Could you tell us when you joined TAKRAF Group, explain in a few sentences what your role is, your responsibilities and give us some of your experience?
Bharathi: With backgrounds ranging from mechanical to structural to electrical and instrumentation, the women engineers have been with TAKRAF Group for quite some time, many of them for more than 15 years. We are proud to be a part of TAKRAF India's success story and have held positions of responsibility for complex projects. In a key leadership role as General Manager, I was responsible for delivering challenging engineering and technical information within the tight project timelines. My team involved in the design and engineering of cement plant machinery has been instrumental in the phenomenal success of this sector. Standardization and continuous improvement have resulted in maximizing efficiency and minimizing errors in deliverables. TAKRAF India's significant market share in this segment is a testament to long-term.
What has been your personal highlight at TAKRAF Group and perhaps also outside of work?
Indira: Recently I would say the 12 machines (5 TAKRAF Stackers and 7 TAKRAF Scraper Reclaimers) for a large cement company. The delivery schedule of the machines required us to complete the engineering for all the 12 machines in just 4 months. As the team leader, I would like to express my appreciation for the tremendous efforts made by the team in meeting this challenge. The planning for this type of activity started a long time ago. Streamlining the design process, driving meaningful innovation and standardization resulted in a 15-20% improvement in operational efficiency.
What do you enjoy the most about what you do at TAKRAF Group?
Sathya: What we enjoy most about working at TAKRAF India is the freedom we have in the workplace to think and explore our ideas to solve complex engineering challenges while contributing to projects. We find it rewarding to be part of a collaborative and innovative environment where every day brings new technical tasks to tackle and solutions to develop.
Hema: The variety of projects ensures that no two days are the same, and we love the mix of creativity and precision required to design equipment that meets the high demands of industrial applications.
Why is mining or engineering a stimulating sector for women to enter?
Jeevitha: In our current roles, we face interesting challenges that require diverse perspectives and strong collaboration. Mining and bulk materials handling engineering offers exciting opportunities for women, as the field is constantly evolving and focused on solving real-world problems.
Dhanalakshmi: In addition, the industry is becoming more inclusive, with an emphasis on diversity and providing opportunities for everyone to thrive and grow professionally.
If you had to give one piece of advice to a young person on how to enter and succeed in the world of work, and in the mining sector in particular, what would it be?
Bharathi: One piece of advice we would give to a young person entering the world of work, particularly in the mining sector, is to cultivate adaptability and a growth mindset. If you're constantly upgrading your skills, seeking out mentors and proactively learning from your experiences, you'll not only thrive, but stand out in these dynamic industries.
Which woman would you like to sit down to dinner with and why?
Sathya: If I could have dinner with any woman, it would be Sudha Murthy. She is an inspiring blend of intelligence, humility and compassion. An accomplished engineer, author and philanthropist, she has broken many barriers, especially in the field of engineering, where she was one of the first women to enter.
Velammal: I am in awe of Mrs. Roshni Nadar Malhotra. Roshni Nadar Malhotra is an Indian businesswoman, philanthropist and chairperson of HCL Technologies. She is one of the first women to head a publicly traded IT company in India.
Thulasi: It would be great to have dinner with Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, an outstanding Indian entrepreneur in the field of life sciences.
Innovation out of tradition – It pays to talk to a specialist!