women have risen to a level of pure admiration and inspiration. Shivjyothi Reddy, being one of them, has been working as a Design Manager at TaeguTec India for over fifteen years and her presence has brought about a watershed change in the working culture of the company. Her ideas and views on women in the manufacturing industry have not only transformed the workings of her company but have become a standard for facilitating women across the manufacturing landscape in and around India.
Originally from Andhra, Shivjyothi was born in Mumbai and has completed all her schooling at St Mira’s English Medium School in Pune. Being a Pune girl at heart, Shivjyothi had a keen interest in physics and excelled in numerical skills. After completing her further studies, Shivjyothi faced the challenge of choosing a course for her graduation. However, with mechanical engineering being the only available free seat at that time, she made the decision to pursue engineering. But the decision to continue mechanical engineering was a tough one for Shivjyothi as most of her friends advised her to switch to either computer or a software based field. But her love for mechanics and design made her resolute in pursuing the course.
In 2007, she successfully completed her engineering degree from Sant Gadge Baba College of Engineering in Bhusawal. Over time, her passion for the manufacturing field grew stronger. This led her to secure a commendable position at TaeguTec India, where she has been working for the past 15 years. TaeguTec is South Korea’s leading industrial cutting tool manufacturer, supplying innovative solutions and specialized industrial products worldwide. They also provide tungsten powders and solid carbide rolls, catering to the ever-evolving needs of the industry. As a design Manager, Shivjyoti oversees the development and implementation of innovative design strategies and solutions ensuring continuous improvement in design processes.
“I currently work as a design manager, and from day one, I have been actively involved in design while closely interacting with my manufacturing team in the manufacturing unit. I firmly believe that without visualizing and engaging with our manufacturing personnel, working in the manufacturing unit would lose its purpose. The interaction and communication I have with my team form the foundation for delivering quality outputs. Therefore, I personally visit the manufacturing floor, observe the processes, understand the machinery, and then incorporate those insights into my designs,” shares Shivjyothi on her experience in working on the shopfloor at TaeguTec India.
Learnings from Early Struggles
Having joined as a fresh graduate with limited knowledge of manufacturing units, Shivjyothi’s initial days at the company were filled with challenges. While she knew the theory part which she had learned during her engineering, putting that knowledge in use was one of the biggest obstacles in Shivjyothi’s early professional career. The sheer size of the machines and the intricacies of the actual tools required her brain to adapt and accept this newfound reality. But fortunately, she found herself surrounded by managers and teammates who supported her wherever she felt stuck. Through their guidance and practical experiences, Shivjyoti was able to understand and gradually transform herself into a proficient professional within the manufacturing industry.
Another challenge which Shivjyothi faced was balancing her work life with her personal one especially after the birth of her son. However, she was fortunate to have support from her family and a workplace culture that valued time management. At TaeguTec, work-life balance is given a lot of importance ensuring the clear separation of work and personal life. This enabled Shivjyothi to effectively manage her time, dedicating herself to her work while also cherishing quality family moments.
“I have had the opportunity to work with two other manufacturing units, one in Mumbai and another in Hyderabad. These units, like any other manufacturing setup, did present some challenges, including restroom facilities. During crucial seven-day periods, it was challenging to discreetly manage sanitary pads and ensure no visible stains while using the restroom. I personally experienced these phases and the struggles associated with them. However, I am pleased to observe that nowadays, manufacturing units have become more understanding and proactive in meeting the minimal requirements of female employees. They are making necessary changes and taking care of these concerns. It is no longer an isolated issue; the industry as a whole is moving towards acknowledging and addressing these basic requirements”, shares Shivjyothi.
Passion and Progress go hand-in-hand
According to Shivjyothi, everyone who wants to succeed in their chosen career path must have a passion for their core. Shivjyothi had a passion for mechanical engineering and that is the reason why it was comparatively easy for her to make her way to the top in the industry. She disagrees with the fact that women these days are shying away to enter the manufacturing sector. Contrary to popular belief, the industry has seen a significant increase in the number of women joining its ranks. Shivjyothi also shared the example of the recent IMTEX where she saw a substantial number of women leading the stalls with the same zeal and expertise as men do. And the whole credit to this enormous change in the industry can be credited to women-centric facilities and policies that have emerged in India since the last two decades.
Being on the shopfloor for so many years now, Shivjyothi believes that the key lies in facilitating women where she can manage both, her working life and her family. And companies need to understand this especially in the Indian scenario. Today in these times, even women are looking for a stable job and then they are not at all hesitating to work on the machine lines. Shivjyothi also mentions that those days are gone when we used to see women only in the supporting role in the industry. Women today are enthusiastic about machines, they are enrolling themselves in the mechanical field out of all the other streams that means they are already committed towards the shopfloor. She also rejects the ongoing notion that women are being stopped from working on the machines due to their physical inabilities. Drawing from her own 15-year experience in the industry, she asserts that the decision to work on machines boils down to personal interest rather than external barriers.
“I have personally witnessed and interacted with numerous women who have pursued careers in mechanical engineering and worked alongside me in the industry. I have seen female colleagues during intakes, friends who studied with me, and even some of my relatives who have excelled in mechanical work. In my experience, anyone, regardless of gender, who expressed a desire to work with machines was given an opportunity. For instance, there are women working in the quality department who handle instruments and operate machines proficiently. While they may not be directly involved with large-scale machinery, their expertise in handling smaller instruments is commendable”, concludes Shivjyothi when asked about women and their eagerness to work on the shopfloor.
Shivjyothi is a prime example of what a woman or any individual can achieve once they start following their passion. Yes, there will always be challenges in the way but by sheer willingness to excel in their chosen field one can make them do wonders not just by succeeding individually but by becoming an example for many others who dream and take inspiration from them. Lastly, Shivjyothi’s story reminds us that with passion, perseverance, and a supportive environment, anyone can overcome obstacles and achieve greatness, inspiring a new generation of manufacturing enthusiasts along the way.
