Manoj V Chhapia : Integrating Fool proof, Sustainable Innovations Within Oil & Gas Industry
Manoj V Chhapia
CEO & Managing Director
One of the eminent leaders in shaping the future of this sector is Manoj V Chhapia, CEO & Managing Director at Kwality Gas Bottlers. Over the years, his curiosity and passion for learning and identifying new oppor- tunities have helped him establish a strong presence in the oil and gas space.
CEO Insights engages in an exclusive interview with Manoj Chhapia. Here are the excerpts of the insightful conversation.
Tell us about some of the unique experiences that have shaped your career so far?
My father, who has been an entrepreneur throughout his life, played a significant role in shaping my entrepreneurial mind set. Since childhood, I’ve observed his work style and business approach, which deeply inspired me.
Even during my school and college days, I always aspired to do something unique that could add value and simplify people’s lives. My father and one of my uncles guided me at every step. I began my career in the marketing of polymer granules, which we imported and sold.
However, after the liberalization of policies and the establishment of Reliance’s refinery in Jamnagar, the need for imports was significantly reduced. This shift opened the doors to the LPG market.
How do you embrace innovations at your organization?
Our goal has always been to make our customers’ lives easier, especially since we deal with essential petrochemical products. We believe in being proactive and bringing innovative solutions
to the market. For example, we were the first to launch a mobile app that allowed customers to book their LPG cylinders online, making the process more convenient for both customers and our dealers and distributors.
We have always focused on addressing customer challenges, particularly ensuring timely delivery. In today’s fast-paced world, where nuclear families often have both spouses working, we adapted our operations to match their schedules.
Our dealers and franchisees now work extended hours from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., ensuring prompt service, and specially during COVID, our dealers and distributors worked selflessly to meet our customers' need with hygienic and timely delivery.
When we noticed the mobile app’s usage reaching a saturation point, our Young Director Rahul M Chhapia suggested a more efficient solution. He observed that most customers do not want to download an app for something they use occasionally, like booking a cylinder once a month. That is when we introduced the QR code concept.
With the QR code, customers simply scan it, which directs them to WhatsApp. There, they receive options tailored to their needs, whether they are first-time customers, need a refill, want to lodge a complaint or seek safety information. This approach allows us to offer a seamless and user-friendly experience while continuously bringing new and relevant solutions to the market.
Share the approach you follow to promote a sustainable future.
Our eco-friendly approach has driven us to change our way of packaging LPG regulators, which we felt was our social responsibility as well. So, instead of packing the regulators in carton, we started packaging them in tin containers and gave a packet of seeds which can be used as a planter. This added to the green revolution, which we are proud to say that Kwality Gas Bottlers is the only company in India which follows this approach.
As part of our commitment to sustainable future programmes, we have developed a revolutionary product that provides a 27 percent gas saving on LPG. At the same time, it acts as a safety device and flashback arrestor, helping to save lives and prevent disastrous accidents.
We have always focused on addressing customer challenges, particularly ensuring timely delivery. In today’s fast-paced world, where nuclear families often have both spouses working, we adapted our operations to match their schedules.
Our dealers and franchisees now work extended hours from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., ensuring prompt service, and specially during COVID, our dealers and distributors worked selflessly to meet our customers' need with hygienic and timely delivery.
It’s the hunger to learn and explore innovation that keeps Manoj Chhapia driven and motivated in life
When we noticed the mobile app’s usage reaching a saturation point, our Young Director Rahul M Chhapia suggested a more efficient solution. He observed that most customers do not want to download an app for something they use occasionally, like booking a cylinder once a month. That is when we introduced the QR code concept.
With the QR code, customers simply scan it, which directs them to WhatsApp. There, they receive options tailored to their needs, whether they are first-time customers, need a refill, want to lodge a complaint or seek safety information. This approach allows us to offer a seamless and user-friendly experience while continuously bringing new and relevant solutions to the market.
Share the approach you follow to promote a sustainable future.
Our eco-friendly approach has driven us to change our way of packaging LPG regulators, which we felt was our social responsibility as well. So, instead of packing the regulators in carton, we started packaging them in tin containers and gave a packet of seeds which can be used as a planter. This added to the green revolution, which we are proud to say that Kwality Gas Bottlers is the only company in India which follows this approach.
As part of our commitment to sustainable future programmes, we have developed a revolutionary product that provides a 27 percent gas saving on LPG. At the same time, it acts as a safety device and flashback arrestor, helping to save lives and prevent disastrous accidents.
We are proud to say this is a patented product tested and certified by prestigious institutes in India like Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research (Dhanbad), specially known for petroleum and explosives products, and also from Indian Institute of Scientific Research, Bangalore. This saves consumption of precious fuel and also expenditure to the exchequer.
How do you encourage employees at Kwality Gas to take part in CSR initiatives?
We organize monthly medical camps on the second Saturday of every month, a day when government offices are typically closed. These camps are fully funded by our company, providing free medical checkups, including tests for blood sugar, blood pressure, dental, eye check-ups and heart-related checkups.
We also operate a free medical clinic twice a week, offering consultations and medications at free of cost. Beyond healthcare, we support old-age homes and temples by supplying free LPG cylinders for their needs. In these camps, our company staffs also avail benefit of the camps and also volunteer for camps, which in turn trains them in becoming a responsible human.
Where do you see your company in the next few years?
Coming from a business-oriented family, innovation and growth have always been part of my journey. My father was constantly seeking new opportunities, and that mindset has inspired me. Over the next decade, we aim to expand into the CNG and EV markets. Discussions with government authorities are already under way.
In terms of market penetration, we currently operate in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu but plan to expand across southern India. As a part of business expansion program, we have added the business of wealth management, a new vertical, under the firm name Welthiffy.
Manoj V Chhapia, CEO & Managing Director, Kwality Gas Bottlers
Driven by curiosity and innovation, with a proactive focus on sustainability, social responsibility, and creating long-term value, Manoj V Chhapia, CEO & Managing Director at Kwality Gas Bottlers, is a dynamic entre-preneur with a strong foundation in science and a family background rooted in business
How do you encourage employees at Kwality Gas to take part in CSR initiatives?
We organize monthly medical camps on the second Saturday of every month, a day when government offices are typically closed. These camps are fully funded by our company, providing free medical checkups, including tests for blood sugar, blood pressure, dental, eye check-ups and heart-related checkups.
We also operate a free medical clinic twice a week, offering consultations and medications at free of cost. Beyond healthcare, we support old-age homes and temples by supplying free LPG cylinders for their needs. In these camps, our company staffs also avail benefit of the camps and also volunteer for camps, which in turn trains them in becoming a responsible human.
Where do you see your company in the next few years?
Coming from a business-oriented family, innovation and growth have always been part of my journey. My father was constantly seeking new opportunities, and that mindset has inspired me. Over the next decade, we aim to expand into the CNG and EV markets. Discussions with government authorities are already under way.
In terms of market penetration, we currently operate in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu but plan to expand across southern India. As a part of business expansion program, we have added the business of wealth management, a new vertical, under the firm name Welthiffy.
Manoj V Chhapia, CEO & Managing Director, Kwality Gas Bottlers
Driven by curiosity and innovation, with a proactive focus on sustainability, social responsibility, and creating long-term value, Manoj V Chhapia, CEO & Managing Director at Kwality Gas Bottlers, is a dynamic entre-preneur with a strong foundation in science and a family background rooted in business