Rohit Behani: Cylinder Valve Expert Leads Indian Charge In The Global Gas Equipment Markets
Rohit Behani
CEO & Partner
As a second generation entrepreneur and CEO of Tekno Valves, CEO Insights engages in an exclusive interaction with Rohit.
Throw some light on your professional background and experience. What inspired you to start your professional journey in the cylinder valve segment and what drives you today as an entrepreneur?
My education and career choices reflected my inclination to join the family business started by my father. From an early age, I was interested in Gas Cylinder Valves, and I never missed a chance to come to the factory while pursuing my Mechanical Engineering from BIT Mesra(1990-1994) and MBA from IMI New Delhi (1994-96).
I worked in Tata Motors for a short span only as working in a large firm did not really excite me. Being an entrepreneur means that I am responsible for my fate and future but more importantly it provides me significant opportunities to touch lives in a positive way.
How would you define Tekno Valves as an organization and its position in the market?
Tekno Valves is a world reputed and India's leading manufacturer of high-pressure gas cylinder valves. We are a proud ‘Made in India’ brand that is accepted and used in 65+ countries worldwide. It gives us great pride and satisfaction that our products are certified to European and ISO specifi cations. Gas cylinder valves are critical to Public Safety and are the Silent Centurions of the Gas Industry. As millions of new Tekno Valves enter the line of duty every year, we take our responsibility very seriously. Safety is our fore most pillar for our products, processes
and people.
You have 25 years' experience in design & manufacture of cylinder valves, and has played a pivotal role in impressing global players in the gas industry that India can compete with established overseas players. How did you make to reach to this level and what is your success mantra in business?
I always aspired to do business at a global level. I took a series of bold decisions to explore the market for products overseas and, in parallel, bench marked our products to international standards. In 2004, we became members of the Chlorine Institute (CI) in the US. I attended the CI annual meeting held in Baltimore in March 2005, which allowed us to develop contacts in the Chlor Alkali industry and resulted in a break through in the US market. Today Tekno Valves North America(TVNA), established in 2009, is our largest distributor globally.
I worked hard to receive European approvals for our products in 2007, and there has been no looking back since then. Today exports account for 50 percent of our total turnover. I received full support from my father and uncle to grow the business and invest in new technology, and our teamwork allowed us to punch above our weight consistently. I could consider myself lucky to meet the right people at the appropriate time,allowing Tekno Valves to break the gas ceiling on several fronts. However I would like to quote the old saying, "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity".
Tekno Valves is a world reputed and India's leading manufacturer of high pressure gas cylinder valves. As the CEO of Tekno Valves, how do you align strate gies with the company's overall goals?
Our vision is to double our turnover in the next 4-5 years. Our investment decisions and technology choice reflect our vision. While we see many companies cut corners, we
You have 25 years' experience in design & manufacture of cylinder valves, and has played a pivotal role in impressing global players in the gas industry that India can compete with established overseas players. How did you make to reach to this level and what is your success mantra in business?
I always aspired to do business at a global level. I took a series of bold decisions to explore the market for products overseas and, in parallel, bench marked our products to international standards. In 2004, we became members of the Chlorine Institute (CI) in the US. I attended the CI annual meeting held in Baltimore in March 2005, which allowed us to develop contacts in the Chlor Alkali industry and resulted in a break through in the US market. Today Tekno Valves North America(TVNA), established in 2009, is our largest distributor globally.
I worked hard to receive European approvals for our products in 2007, and there has been no looking back since then. Today exports account for 50 percent of our total turnover. I received full support from my father and uncle to grow the business and invest in new technology, and our teamwork allowed us to punch above our weight consistently. I could consider myself lucky to meet the right people at the appropriate time,allowing Tekno Valves to break the gas ceiling on several fronts. However I would like to quote the old saying, "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity".
I took a series of bold decisions to explore the market for products over seas and in parallel, benchmarked our products to international standards. In 2004 we became members of the Chlorine Institute(CI) in the US
Tekno Valves is a world reputed and India's leading manufacturer of high pressure gas cylinder valves. As the CEO of Tekno Valves, how do you align strate gies with the company's overall goals?
Our vision is to double our turnover in the next 4-5 years. Our investment decisions and technology choice reflect our vision. While we see many companies cut corners, we
have gone the other way to dial up our responsibility index in every activity keeping long term growth objectives in mind.
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?
Tekno Valves was declared an essential manufacturer immediately after the COVID-19 outbreak last year. Medical Oxygen Cylinder Valves are a critical part of the Oxygen supply chain. We have maintained continuity in supplies and supported the Oxygen crisis earlier this year by diverting 75 percent of our total output to manufacture and supply medical oxygen valves. Our workload increased signifi cantly during lockdowns and it was a source of great satisfaction that we could help save lives during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In your professional journey so far, which are the milestones that bestowed you with utmost satisfaction both as an individual and as an entrepreneur?
In 2012, my paper on Residual Pressure Valves, presented in the 34th AIIGMA seminar held in Dubai, was adjudicated the best technical presentation. For me, it has been very satisfying to represent the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) as an Indian Cylinder Valve Expert in ISO committees. I consider myself fortunate and privileged to have played an active role in overseeing our annual turnover growth of 50X in the last 25 years. Most importantly, I have mentored a few young and bright members of our team, and their success gives me the highest satisfaction. I am a proud father of two young adults working/studying overseas and gearing up to be responsible contributors and leaders in future.
Going forward, what are the changes in market behavior that you anticipate and what are the opportunities that you fore see as a leader?
Compressed gases are necessary for sustaining the modern way of life we take for granted.
Compressed gases may contribute to a small percentage of any countries GDP. However, they help leverage and accelerate almost every manufacturing industry. We have a diversified product range, and demand, led by medical application, is robust in all sectors. Our biggest challenge is to keep ramping technology and capacity to meet the growing demand, and it is an excellent problem to have.
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?
Tekno Valves was declared an essential manufacturer immediately after the COVID-19 outbreak last year. Medical Oxygen Cylinder Valves are a critical part of the Oxygen supply chain. We have maintained continuity in supplies and supported the Oxygen crisis earlier this year by diverting 75 percent of our total output to manufacture and supply medical oxygen valves. Our workload increased signifi cantly during lockdowns and it was a source of great satisfaction that we could help save lives during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In your professional journey so far, which are the milestones that bestowed you with utmost satisfaction both as an individual and as an entrepreneur?
In 2012, my paper on Residual Pressure Valves, presented in the 34th AIIGMA seminar held in Dubai, was adjudicated the best technical presentation. For me, it has been very satisfying to represent the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) as an Indian Cylinder Valve Expert in ISO committees. I consider myself fortunate and privileged to have played an active role in overseeing our annual turnover growth of 50X in the last 25 years. Most importantly, I have mentored a few young and bright members of our team, and their success gives me the highest satisfaction. I am a proud father of two young adults working/studying overseas and gearing up to be responsible contributors and leaders in future.
Going forward, what are the changes in market behavior that you anticipate and what are the opportunities that you fore see as a leader?
Compressed gases are necessary for sustaining the modern way of life we take for granted.
Compressed gases may contribute to a small percentage of any countries GDP. However, they help leverage and accelerate almost every manufacturing industry. We have a diversified product range, and demand, led by medical application, is robust in all sectors. Our biggest challenge is to keep ramping technology and capacity to meet the growing demand, and it is an excellent problem to have.