Innovation

At Sharplex, each filter designed involves a certain degree of innovation in order to suit the needs of the customers. Innovation is considered as a paramount parameter and is molded in such a way to go hand in hand with quality such that there is no compromise in either of these parameters.

Ø INNOVATION THEMES

• Has in-house cad-cam design center to design the filters as per the customer requirements

• Automatic dislodging of filtered cake by pneumatic vibrator

• Wide range of filter elements for any size and any make are manufactured

• Wire mesh cartridges are available in reusable type.

Ø FACTS & FIGURES

• More than 1500 successful installations in India and abroad, exporting to more than 30 countries

• Has 12 major filters catering to the diversified customer needs

• Usage of customized design has increased the profits by nearly 40%

Inspiration

Having worked with L&T in Chemical department for 10 years, Mr Satish wanted to start his own venture which could serve the need of only a niche segment i.e. coarse grained process filters. There was a high demand for low-cost process filters and there were few players operating in this segment. Also, there was a demand for low-cost process filters at a global level too. All this served as an inspiration for Mr. Satish to start his own firm(Sharplex).

Overall impact

Sharplex is one of those few companies which are able to match its vision of a better world to everyday business. The company has redefined process filtration by manufacturing efficient and economical equipment that caters to the needs of industries like food, pharma, chemical, edible oil, fertilizer, petroleum and mining. The design of each product is customized and stringent quality control measures are taken to ensure maximum customer satisfaction. The product range has diversified over time. The reach of the business has expanded to the extent that except for manufacturing business in India all filters are exported abroad. From a budding innovation-oriented firm, the company now markets itself as a brand which each of their customers need.

Sharplex provides valuable product and services that help people getting edible oil, chemical, pharmaceutical, fertilizer products filtered - removing impurities during various process stages reaching final product. Creation and use of these products and services have very low to minimal consequences on the environment & communities at large. The company is constantly looking at behaviors and technologies it can adopt and invest in to reduce the minimal negative impact. They are focusing on sustainable business practices and responsible workplace conditions. The company shares its success by making Sharplex a more fulfilling place to work and giving back to communities. All Sharplex employees are covered under medical & workmen compensation. The company also provides financial assistance to a number of government initiatives and NGOs like PETA India, Mumbai etc.

Sharplex ensures maximum customer satisfaction without compromising on its environment control. The company follows stringent quality control measures. Some of the steps taken as a part of product manufacturing to cater to environment goals include:

Ø No filter cloth requirement. Automatic dislodging of filtered cake by pneumatic vibrator or oscillating sluice header.

Ø Sharplex has supplied several filters for Molten Sulphur Filtration in sulphuric acid & sulphonation plants. Normally 'ASH' is an impurity which needs to be removed from sulphur so that further processing using molten sulphur should be smooth. The company ensures proper post-processing of Ash and other harmful solids.

Ø Wet or dry discharge possible by means of blow back in these filters is properly treated and processed.

Ø Filters that offer a variety of options usually work on simple techniques of centrifugation.

Business benefit

The company has been accredited with ISO 9001 : 2008 - quality management systems - by llyods and bs ISO 14001:2004 for environmental management systems and ohsas 18001:2007 - an international standard for occupational health & safety management systems.

Long term effects: Persisting with expertise in coarse grained process filters, without venturing in fine grained and other filtering, helped to achieve a distinguished position in this sector and helped to further develop expertise in the niche coarse grained process filters sector. Eventually they were able to create a global footprint also in more than 50 countries around the world.

Quotes from the interview that describes the impact, "We were always clear what we had to achieve. We specialize in a niche area of coarse process filters and have been successful in creating a global footprint."

Social and environmental benefit

In addition to ensuring that creation and use of their products and services have very low to minimal consequences on the environment & communities at large, Sharplex ensures that all employees are covered under medical & workmen compensation.

According to Mr. Satish Khadke, at Sharplex, they share their success by making it a more fulfilling place to work and giving back to communities.

1) Social Schemes – An upcoming trust that aims to inculcate a sense of responsibility in fund recipients

Sharplex is going to start a trust, wherein students benefited would be taught to be responsible for the funds they receive from Sharplex. The trust is expected to work using the following principles:

Ø Sharplex assigns loans to fund the graduation degree tuition expenses of a set of students

Ø These loans are to be repaid within a stipulated time period to Sharplex

Ø The funds received in the form of repaid loans are used for funding the next graduation batch.

2) Social Schemes – Financial assistance to organizations working for social upliftment

Financial assistance has been provided to the following organizations:

Lok Biradari Prakalp, Maharashtra - Started In 1973 By Legendary Baba Amte & Now Served By His Son Dr. Prakash Amte & His Wife Dr. Mandakini Amte - A Social Project For Integrated Development Of The Area Madia-Gond , Involving Davakhana (HOSPITAL), Ashram Shala (SCHOOL) And An Animal Orphange Covering Nearly 100 Km Of Area (www.lokbiradariprakalp.org)

Mesco - Modern Educational Social & Cultural Organisation , Mumbai, Maharashtra- A Reputed Trust & Ngo Since 1968 - Uses Their Funds In 3 Major Activities - Education, Medical Assistance, Women Empowerment & Poverty Relief - Touching Over 10,000 Families (www.mescotrust.org).

Snehalay Charitable Trust - Thane, Maharashtra - Founded By Parent Of A Mentally Challenged Person In 2007 - Its Main Aim Is To Keep Them Engaged After Completion Of Their Schooling & Involve Them Developing Their Skill & Personality As Well Acting As Day Care Center (www.snehalayango.org)

Trinayani - Mumbai, Maharashtra - An Ngo Involved In Creating Awareness About Disability ( Blindness, Hearing Loss, Learning) In Unique Ways & Means - Conducting Workshop, Creating Disability Awareness Films , Radio Shows, Exhibition Etc (www.trinayani.org)

Little Flower Leprosy Welfare Association - Sunderpur, Bihar - An Ngo Set Up By Brother Chritdas In 1981 Supporting Self-Supporting Leprosy Village "LITTLE Flower" At East Champaran, Sunderpur, Bihar Which Serves Patients, School Children And Surrounding Village Inhabitant ( www.littleflower-india.org)

Other organizations that have received financial benefits from Sharplex:

· Inner Wheel Club of Mulund, MumbaiChild Rights & You (CRY), Mumbai

· The United Orphanage for the Disabled, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.

· Inner Wheel Club of Mulund, Mumbai

· Blind Organization of India, Mumbai

· Pragati Andha Vidyalaya, Badlapur, Maharashtra

· Sos Children's Villages of India, Mumbai

· Shreeram Radhakrishnan, Mumbai

· Peta India, Mumbai

· Aman Jyoti Charitable Trust, Delhi

Saraswati Educational Foundation- vct, Panvel, Maharashtra

Interview

Mr. Satish Vasudeo Khadke, Sharplex Filters

Watch video on Vimeo