Adversity can have varied outcomes – it could break you down or motivate you to succeed. What truly matters is how one responds to it. Mr. Hriday Nath Bhat’s road to success was paved along an uphill journey. This article highlights the inspiring tale of the Founder of Gabril Industries, a Pune-based company that produces high-precision components for various sectors.
Mr. Hriday Nath Bhat was born and raised in the serene city of Srinagar. He earned his degree in Mechanical Engineering from Regional Engineering College, Srinagar, which is now known as the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar. He began his career with a government job in Kashmir. In 1971, he joined the Government of India’s collaboration with Japan’s Citizen Watch Company to establish HMT’s watch manufacturing plant in Bangalore. Through a rigorous two- year training program, he mastered precision manufacturing and watch assembly, which became the foundation of his expertise.
He was well known for his precision and attention to detail. Whether it was designing complex miniaturised machinery or troubleshooting issues on the shop floor, Mr. Bhat approached every task with a level of dedication that impressed his peers and superiors alike.
However, as he rapidly ascended the ranks within the company, he had to face challenges too — the envy of his colleagues. Many were threatened by his success, particularly those who had been with the company for years but had not achieved the same level of recognition.
A particular instance that stood out was “when I created a pioneering component that considerably increased the efficiency of a key machine”, he recounts. While his superiors were thrilled with the breakthrough, a few envious colleagues attempted to undermine his efforts by spreading rumours and creating hurdles in his line of work. But Mr. Bhat let his skills and work ethic speak for themselves. He continued to develop and improve processes, gaining the respect of those who recognised the significance of his achievements.
When HMT set up a manufacturing unit in Srinagar, Mr. Bhat was thrilled to be transferred back to the place he called home. “At the Srinagar unit, I played a key role in the company’s assembly, quality control, inspection, production, and development,” he said.
Establishing the First Manufacturing Unit in Srinagar
In 1986, the Government of India started allocating industry units to professionals. To deal with the overhead costs, it was guided by a policy that required the distribution of resources among three levels of staff — senior management, middle management, and lower staff. This policy attempted to ensure that opportunities were shared evenly throughout different levels of an organisation.
Armed with exceptional precision manufacturing skills, Mr. Bhat seized this opportunity to
begin his entrepreneurship journey. “With a clear vision and a wealth of knowledge, I established my manufacturing unit near Srinagar. The manufacturing unit operated on a closed-loop system; while HMT provided the raw materials, my unit manufactured high-quality final components,” he informed.
Mr. Bhat set up the ‘Special Head Machine’ with high performance and high output for large-batch production. His attention to detail and thorough understanding of precision products made this enterprise successful and established his company as a dependable partner in Indian manufacturing.
The Trials and Tribulations
In 1990, when Kashmiri Pandits were forcibly exiled from their homes, Mr. Bhat’s life was upended. He was forced to abandon Srinagar with his family and settle in a makeshift refugee camp in Jammu. “The upheaval in Kashmir hampered my projects, impacted my family life, and intensified my stress. These factors prodded me to seek opportunities in the public sector, where I believed my skills could have a large influence and offer the stability I was looking for,” he said.
At that time, the government was aggressively looking for qualified engineers to oversee key infrastructure projects in the region. Mr. Bhat’s reputation as a highly skilled and dependable engineer had expanded beyond his immediate circle, reaching key decision-makers in the government. His track record of delivering new solutions and his ability to oversee complicated technical projects made him an ideal candidate. He was offered roles at reputed companies but he declined them.
Meanwhile, Mr. Bhat relocated his machinery to Jammu, where he continued to supply components to HMT, despite the company’s declining fortunes.
Seeking to start afresh, in 2000, Mr. Bhat relocated his family and business to Pune. Here, he forged a partnership with a local businessman. However, in 2007, his business partner absconded with his machines and moved to Gujarat. “I sought legal action against him, but the process was only proving to be time-consuming,” said Mr. Bhat. This betrayal did not dampen his spirit. Contrarily, his tenacity and desire to succeed only increased. “Rather than wasting time and energy on the legalities, I chose to focus on starting a new venture,” he added.
A New Chapter: Gabril Industries
Mr. Bhat’s life took a crucial turn in 2008, when he set up Gabril Industries in Pune. This new venture, which began with only two machines, flourished under his guidance and the assistance of his daughter, Ms. Kanchan Bhat. Together, they built the company into a shining example of excellence. Known for its high-precision components, Gabril Industries, with a workforce of more than 60 workers, currently manufactures over 2 million parts per month for some of the nation’s biggest automakers. Trained under Mr. Bhat’s leadership, many senior staff have been with the company for almost a decade.
Industries the Company Caters to
The company is widely recognised in the automotive industry for manufacturing crucial components with high precision. Their comprehensive inventory comprises both essential 2-wheeler parts and complex 4 wheeler engine components. Their manufacturing facility can produce varied parts, such as switches, sensors, brake system components, and steering components — all designed to improve vehicle safety and performance.
Gabril Industries upholds the highest tolerance and durability standards in the aerospace and defence industry. The company specialises in producing components from advanced materials, including titanium and aluminium alloys, with utmost precision. Its emphasis on developing lightweight yet durable parts provides dependability and safety in crucial environments, where performance is paramount.
The company also caters to the medical and instrumentation sectors. It supplies high-precision components, which are critical for ensuring the operation and safety of medical devices and measuring systems, to these sectors. With expertise in precision and miniaturised components, Gabril Industries
has marked its presence in micromechanics and electronics too! It can handle the difficulties incurred while manufacturing these small, crucial components and respond to the changing demands of these modern sectors.
Furthermore, the company has a strong presence in watchmaking, producing parts for both conventional timepieces and modern smartwatches, with a focus on precision and high standards.
Gabril Industries’ success in these industries demonstrates the company’s true dedication and relentlessness to precision, quality, and innovation.
Built on Resilience and Excellence
Mr. Bhat’s path reveals his resilience, determination, and tireless dedication to his craft and machining expertise. Despite severe hardships, such as relocation from a state he called home for several years and betrayal by a business partner, his commitment to machining never faded.
Gabril Industries today stands as a testament to his dedication, embracing the values of integrity and excellence that he established in all aspects of the company. His legacy includes not just the precision components manufactured by the company, but also the principles and talents he instilled in his staff, leaving an everlasting impression on the precision manufacturing industry and the lives of those he mentored.
“Embrace the challenges, be resilient, and stay adaptable. Take calculated risks, and learn from the setbacks rather than fearing them. Remember, persistence is key. Above all, stay passionate about your vision and maintain integrity and a sense of purpose. These are essential to ensuring long-term success,” concluded Mr. Hriday Nath Bhat, Founder, Gabril Industries.
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