Mahalakshmy Kamalakanan, Senior Manager of Purchase and Stores at Elmeasure, an industry leader in smart and sustainable energy management, is a shining example of what incredible milestones women can achieve when they break the shackles of societal stereotypes. As a Pondicherry based mechanical engineer, Mahalakshmy always wanted to become an independent woman since her childhood. Her learnings about the manufacturing industry comes from various companies which she joined since her graduation and now she finally has found her rightful place at Elmeasure where she is leaving her indelible mark in the manufacturing industry.
Having spent her entire childhood in Pondicherry, Mahalakshmy never really went outside the union territory to experience what other places had to offer. She completed her schooling from Kendra Vidyalaya where she excelled with flying colors making her one of the brightest students in the school. After completing her twelfth from the same school, she then completed her engineering from Pondicherry Engineering College, renowned as one of the top ten universities in southern India. With just 14 girls in the mechanical department, Mahalakshmy attended labs and workshops equally with the boys in her batch. She completed her degree in 2002 and was also honored with the Best Project Performer award.
After completing her engineering she got a job in Appasamy Ocular Devices where she worked for a few months. She had to make a switch to Fastest Private Company where she really started enjoying her work as it was her field of interest. As a fresh graduate, she had very little exposure to the industry and a lot of learning to do. But recognising her talent and her willingness to learn new things, the owner of the company really supported her a lot. He taught her professionalism and helped her understand the realities of starting a career. After one year of that job, she got married.
Professional life after marriage was not that easy. Mahalakshmy had to take a temporary break from her career and she wasn’t ready to accept this. She constantly tried to look for job opportunities where she can balance her married life and her professional life. Soon after giving birth to her first child, she began her journey again at Bharat Electronics Limited. She worked there for some time before joining various other companies like BPL, MNM Equipments, and Centum Electronics in the electronics manufacturing sector. Presently, she is working for Elmeasure where she works as an Assistant Manager.
“I didn’t know what to do after my marriage, but I didn’t want to sit idle. I found an opportunity, but unfortunately, I couldn’t continue due to becoming pregnant. I felt disappointed, thinking that my breakthrough in life would be halted and my desires would remain unfulfilled. My father always wanted me to be an independent woman and that always inspired me. So I made daily preparations and had a breakthrough when I realized I could do something without compromising my responsibilities as a mother”, said Mahalakshmy.
Learnings through experience in the industry
Mahalakshmy joined Elmeasure in 2018 and ever since then she has been working in the purchase department. Although her department is different, she works very closely with the shop floor activities. Being a mechanical engineer herself, she has a keen interest in the manufacturing process. She also has to collaborate with other departments, such as marketing, customer service, and logistics, to ensure smooth sales operations. This involves coordinating product deliveries, handling customer complaints or inquiries, and addressing any issues that may arise during the sales process.
Working on the shop floor at Elmeasure has presented a unique experience for Mahalakshmy. Mahalakshmy values professionalism and grace, and emphasizes the importance of maintaining a harmonious atmosphere, even in the face of clashes between the purchase and production departments. Given that both departments play vital roles in coordinating operations, conflicts and opposition arise. However, Elmeasure places a strong emphasis on maintaining a friendly and collaborative environment. This allows Mahalakshmy and her colleagues to engage with shop floor personnel without causing disruptions, enabling them to work together seamlessly towards their common goals.
“As a supply chain professional, I have female employees working with me in stores. I believe in allocating work based on capabilities rather than gender and ensure that both men and women are given suitable tasks. At Elmeasure, we have many women employees working on the shop floor, including in stores and production. It’s great to see the presence of women in these roles. Challenges may arise, but better planning helps ensure a smooth flow of materials to the production shop floor. This way, both men and women can work their designated hours, have ample time for their families, and maintain a work-life balance”, adds Mahalakshmy.
No one can multitask like women do
One challenge Mahalakshmy faced in her career was maintaining a work-life balance. Initially, she struggled with this, but over time, she realized the importance of balancing work and family. Mahalakshmy became more meticulous in her work and prioritized her responsibilities. By managing her time effectively and being organized, she was able to overcome this challenge and find a better balance between work and personal life.
“And I ensured that at the end of the day, I completed everything I needed to and then left for the day, spending a good amount of time with my family too. Over time, as I started growing, I developed myself and learned to overcome this challenge”, shares Mahalakshmy when asked about the work-life balance as a working woman.
Mahalakshmy believes in supporting women in the industry as a community. She is a staunch advocate for developing the right infrastructure and providing the necessary support to help women overcome these challenges. Her message to aspiring women who want to enter the manufacturing sector is that they can overcome these obstacles with the support of management and entrepreneurs. Women should be given equal opportunities and treated on par with men, a practice already in place at Elmeasure.
Empower women than making changes in the industry
“The traditional thinking that the manufacturing sector is male-dominated, I believe that each woman needs to equip herself and stand on her own. We should focus on empowering women rather than just making changes. There are many talented women who can outperform their counterparts in other sectors”, shares Mahalakshmy.
Mahalakshmy firmly believes that the leaders of companies should actively strive to bring more women into the manufacturing sector. She emphasizes the importance of promoting equality and ensuring that women are treated well within the community. It is not just about making superficial changes but about empowering women on an individual level but each woman should take the initiative to equip herself with the necessary skills and stand independently in the industry.
She also acknowledges that there may still be societal barriers to overcome, but she remains optimistic about the abilities of women to excel in the manufacturing sector. She sees it as an opportunity for each and every woman to showcase her skills, capabilities, and make a meaningful difference.
“I believe that all the men who support us are equally capable of helping us succeed. I am confident that we will witness a significant increase in the number of women entering the manufacturing sector in the near future because the trend is changing. It is no longer like the older days when there were fewer opportunities for women. We are now experiencing a positive shift, and more women are stepping forward and making significant contributions in the industry”, concluded Mahalakshmy.