She’s a gritty woman, a go getter who has set goals forherself.
At 33, Sharmila Nadkarni is a young entreprenuer who has setshop at Kundai Industrial Estate.
Originally a Goan, from the family of Kamats, Sharmila takesthe credit of being the first women who has pioneered into EPE foam rollsmanufacturing at Jeneeta Industries in Kundai in Goa.
“This is first such plant in Goa as various industries inthe State place orders for their PE foam rolls outside the state,” Sharmilasaid.
The trial production was commissioned from Dussehra andcommercial production from November 6.
“We produce 80-100 kg of EPE foam per hour which comes to 40rolls. The sizes vary from 0.85 mm to 100 mm and the width varies from 1000 mmto 1500 mm. The length is unlimited,” she said.
EPE foam rolls are used in packaging industries likeelectronic equipment, automobiles etc.
“The rolls are useful as shock absorbers for cushioning andcovering the delicate equipment and we will be the first to venture in thisfield in Goa,” the entrepreneurial lady informs.
These sheets are normally used in making bags and chatais,packing electronic items, motor parts, pharmaceutical products, glass andceramics and used in mattresses, seats and furniture cushions too.
“Our product replaces thermacol in packaging and gives acushioning effect to protect the items. These do not break when folded, aretotally recyclable and there is no waste or garbage created,” she claims.
A structural engineer by profession Sharmila knew exactlywhat she wanted to do when she purchased a plot at Kundai Industrial Estate twoyears ago.
“My plot had two access roads and laterite stone as thebase. I utilised maximum space while erecting the structure. But with thecommissioning of production, I will need another 1000 sq mts. I am gettingorders and I need to have more space,” she said.
She is hoping to build up direct clients in the state.
“I am personally approaching potential buyers from some ofthe key industries in Goa to explain what I intend to produce in Goa andconvince them to place orders with us,” she said.
Jeneeta Industries has a tie up with Reliance and HPCL(Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited) for providing the raw material.
“We started from scratch and had to submit numerousdocuments and get NOCs from various departments. We have also taken a loan toerect our plant. It took three months to get our plans approved,” Sharmilarecounts.
“Much time gets wasted in running from pillar to post. Ifall the necessary formalities are completed under one roof, new entrepreneurswould not be discouraged,” she adds.
Sharmila is happy that she took right decision in her earlythirties to quit her job at the MNC and be her own boss.
She plans to deliver lectures at Goa Engineering College anddreams of expansion in the near future.
