ajit@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: The evolution of a business is an interesting exercise. Some manage to cross that bridge successfully while others falter and sometimes even disappear from the landscape. These exercises may be dictated by evolving market realities or sometimes a change in leadership. This could mean new stake holders either through market acquisition or the entry of the second or third generation of entrepreneurs. This is a trend visible all over the country and is also visible in Goa. Manguirish Kunde has initiated similar change in a group that started off in the automobile spare parts decades earlier but is now focused on retailing Suzuki bikes and Polaris off road vehicles. For the young man this is a logical move forward as he combines his love for automobiles with an urge to make his mark in the business world.
Kunde says “We have various other businesses like construction, automobile spare parts dealerships, hospitality but I wanted to do something I could call my own. The Suzuki dealership at Nuvem was a manifestation of that desire. The off road vehicle, Polaris is another such manifestation.”
The Suzuki outlets which are based around the state sell approximately 200-250 bikes a month. Not one to rest on his laurels he is currently negotiation with another two wheeler brand to represent them in the state. He refused to provide more information explaining that he would be signing the papers very soon and all would be revealed then. Asked why he had not moved up the value chain and represented an automobile brand he said that Goa was a very small state and could not afford to have two dealers of the same brand unless they were Maruti.
Like many businessman operating in the state there are problems. Asked what they were, he said it was the amount of licensing and liasioning that was required that was frustrating. He said “I have a shop and establishments licence but for my bike dealership I have to also take a factory and boilers licence. Why is that necessary I have no idea. I hope there is some rationalising that takes place”.
Asked what his ambition was for the next two years years he said it was to touch Rs 100 crore in revenue from the Rs 60-70 odd crore it was presently at. The company also plans to set up a logistics hub in Margao on the their property which was located next to the railway station. This would depend on the Regional plan. Asked what his vision was for the state he said it would be important that there be industrialisation but not of the heavy rampant kind that could change the unique culture of the state.
