TODAY
18th December 2017
Another achievement Sachdev is particularly proud of is disabling Chinese products entry into the inverter market. He says, ‘Today. there is not a single Chinese inverter in the Indian market. while the electronics category is overflowing with Chinese products.’ Coming from a lower middle•class family background. Sachdev has never let financial constraints stop him from becoming a serial entrepreneur —starting from the young age of 15 years. Starting off by selling pens On a cycle with his older brother, he later founded a profitable business of cable 1V communications in Delhi Being a visionary. Sactdev was quick to foresee the growth of the power backup industry in India and decided to shut down his cable TV business in 1998 to found Su-Kam Power Systems. The fact that the inverter in his own home was frequently out of action, also provided the necessary impetus, he adds. Sachdev proceeded to alter the nature and market of inverters in India. Manufacturers used to use the wrong wire in inverters. but on the Su-Kam inverter, one would not find th s happening. Nor did the refrigerator-cooler need to be closed when the power went out. To figure this out. I would spend nights in areas with a high incidence of power theft.’ Before Su-Kam. the inverter industry was dominated by hundreds of local players who were selling substandard products. Su-Karns entry forced a Clean-up and rapid modernisation. resulting in the sectors transformation into an organised industry. Su-cam’s stunning rise makes for a fascinating business case study. and not rust in India. The company’s products are now mooned to 70 countries worldwide. Now, Sachdev has taken things to the next level with the launch of solar inverters. which feature chargers powered by solar energy. ‘Yes. we are a little late in entering the solar power sector. but I believe there is immense opportunity still untapped. With the rising demand for clean fuel. the future of solar energy, is idea ta ‘morose. If tho Coati gewra’pr Worldwide. Yaw. Sachdev has taken things to the reit Tavel with the launch of solar mentors. which feature chargers powered by solar energy. ‘Yes. we are a lithe late in entering the solar power sector. but I believe there is immense opportunity st II untapped. With the rising demand for clean fuel. the future of solar energy is going to improve. If the diesel generator is banned, then the preference will shit to the big inverters that we have already brought to market’ Su-Ham’s solar inverter dramatically reduces power consumption. Solar power is connected directly to the supply line of the house so that the device uses only solar energy. Sachdev claims that the solar usage automatically reduces the electncity bill by 30.40 percent.
NEW EXPERIMENTS Su•Kam was stoned In 1998 in lock of good Inverters In the market. Sothdre himself faced this inn at Imam This led to Ike Idea of making superior quality Inverin
INVESTMENTS 71 Reliance (And Arnhem’) and TUAASIK Holdings, Turnover: Rs. 1000 Cr, Stoned with his own fonds.
HONOUR Madco Foundation Award ler Innovation in 2001-05. Asia’s Most homising Brand Award in 2012-13
RISK 71 Government does not give potent in time, reselling no benefit of research, apprehension of technology imitation, research on battery is needed.
COMPETITION 71 Some companies in domestic market have created competition, however there’s no threat in near Mine.
Su-Kam’s rapid strides have fetched the company many laurels over the years. The Marino Foundshon has awarded the company for innovation. awarding it the title of Asia’s Most Promising Brand Award in 2012-13 Sachdev was also conferred with Asian Leadership Award in 2013. lie is also credited with inventing worlds first plastic-body inverters. which was declared as ‘Innovation of the Decade by Ind* Today magazine He revolutionised the power back-up industry by introducing world-class technologies such as MOSFET. Micro controller based and DSP Sine Wave into inverters. He also gave to India the ‘Home UPS. which combined the features of UPS antimertps in a single equxpnitot. was declared as ‘Innovation of the Decade’ by India Today magazine. He revolubonised the power back-up industry by introducing world-class technologies such as MOSFET. Micro controller based and DSP Sine Wave into inverters. He also gave to India the ‘Home UPS. which combined the features of UPS and inserter ,n a single eautpmert.
In the Su-Kam corporate office at Gurgaon, Sachdev’s affection for his employees is sharply evident. On the walls everywhere are employees’ pictures. Sachdev says, “I respect my workers. Workers are hungry for respect.”
Adding that the Indian ‘system’ lacks the value of appreciation. Sachdev notes. in Inda, cricketers and hm stars get asked a lot of questions, but no one asks the :nnovatm about his or her vision. struggles or achievements – it is not the governments job to bring change and innovabon, it is upto people like us: he adds.’ Sachdev was the first Indian entrepreneur to file patents for technology and design in the Indian power backup Industry. Referring to challenges in growth. Sachdev points to the difficulties in securing technology patents in India. Illustrating his point, he reveals that he applied for a patent of ‘High Frequency Lead Acid Battery Charger in 2004 and the patent was finally received on August 25. 2017. by which time the technology had moved far ahead “Ike trouble is that there is no ecosystem for innovabon in India’ Sachdev has applied for 90 patents in all to date. of which many are being demanded by Chinese companies as well simultaneously. But the Indian government is oblivious to the need for speed in patenting Indian innovator he laments.