Jugaad Runs In Our Blood

Knowing the mighty bounds of Visaka Industries, which has an array of sustainable products and a turnover of Rs.1,127 crores in 2008, when Vamsi Gaddam stepped in the family business, he knew he had to fill some big shoes. He took that as a challenge and within a decade, he revolutionised the organisation. This Hyderabad based entrepreneur loves to live in the moment and hopes to bring in a green revolution. In a conversation with Corporate Citizen, Vamsi, Joint Managing Director, Visaka Industries Limited, Innovator of ATUM and Founder of Atumobile, opens his heart about his vision, his journey so far and more

"Change at times can be a slow process. It does not happen overnight. A lot of work goes into transforming the perception of people. Change is happening and a lot of people are turning to greener ways"

- Vamsi Gaddam

Corporate Citizen: They say that the place where you are born plays a great role in shaping your career. Walk us through your feelings of how your hometown has moulded you into what you are today.

Vamsi Gaddam: Hyderabad, my birthplace, is one of the most wonderful cities in the world. Be its heritage, the IT hub or the modern living, this place has grown leaps and bounds. As a child, I felt the urge to explore and experience various cultures of the world. That is why I moved to Singapore and then to the USA for my higher studies. No matter how many places I visited, for travelling or learning purpose, I always felt a connection to my hometown. For me, Hyderabad is love, a place of growth, learning and opportunities. The flow of energy I experience in Hyderabad motivates me to achieve and aim for higher.

CC: You are a third generation entrepreneur, and when you started you had some big shoes to fill in. Born with a silver spoon is a passe saying because it is a mammoth task to achieve success when the bar is set up so high. Do you agree?

I indeed had to fill some big shoes when I started, but again, I believe that every individual has a goal and purpose of their own. No one shares a common objective, however, the ultimate intention is the same, which is to foresee the growth of the organisation. When your purpose is strong, one should not be bogged down by expectations. Having said that, I believe that one truly needs to understand their purpose in life and find their passion be it at work or personal to bring the best output.

CC: From starting your career as a management trainee to currently serving Visaka Industries as its Joint Managing Director you have come a long way. Walk us through your learnings and what had been the most rewarding part of your role?

For me, the opportunity to create and innovate something beautiful and worthwhile, out of what I was handed, has been the most rewarding part. And the icing on the cake is when your work is appreciated, and your products are well received. Every task requires an efficient team to support and develop an idea from scratch to reality. The most underrated yet the most important aspect of any initiative is the team that we need to build. To find the right and talented team is the most challenging part, and incidentally, that entity is one of the main sources that will help you reach the target. We are proud that Visaka has a great culture and team that has guided the organisation on the path of success.

One of my visions, when I started in 2008, was to enter the realms of international waters. Since then, I have been a part of several products, which are well known globally. Having seen both sides of the industry, I think innovation plays a greater role and we could get better than where we are today. Entrepreneurs need to understand the market before making their move. I think we Indians are hustlers and jugaad (a flexible approach to solving a problem) runs in our blood. It is the way of life for us. I honestly believe that we need to add value by addressing the demand (products or services). And by doing so, things can get easily on track. With the technology available at our fingertips, achieving all this can be easy.

"Having seen both sides of the industry, I think innovation plays a greater role and we could get better than where we are today. Entrepreneurs need to understand the market before making their move"

CC: What inspired Visaka to venture on the road of sustainability? Tell us about Visaka’s sustainable products that have revamped our country.

Set up in 1981 by my grandfather, G Venkat Swamy and my father, G Vivekanand, Visaka Industries has always been true to its vision of being credible, passionate and an innovative solution providing company. Sustainable living is the future and for that, we must start preparing from today itself. This idea was deep rooted in my conscience for long. And to develop products that contribute to making the world more sustainable has always been our motto. This is the reason why Visaka Industries Limited has diversified into multiple fields and continues to innovate and develop new and more sustainable products. Our suite of sustainable or eco friendly products includes Wonder Yarn, Vnext Fibre Cement Boards and ATUM, the world’s first integrated solar roof. Later, Visaka entered the textile industry in 1992.

Over the next decade, Visaka’s Murata twin air jet devices produced textile yarns that integrated the material used in PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles to create a sustainable fabric. This has since kept 100 million PET bottles from being dumped in landfills. Over the years, Visaka’s Wonder Yarn has been and continues to be exported to over 15 countries, across the Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and African regions.

In the year 2008, Visaka created a brand that comprised of a range of sustainable building products Vnext. The main products under Vnext are Vboards, Vplanks, Vpanels, and Vpremium. The brand has installed over 710 million square feet of the product until now. The year 2018 saw the launch of VNext Infill, a revolutionary load bearing wall solution made of steel that is engineered to improve construction speed and utility. ATUM, launched in 2018, was another path breaking product from Visaka Industries Limited. Patented as the world’s first integrated solar roof, ATUM generates electricity and is a completely integrated, a seamless solar roof made with poly or mono crystalline solar cells and cement boards an exceptionally durable roofing material making it the world’s first solar panel which can be directly used as a roof.

CC: You are trying to bring in a green revolution and ATUM is another such initiative that is serving the purpose. India is still in its nascent stage when it comes to sustainable living. How are you spearheading this change via ATUM?

Change at times can be a slow process. It does not happen overnight. A lot of work goes into transforming the perception of people. Change is happening and a lot of people are turning to greener ways. And with ATUM, we are getting one step closer to our dream. ATUM, the world’s first integrated solar roof, generates electricity and is a completely integrated, seamless solar roof made with poly or mono crystalline solar cells and cement boards. All this makes it an exceptionally durable roofing material making, and most importantly it is the world’s first solar panel which can be directly used as a roof.

ATUM does not need any roof underlay like the conventional solar tiles available in the market. As a roof, it has mechanical properties which are far superior to tiles or shingles or conventional panels. ATUM provides 20-40% higher capacity in each area, and to add to it, it also generates 20-40% more power compared to the traditional solar roofs. ATUM also looks aesthetically appealing and gives an additional floor space, which is not possible with the traditional systems. This makes the ROI with ATUM less than four years and a highly attractable investment. Therefore, a consumer can expect to break even in less than four years and enjoy free power for the next 25 years. In 2020, Visaka Industries Limited was granted a 20 year patent for its ATUM Solar Roof. The patent was granted for the invention titled “Eco Friendly Energy Generating Roof.” ATUM secured the prestigious UL Certification as per the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards.

"When your purpose is strong, one should not be bogged down by expectations. Having said that, I believe that one needs to understand their purpose in life and find their passion be it at work or personal to bring the best output"

CC: With all the success in your kitty, the organisation converts that into serving the society through the Visaka Charitable Trust. Tell us about how the company is aiding environment ecological sustainability?

Visaka Industries, as a responsible corporate citizen has always been involved and has been contributing to society through various charitable activities. Visaka Industries Limited established Visaka Charitable Trust in the year 2000, which mainly works in the areas of water, education, and health.

Our products are also an extension of our corporate citizenship ethos. Over the last few decades, we have endeavoured to create eco friendly and sustainable products such as Wonder Yarn, which is made from recycled PET bottles; Vnext fibre cement boards which are an ideal substitute for plywood and help in saving trees; and ATUM, which is the world’s first integrated solar roof providing both shelter and renewable solar energy.

CC: What are your views on the present condition of the construction industry and its future in terms of sustainability?

The government is striving to provide a house to every Indian, making the construction industry an essential sector. We believe the Indian construction industry is changing and we are seeing a certain section of the industry beginning to think about sustainability, eco friendly designs and products, conservation of natural resources and green buildings. By introducing sustainable products like Wonder Yarn and Fibre Cement Boards, focusing relentlessly on renewable energy to harness clean and green power, Visaka is certainly on the path where it can contribute to the environment. However, this is just the beginning and a lot more needs to be done to ensure that we are giving our future generations a fighting chance to survive.

CC: What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs who are starting out?

A key ingredient of our business philosophy is to ensure self reliance for our country. In this regard, my advice to budding entrepreneurs would be to look at opportunities that are not only profitable but also provide employment and growth opportunities. We believe that the market for our products is growing and we welcome more players who can not only grow the market but come out with innovative products and solutions.

CC: A quote that you swear by?

I believe in the saying: I did not come this far to only come this far. I always seek for constant improvement and overcoming challenges makes me a better person. And this is what makes life great.

CC: When not working what keeps you busy?

Spirituality is of great interest to me. A lot of my time goes in introspection and learning any new talent or skill that may be in need of the hour for today and tomorrow.