Mr Manoj Mehta
June 30, 2019
Here’s an account of a man who claimed his father’s legacy and went on to accomplish a larger than life green dream, aiding the cause of sustainability in the manufacturing sector. CEO, MTC Businesses Pvt. Ltd., Mr Manoj Mehta gets candid with Stainless Post as he reflects upon his journey that led him to establish a premier business group dedicated to recycling and raw material supply for the Indian manufacturing industry.
Take Us Back To The Beginning Of Your Journey.
My family’s roots are from a small village in Rajasthan called Sanderao, however we had migrated to Mumbai in the late 70’s. Back then my father had lost a bangle-making factory in Firozabad, UP and had started dealing in scrap in Barshi in the Solapur district of Maharashtra. As a child, I dreamt of being a cricketer. Sunil Gavaskar has been my favourite ever since. However, destiny had other plans for me. I completed my graduation in Commerce from Mumbai University in 1991. With my father’s persistence and the hard work put in by my brothers, what started as a mere scrap dealing business went on to take the shape of Mehta Trading Corporation (MTC) in 1974. After my graduation, it was time for me to take up the baton from my father and join the family business with my brothers. I took on the challenge and moved to Bangalore for a couple of years to set up our office. Later on, we diversified our product line which was originally limited to trading cast iron and mild steel scrap. As of today, MTC Group is a four-decade old business group with domestic and international business operations in scrap, ferro-alloys, and base metals, along with automobiles dealerships and more. The group also plays an important role in providing raw materials to the metal recycling industry in India and the world.
What Are The Noteworthy Milestones Of Your Business?
Our journey of the past four decades has been full of challenges. But, today I can proudly say that we have grown manifold and are currently a USD 1.3 billion turnover group company. In the last 15 years, we have diversified into various product lines, from being a basic scrap recycling company to trading and commencing manufacturing activities for base metals, minor metals, noble alloys, etc. as well. We have also successfully installed forward and backward integration in our processes with steel plants producing TMT bars and setting up of a power plant, respectively. Also, we have recently added another product line of Copper tubes with a manufacturing plant based at Umbergaon, Gujarat. Today, we are the market leaders in our space and the largest professionally managed metal recyclers in India. With a customer base of over 1100, we have nine business verticals within the group.
What Are The Notable Changes And Trends Prevailing In Your Line Of Business? How Do You See Your Profession Panning Out In The Future?
There have been numerous challenges in the supply chain management, majorly due to the speedy digitalization which has taken the world by a storm. The future too is going to be tremendously exciting with an unpredictable range of possible digital innovations in the supplier chain. Customer satisfaction continues to be our priority and we plan to adapt with the ever-changing market scenario to make sure we deliver the best, in the best way possible. Also, metal scrap recycling is a highly scattered and unorganized market in India. For years, we have been advocating for an ‘Industry status’ for the recycling sector with support from trade associations like Material Recycling Association of India (MRAI). MRAI has played a significant role in aiding the Government with industry inputs for the proposed ELV (End-of-Life Vehicle) Policy. The recycling industry will be a key player in the successful implementation of ELV policy.
When And How Did Your Journey With Jindal Stainless Begin? In Your Entire Gamut Of Customers, What Sets Jindal Stainless Apart?
Our journey with Jindal Stainless began in 2010 and since then we have been a regular supplier of shredded scrap, HMS scrap, PNS scrap, etc. for the company. With time we added to our supplies other products like base metals of Nickel, pure Nickel cathodes, Ferro-Nickel, and various bulks and noble alloys. We have strived hard to ensure a responsible and an efficient supply to Jindal Stainless. We hope to further our mutual trust and to be one of the key stakeholders for Jindal Stainless.
Jindal Stainless aces with its volume of business, its transparent management, and consistency in quality and service. The company is one of the largest stainless steel manufacturers and suppliers in the world which motivates us to meet requirements of various raw materials from their world-class manufacturing plants. We are motivated to forge a friendly and mutually beneficial relationship with the group.
What Is Your Message To Young Managers Out There?
I feel discipline, determination, and dedication are the three key mantras for success. All young champions need to have the right attitude, an approach to adapt with changing times, and a sense of responsibility in order to excel in a fast-paced dynamic working environment. Being tech-savvy is essential to make the best of this high-profile market, as technology is changing at a breakneck speed.
