Abdul Qadir Bobadia : Propelling Growth Through Huge Industrial Assistance In The Flow Control Sector
Abdul Qadir Bobadia
Managing Director
In a private discussion with us, Abdul discussed his involvement in the industry, his efforts to simplify the needs of those in need of industrial assistance, and various other aspects.
Could you give a brief account of your professional background and experiences and also what drives you today as a new-age leader?
I hold a B.Tech in Instrumentation Engineering from SRM University. After graduating, I worked briefly at an HVAC contracting company and then had the opportunity to join L&T (Larsen & Toubro) on a contractual basis. After two years of notable accomplishments, I was offered a permanent role at L&T, where I spent six years. Following my time at L&T, I joined Crane Process Flow Technologies, an American company in the same industry, where I worked for four years. Subsequently, I founded my own business called Abtek Flow Solutions. Regarding leadership, I consider myself an inclusive leader. I value involving my team in decision-making and I strive to maintain a friendly and motivating work environment. I aim to develop individual leaders within my company who can efficiently handle their responsibilities.
I am passionate about my work in the industrial sector. Every day, I think about the technical challenges my customers are facing and how I can add value by resolving them. I
am in close rapport with mycustomers as I have helped resolve many problems. Coming up with new technical challenges and solving them is what motivates me the most. Ultimately, making the customer happy is my biggest motivation.
Could you tell me about the unique experiences SRM University Chennai offers and what did you learn from the campus beyond academics?
My experience at SRM was very open and supportive. The atmosphere allowed us to explore various opportunities. My HOD and professors were highly interactive and encouraging. They were in touch with the practical world, and their teaching coincided with real-time work demands. We had the opportunity to participate in college competitions and even organized an indoor college fest within our department. Working with our seniors was a unique learning experience, and I also got involved in SRM's satellite imagery program, which was a very special experience for me.
Tell us about your leadership approach and the guidelines or methodologies you follow to lead your team.
My basic leadership policy involves under-standing the constraints of my subordi-nates and helping them learn how to approach and overcome those constraints. I believe there are several ways to resolve a problem, and I make it a point to put myself in my teams’ shoes to understand how they can quickly learn to address it. I consider myself an involved leader because I take it upon myself to groom and train my employees until they can make decisions independently. My goal is to develop self-reliant individuals who are capable of challenging me and expressing their opinions. Overall, I would describe my leadership style as involving and interactive.
How do you keep yourself up-to-date with the ongoing industry trends?
My main way of staying updated is by meeting people and traveling locally, nationally, or internationally to learn about new trends and technologies. I work with IoT (Internet of Things) and attend expos to interact with customers. For example, I recently participated
Could you tell me about the unique experiences SRM University Chennai offers and what did you learn from the campus beyond academics?
My experience at SRM was very open and supportive. The atmosphere allowed us to explore various opportunities. My HOD and professors were highly interactive and encouraging. They were in touch with the practical world, and their teaching coincided with real-time work demands. We had the opportunity to participate in college competitions and even organized an indoor college fest within our department. Working with our seniors was a unique learning experience, and I also got involved in SRM's satellite imagery program, which was a very special experience for me.
My basic leadership policy involves under standing the constraints of my subordinates & helping them learn how to approach & overcome those constraints
Tell us about your leadership approach and the guidelines or methodologies you follow to lead your team.
My basic leadership policy involves under-standing the constraints of my subordi-nates and helping them learn how to approach and overcome those constraints. I believe there are several ways to resolve a problem, and I make it a point to put myself in my teams’ shoes to understand how they can quickly learn to address it. I consider myself an involved leader because I take it upon myself to groom and train my employees until they can make decisions independently. My goal is to develop self-reliant individuals who are capable of challenging me and expressing their opinions. Overall, I would describe my leadership style as involving and interactive.
How do you keep yourself up-to-date with the ongoing industry trends?
My main way of staying updated is by meeting people and traveling locally, nationally, or internationally to learn about new trends and technologies. I work with IoT (Internet of Things) and attend expos to interact with customers. For example, I recently participated
in an industrial expo in Colombo to gain insight into local businesses. Additionally, I read books to stay updated.
Could you tell me about the major mile stones of your journey so far?
We started very meagerly. Initially, we faced challenges due to COVID, but with consistent hard work and support from our employees, we overcame the difficulties. We have experi-enced significant growth, reaching millions in revenue. We have secured high-value orders and received recognition from our suppliers. During my career stints at L&T Valve and Crane I have been recognized amongst the top performers & best presenters. Furthermore, our business was acknowledged as a top grossing business contributor as well. Our focus on providing value to customers has been acknowledged, and we continue to offer service and technical support. These achievements mark significant milestones in our business.
What is the future roadmap you have envisioned for yourself for the next five years?
Over the next five years, our biggest goal is to expand our business and diversify into new areas. Previously, we only focused on product related work, but now we have also moved into industrial coating, industrial paints, and anti-corrosive paints. This expansion includes supply and application contracting services. We want to emphasize that we are not just sellers, but also original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) that provide contract services to our customers. We aim to continue growing in these sectors and further develop our business.
Any advice for the upcoming leaders in the industry?
Be passionate about your work or do what excites you. This will lead to hard work, creative thinking, and innovation. That's my advice to leaders and upcoming leaders.
Abdul Qadir Bobadia, Managing Director, Abtek Flow Solutions
Abdul Qadir Bobadia, Managing Director at Abtek Flow Solutions, is a leading figure in the flow control industry. With expertise in valves, actuators, and accessories, he is committed to enhancing customer satisfaction through superior products and services. Abdul's leadership style is inclusive, focusing on team involvement and individual development, driven by his passion for resolving technical challenges and ensuring customer happiness.
•Current Hobbies: Playing cricket, sketching & traveling
•Favorite Travel Destination:Dubai
•Favorite Book:Eat That Frog by BrianTracy
•Favorite Cuisine:Biryani
Could you tell me about the major mile stones of your journey so far?
We started very meagerly. Initially, we faced challenges due to COVID, but with consistent hard work and support from our employees, we overcame the difficulties. We have experi-enced significant growth, reaching millions in revenue. We have secured high-value orders and received recognition from our suppliers. During my career stints at L&T Valve and Crane I have been recognized amongst the top performers & best presenters. Furthermore, our business was acknowledged as a top grossing business contributor as well. Our focus on providing value to customers has been acknowledged, and we continue to offer service and technical support. These achievements mark significant milestones in our business.
What is the future roadmap you have envisioned for yourself for the next five years?
Over the next five years, our biggest goal is to expand our business and diversify into new areas. Previously, we only focused on product related work, but now we have also moved into industrial coating, industrial paints, and anti-corrosive paints. This expansion includes supply and application contracting services. We want to emphasize that we are not just sellers, but also original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) that provide contract services to our customers. We aim to continue growing in these sectors and further develop our business.
Any advice for the upcoming leaders in the industry?
Be passionate about your work or do what excites you. This will lead to hard work, creative thinking, and innovation. That's my advice to leaders and upcoming leaders.
Abdul Qadir Bobadia, Managing Director, Abtek Flow Solutions
Abdul Qadir Bobadia, Managing Director at Abtek Flow Solutions, is a leading figure in the flow control industry. With expertise in valves, actuators, and accessories, he is committed to enhancing customer satisfaction through superior products and services. Abdul's leadership style is inclusive, focusing on team involvement and individual development, driven by his passion for resolving technical challenges and ensuring customer happiness.
•Current Hobbies: Playing cricket, sketching & traveling
•Favorite Travel Destination:Dubai
•Favorite Book:Eat That Frog by BrianTracy
•Favorite Cuisine:Biryani