India Today article on Su-kam in December 2017CategoriesBlogs
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India Today article on Su-kam in December 2017 about Kunwer Sachdev

INDIA TODAY, December 18, 2017: The Rise of Su-Kam Power Systems

Kunwer Sachdev, founder of Su-Kam Power Systems, has achieved significant milestones in the Indian power backup industry. One notable accomplishment is his claim of effectively displacing Chinese inverters from the Indian market. “Today, there is not a single Chinese inverter in the Indian market, while the electronics category is overflowing with Chinese products,” he asserts.

Sachdev’s entrepreneurial journey began at the age of 15, overcoming a lower middle-class background. He started by selling pens on a bicycle with his brother and later established a profitable cable TV business in Delhi. Recognizing the potential of the power backup industry, he shut down his cable TV business in 1998 to found Su-Kam Power Systems. His personal experience with unreliable inverters fueled his determination.

Innovation and Market Transformation:

Sachdev transformed the Indian inverter market by focusing on quality and reliability. He addressed issues like substandard wiring and power fluctuations, which were common among existing manufacturers. “To figure this out, I would spend nights in areas with a high incidence of power theft,” he explains. Before Su-Kam, the industry was dominated by numerous local players selling substandard products. Su-Kam’s entry forced a cleanup and modernization, leading to the sector’s transformation into an organized industry.

Expansion and Solar Energy:

Su-Kam’s success has led to its products being exported to 70 countries worldwide. Sachdev has now ventured into solar inverters, featuring solar-powered chargers. “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 going to improve. If the diesel generator is banned, then the preference will shift to the big inverters that we have already brought to market,” he states. Su-Kam’s solar inverters aim to reduce electricity bills by 30-40% by directly connecting solar power to the household supply.

Key Highlights:

  • Inception: Su-Kam was founded in 1998 due to the lack of reliable inverters.
  • Investments: In 2006, the company received investments from Reliance Power and Temasek Holdings.
  • Honors:
    • Marico Foundation Award for Innovation (2001-05).
    • Asia’s Most Recognized Brand Award (2012-13).
    • Asian Leadership Award in 2013.
  • Innovations:
    • World’s first plastic-body inverters.
    • Introduction of MOSFET, Microcontroller-based, and DSP Sine Wave technologies.
    • Home UPS, combining UPS and inverter functionalities.
  • Challenges:
    • Delays in government patent approvals.
    • Risk of technology imitation.
    • Competition from domestic companies.
    • Need for better battery research.

Corporate Culture and Patents:

Sachdev emphasizes employee respect and fosters a positive work environment, evident in the employee pictures displayed throughout Su-Kam’s Gurgaon office. He criticizes the Indian system for lacking appreciation for innovators. “In India, cricketers and film stars get asked a lot of questions, but no one asks innovators about his or her vision, struggles, or achievements,” he observes. He also stresses that innovation is the responsibility of entrepreneurs, not just the government.

Sachdev was a pioneer in filing patents in the Indian power backup industry. However, he highlights the challenges in securing patents, citing the lengthy approval process. For example, a patent application for a “High Frequency Lead Acid Battery Charger” filed in 2004 was only granted in 2017, by which time the technology had become outdated. He has applied for 90 patents, some of which are being sought by Chinese companies, but he laments the lack of urgency from the Indian government in patenting Indian innovations.

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Personal Front became the reason of bankruptcy of Su-kam

Kunwer Sachdev was a titan in the world of business. Su-Kam, his brainchild, stood as a monument to his relentless drive and ingenuity. He navigated the treacherous currents of the market with the ease of a seasoned sailor, weathering every storm, outsmarting every rival. He was a master strategist, a force to be reckoned with in the professional arena.

Award ceremony Kunwer Sachdev
ISA Award Ceremony

Yet, life, in its cruel irony, taught him a lesson he never anticipated. It wasn’t the cutthroat world of commerce that would bring him to his knees, but the delicate, often tumultuous realm of personal relationships. His divorce was a seismic event, a fissure that ran deep within his soul. The emotional fallout was a relentless tide, pulling him under, threatening to drown him in despair. He tried to maintain his composure, to keep Su-Kam afloat, but his heart was heavy, his focus fractured.

His absence, the subtle shift in his leadership, didn’t go unnoticed. Cracks began to appear within the company, whispers of discontent echoing in the corridors. Then, the unthinkable happened. His ex-wife, driven by a bitter vendetta, launched a calculated assault on Su-Kam. Her mission was clear: to dismantle his empire, to prove to the world that Kunnwer Sachdev was nothing without her.

Her actions were not mere acts of spite; they were a systematic campaign of destruction. She spread rumors, sowed seeds of discord among employees, and manipulated stakeholders, all with the singular goal of bringing Su-Kam to its knees. She was hell-bent on destroying his career, on stripping him of his reputation, on proving her power. Her motto was to bring Kunwer Sachdev down and show the world that he was nothing without her.

The betrayal cut deeper than any business deal, a wound that festered and refused to heal. It was a calculated assault on his very being, a blow that shook the foundations of his life. Seven years of grueling legal battles followed, years of emotional turmoil, of fighting to salvage what remained of his personal and professional life. Su-Kam, once a symbol of his success, began to crumble under the weight of his personal strife.

Then, a glimmer of hope appeared in the form of Khushboo. She entered his life like a beacon of light, a source of unwavering support, a lifeline in the swirling darkness. They married in 2016, a new chapter, a chance to rebuild.

But the storm wasn’t over. In 2018, as he cradled his newborn twins, a moment of pure, unadulterated joy, he received the devastating news: Bankers have filed for NCLT proceedings  for bankruptcy of Su-kam Power Systems Ltd. Kunwwer Sachdev did his best that bankers withdraw proceedings but it was not to happen. The contrast was stark, a cruel twist of fate. The happiest moment of his life was overshadowed by the collapse of his life’s work. He had poured all his energy into Su-Kam, neglecting to diversify, and now, he was paying the price.

Advait Sachdev and Swastika Sachdev newborn babies

He had faced countless professional challenges, conquered them all, but this, this was different. This was personal. The pain wasn’t just financial; it was a deep, aching wound in his soul. He had underestimated the power of personal turmoil, the devastating impact it could have on even the strongest of individuals.

Yet, even in the ruins of his dreams, a spark of resilience flickered. Khushboo, with her unwavering belief in him and her entrepreneurial spirit, stepped forward. She gathered former Su-Kam employees, those who had been left adrift, and founded Su-vastika, a new venture, a chance to right the wrongs. She was his rock, his partner, his savior.

After two more years of relentless legal battles, Kunnwer finally joined her. Together, they began to rebuild, brick by brick, from the ashes of their past. They had learned a profound lesson: that even the most formidable individuals are vulnerable to the storms of the heart. That professional success, while vital, is meaningless without a strong personal foundation. They understood that the most challenging battles are not fought in the boardroom, but in the quiet corners of our hearts, where the wounds of betrayal and the scars of loss reside. They understood that true strength lies not in conquering the world, but in healing the heart.

Disclaimer: Please note that the information and personal reflections shared on this blog are from Mr. Kunwer Sachdev’s perspective and experiences. It is important to clarify that Mr. Kunwer Sachdev is no longer associated with the Su-Kam brand in any official or unofficial capacity.
The views and opinions expressed here are his own and do not necessarily reflect the current strategies, operations, or viewpoints of Su-Kam Power Systems Ltd. Su-kam Insolvency
This website/blog is a personal endeavor to share insights and experiences from Mr. Kunwer Sachdev’s journey as an entrepreneur and leader. Any mention of Su-Kam is for historical context and to illustrate the experiences and lessons learned during that period of his life.