Ravi Agarwal: Leading with Innovative Initiatives For An Eco-Friendly Society
Ravi Agarwal
Director
A native of Assam, Ravi started the commercial production of Jumbo Roofings and Tiles in the year 2010. In the past few years, he has won numerous accolades including Atmanirbhar Bharat Award 2021 for manufacturing, Top 10 Roofing Sheets Manufacturer 2020, National Business Leadership Award and others. Engaging in a one on one interaction with the team of CEO Insights magazine, Ravi Agarwal highlights upon his professional journey and how he is making constant efforts towards leaving greater impact on society.
Throw some light on your professional back ground and experience. What inspired you to start your professional journey in the cement roofing and tiles manufacturing industry?
After the completion of my Management Studies with specialization in International Business, I was keen on entrepreneurship rather than a cushy corporate job. I had received a few offers to work in companies abroad, but my passion for entrepreneurship and urge to take up new challenges landed me into the hardware goods industry which has been my background also. The highly competitive nature of roofing industry meant that surviving on basic products was difficult and it was imperative to innovate. Our Research and Development team stood up to the challenge and provided value added products to our customers which have been very widely accepted in the market, thus ensuring leadership position for our company in the North East Indian market. This has further motivated us to consolidate our position in the market by setting up a new state-of-the-art unit to manufacture fibre cement board for the first time in
entire Eastern and Central India. A keen understanding of the changing consumer needs and the will to provide innovative products has led us to where we stand today.
Where is Jumbo Roofings and Tiles positioned currently? How do you ensure to continue the reputation of this brand as a director? Also, how does your company differentiate itself from the competition?
Jumbo Roofings and Tiles saw the light of day as an opportunity to provide quality roofing products to customers of the Eastern India market. Setting up this business was sort of a whimsical decision without any study of the industry, and it turned out to be a good decision in hindsight. Jumbo Roofings and Tiles has gained from strength to strength since its inception and today holds a market position in North East and parts of Eastern India, and it has a position of great repute in an industry dominated by big players.
We have very high regards towards competition because it is something which keeps us on our toes and does not allow us an easy day in office. Our diverse product portfolio, wide distribution network with loyal dealers, innovative products, in depth understanding of the dynamic market environment, young, energetic and strong team are our strengths, and all of these set us apart from the others in the market.
In your professional journey so far, which are the milestones that bestowed you with utmost satisfaction both as an individual and as an industry leader?
During the professional journey of Jumbo Roofings and Tiles, there have been certain occasions which have made us feel that the very existence can be threatened within a short span of time if we do not respond to changes in the market which are very subtle and not obvious. You have to address such challenges by taking even more risks, which is the forte of an entrepreneur. Our journey has been a saga of such apprehensions, risks, decisions and the achievement of a few milestones. The one which provides maximum satis faction is watching unveil the success of innovative products which have been widely appreciated by the market and enhanced professional reputation of the company. Individual satisfaction is mostly
Where is Jumbo Roofings and Tiles positioned currently? How do you ensure to continue the reputation of this brand as a director? Also, how does your company differentiate itself from the competition?
Jumbo Roofings and Tiles saw the light of day as an opportunity to provide quality roofing products to customers of the Eastern India market. Setting up this business was sort of a whimsical decision without any study of the industry, and it turned out to be a good decision in hindsight. Jumbo Roofings and Tiles has gained from strength to strength since its inception and today holds a market position in North East and parts of Eastern India, and it has a position of great repute in an industry dominated by big players.
A keen understanding of the changing consumer needs and the will to provide innovative products has led us to where we stand today
We have very high regards towards competition because it is something which keeps us on our toes and does not allow us an easy day in office. Our diverse product portfolio, wide distribution network with loyal dealers, innovative products, in depth understanding of the dynamic market environment, young, energetic and strong team are our strengths, and all of these set us apart from the others in the market.
In your professional journey so far, which are the milestones that bestowed you with utmost satisfaction both as an individual and as an industry leader?
During the professional journey of Jumbo Roofings and Tiles, there have been certain occasions which have made us feel that the very existence can be threatened within a short span of time if we do not respond to changes in the market which are very subtle and not obvious. You have to address such challenges by taking even more risks, which is the forte of an entrepreneur. Our journey has been a saga of such apprehensions, risks, decisions and the achievement of a few milestones. The one which provides maximum satis faction is watching unveil the success of innovative products which have been widely appreciated by the market and enhanced professional reputation of the company. Individual satisfaction is mostly
derived in experiencing growth of the organization and understanding that such growth has tremendously benefitted all stakeholders.
How has been your response to the challenges posed by the Covid affected market and the need for new strategies? How would you describe your role in tackling those challenges?
Our products have very wide acceptability in the rural market, and during Covid times, there has been reverse migration from urban to rural areas. Our team has stood up to the challenges and served the market with great diligence during these tough times. The organization has gained from an increase in rural demand and has fast tracked its new venture to meet further growth in demand in immediate future. Covid has altered market dynamics like never before and has thrown up several opportunities which can be addressed through increased usage of technology. The spread of internet in the hinterland has bridged the rural urban divide like never before and reaching out to customers in such areas has become much easier especially during times when travel was restricted. Achieving economies of scale and maintaining cost advantage is crucial in difficult times, and we intend to achieve both by setting up a new double capacity manufacturing unit with captive solar power plant of 1400KwH.
Going forward, what are the changes in market behaviour that you anticipate and what are the opportunities that you foresee as a leader?
With increase in purchasing power of people especially in rural areas, they are ready to adopt innovative products. The Government has been taking many steps to boost rural income and has offered several schemes for rural housing. With spread of internet, customer knowledge and awareness has seen tremendous increase. They would increasingly demand and accept value added innovative products. We are arriving once again in the market with such products through our new venture JRT Industries LLP which would offer a diverse range of products for the first time in North East, Eastern and Central India from North East,. We will offer colored cement roofing sheets, fibre cement board, designer ceiling fibre tiles, PVC laminated ceiling tiles and many more products .
Ravi Agarwal, Director,Jumbo Roofings and Tiles
Hobbies:Travelling, Reading books
Favorite Cuisine:Indian Vegetarian
Favorite Book:‘Man’s Search for Ultimate Meaning(Victor E. Frankl)
Favorite Travel Destination:The Hinterland of India
How has been your response to the challenges posed by the Covid affected market and the need for new strategies? How would you describe your role in tackling those challenges?
Our products have very wide acceptability in the rural market, and during Covid times, there has been reverse migration from urban to rural areas. Our team has stood up to the challenges and served the market with great diligence during these tough times. The organization has gained from an increase in rural demand and has fast tracked its new venture to meet further growth in demand in immediate future. Covid has altered market dynamics like never before and has thrown up several opportunities which can be addressed through increased usage of technology. The spread of internet in the hinterland has bridged the rural urban divide like never before and reaching out to customers in such areas has become much easier especially during times when travel was restricted. Achieving economies of scale and maintaining cost advantage is crucial in difficult times, and we intend to achieve both by setting up a new double capacity manufacturing unit with captive solar power plant of 1400KwH.
Going forward, what are the changes in market behaviour that you anticipate and what are the opportunities that you foresee as a leader?
With increase in purchasing power of people especially in rural areas, they are ready to adopt innovative products. The Government has been taking many steps to boost rural income and has offered several schemes for rural housing. With spread of internet, customer knowledge and awareness has seen tremendous increase. They would increasingly demand and accept value added innovative products. We are arriving once again in the market with such products through our new venture JRT Industries LLP which would offer a diverse range of products for the first time in North East, Eastern and Central India from North East,. We will offer colored cement roofing sheets, fibre cement board, designer ceiling fibre tiles, PVC laminated ceiling tiles and many more products .
Ravi Agarwal, Director,Jumbo Roofings and Tiles
Hobbies:Travelling, Reading books
Favorite Cuisine:Indian Vegetarian
Favorite Book:‘Man’s Search for Ultimate Meaning(Victor E. Frankl)
Favorite Travel Destination:The Hinterland of India