Ajit John
Herald: How would you characterize your journey from the time you started your business?
Avinash Misquita: We started the manufacturing unit in 1998 and moved into to our present location at Nachinola which is not located in one of the industrial zones. This was because the cost of land in the business zones was prohibitive and the people who had land were selling it for crores which was something we could not afford. We manufacture bearing housings which is essentially the heart of the washing machine; it is the place where the beam and the shaft go. We are the sole suppliers for IFB washing machines in the state.
H: Given that you are a first generation entrepreneur, why business?
AM: I was born in Qatar and we were financially stable. I completed my Engineering from the Goa Engineering College and worked in two companies based in Goa. One of which was IFB which was then located in Corlim. I then left them and started this small manufacturing unit. We manufacture like I said earlier a component which is at the very heart of the washing machine.
H: How many of these bearing housings do you manufacture?
AM: We manufacture 4 lakh of the bearing housing for IFB. We receive the order everyday. We log on to a website with a password provided by the company everyday in the morning and we then manufacture the quantity during the course of the day. There are times when we have had to work through the night to complete the order.
H: What are the challenges you face as the sole supplier for a major company?
AM: Well, as the sole supplier we have to deliver come what may. If we don’t supply the component within the allocated time then 25,000 or 30,000 odd washing machines will be stuck on the production line. We have never let down our client and this has manifested in us being awarded the platinum award for best supplier in 2014-15. We won the silver award in 2013-14.
H: What are your plans to grow the business?
AM: We are in the midst of negotiations with Crompton Greaves who want us to supply end shield covers. Tests are being conducted and it should work out. We will have to supply a lakh pieces a month. We are in the process of vendor registration. I had received enquiries from other big players in the white goods industry but turned them down because they wanted me to set up base either in Pune or Chennai which I was not interested in doing so. I want to be manufacturing a million components per annum which will include IFB and Crompton Greaves.
H: How easy or difficult is it to get staff?
AM: We have staff from all over the country. Ideally I would like to have an all Goan staff but it is not possible. With office staff yes it is easier to have Goans but on the shop floor it is just not possible. It is about the attitude. The Goan worker will want to leave at 5 o’clock and will not wait even if your offer him overtime whereas the worker from other states will ask you if overtime is available. In my business, I want people who are willing to stay overtime and who of course will be paid.
