“How I entered Cement world “.

It was 2007  May ,when I applied for GET position at Zuari cement Ltd  just post completion of my Engineering final examinations . I have been asked for an aptitude test at one of center in Chennai .I had qualified written and oral part and was offered a Graduate Engineer Trainee at ZCL in yerraguntla,India . We had around 25 GETs with different background and culture .1st August 2007 is the date ,when I had opportunity to enter Cement Plant . Everything seems to big and bulky when we made a group Tour .

 In induction ,we were told that ITALCEMENTI SPA would be conducting a Global Trainee program for young Engineers  in process & maintenance so that in future they can take up leadership roles .Italcementi was pioneer in cement Industry operating around 22 countries with 5 largest cement Producer in 2007. I was excited to learn and applied to it, with god grace and my superior support   I had opportunity to make out of four member.

 On 5th Dec 2007 ,I flew to Italy and also first time to a abroad country ( A big thing for small town boy ,who never stepped out of his region until 12th standards ) along with three colleagues to make it in JET ( Junior engineer Trainee ) conducted by Italcementi under Curriculum of Milan University . I had got great opportunity to learn process and Maintenance during these 4 months in Paris ( France ) and Matera ( Italy ) with other nationalities from group companies .That’s what was a real multicultural and diversity ever I had see .  Young ,bright engineers from Italy ,USA,Spain ,France ,Kazakhstan ,India Thailand  etc to be part . A truly new learning space and adjusting to new culture

 I was offered a position in  CTG a Technical company of Italcementi performance but I preferred machineries and I was moved into  Machinery department  Led by Ing Villa that time . He moved me across plants to learn multi-function maintenance and understand Italian plants ( 18 ,When I joined ). It took me across all region in Italy . A guy who couldn’t communicate to most due to language barrier , I had started learning Italians from my colleague ,Tvs and few formal teacher . One of few colleague in Matera said ,You have to drink coffee in coffee shop and eat pizza in Pizza and drink Wine to integrate with culture J . I have started and to be surprise ,I felt like one of them . When you communicate or try to at least communicate local helps to make understand that you are part .I came under another n+1 during this period . He was Franco Conti a  great Technical guy and kind  hearted . A father figure for me .

 The journey to Project Management . I have been moved to USA ( Martinsburg ,West Virginia ) on 1st March 2009 , at a New construction site to assit my n+1 on Packing plant,Homo silo and cement silo . I had a great experience on site for two months managing construction with different suppliers ,vendors and engineering companies .I executed and the I moved to Zuari Line 2  Project in India ,there I spent almost two years in helping erection and commissioning of whole line  from Crusher to packing until cement loading on wagons . This was basically a great place ,where I did on hand actual measurements ,tool and even tightened nuts,bolts ,greased and alignments works .This experience gave what could go wrong on real Vs Design  which most designed fails. I had opportunity to sit on CCR and see how kiln and Mills runned and interaction with operators helped to get first hand experience on process operations . I returned to HQ in Bergamo back in April 2011.

 I started working on conveyor designs and other material handling equipment’s from 2011 onwards for Bulgaria Project on big investment Project . I had opportunity to design material transport system for Bulgaria Plant and had same time to work on multiple packing plant projects in Srilanka,Egypt,Gambia ,Marutania and etc. . I made tendering for 12 Packers ,One Ferrous sulphate dosing equipment’s and one Cement silos during next 3 years  I,e until 2014 April .

 I was asked to relocate to shymkent ,Kazakhstan to execute  new Kiln line  for overall project as Mechanical Engineer for Italcementii . I took challenge as it was not easy again ,new language ,tough weather etc. and overall. I had opportunity to grow as construction manager and even at a point  Engineering ,Construction and Planning all combined . We worked hard to obtain 1 Million man hours and engaged Russian speaking force with Chinese Speaking vendors and workers . In 3 years of my stay , we built a modern plant and best in technology avlaible with least avlaible resources ( man and money both ) under very motivated Project Manager Ferdinando Milesi . This time I had opportunity to learn project controls and finance aspect

 The Hidelbergcement acquired Italcement  business on group level and I  made into Heidelberg Cement (Now Heidelberg material) and was moved to  Georgia under leadership of Johnny Olesen as Mechanical and Planning Manager . Together with all colleagues we fired kiln at a Record time . The stay at Georgia was awesome and had great experience .We had great colleagues who are now friends .I also worked as an additional Project Manager in Revamping of Coal mill at Kaspi . I have closed project in November 2018 and decided to quit by now, It was difficult decision  as I was long with company and not easy to say Good Bye  . My grandfather always taught me that “Everything what happens in life will bring good latter”. Always keep moving .

 In 2019 ,I had  moved to CRH now as Project Engineering Manager and  was relocated to Philippines . A first time in south east Asia . A new way of life ,culture and challenges .In last  five years , I had opportunity to make a Grinding center , a full scale bidding and contracting for New Kiln Line  and supported development project . I had opportunity to lead projects worth millions of dollars ,negotiate contract and even dispute etc. .My Managers Ferdinando and Lloyd belived me  and gave me opportunity ,free hand to take risk and decision making  my  which developed many skills and leadership traits during working curve in Philippines .

 In one of the business dinner ,my ( N+1)+1 said “Sudhir you need to move more than silo design etc. . See a bigger picture of business  and secondly one of my colleagues who I say Dada ( a big brother for respect  in Bengali , Abhishek ) working for strategy and business development once said me that in all AGM meetings ,the key focal points are Profit /Loss /Growth /Possibilities and Stakeholders profit abilities . No one discuss who did   major engineer or masterpiece of works .Everyone discuss what contribution margin and what is the valuation of stocks and earning /returns that they make .These two discussion pushed me to invest myself in Business Management .Then Lockdown happened and everything offline rerouted to Online . I took this as an opportunity and got into S.P.JAIN SCHOOL OF GLOBAL MANAGEMENT ,SINGAPORE into their EMBA  .IN next two years ,I never had a holiday or break .Sometime I felt I should quit for few months and take back again but prover “Keeps moving ,if not today then never “ motivated me .

 I also did my EMBA in operations management from Singapore  during covid lockdown via Online ,this changed completely my view on business and was also blessed with a baby boy as a father . A child taught me empathy ,patience and more flexible /agile time management.

 In last two years , I had opportunity to work along board members ,MANCOM ,strategy ,procurement on developing Multiple projects on small and big scale under guidance VP-Manufacturing ( Mr. Lloyd ) and GTS CRH  ( John /Ferdi/Michel /Hugh /Oliver )  for multi-dimensional Project with all IRR,RONA,NPV  numbers as Capital project Manager .I now trying to read one AGM report of each  major cement manufactures a month and see what’s key point to learn from each one of them

 Each day ,I get an opportunity at CRH to learn and implement and full accountability and responsibility . CRH empowers us to take decision’s and growth of our leadership skills .

 This is how I entered in cement business . Whats your story

 Thanks for reading