Sathiamoorthy Gopalsamy: Pioneering To Ignite The Paradigm Shift In The EPC Industry
Sathiamoorthy Gopalsamy
Managing Director, Tecnimont Private Limited (Maire Tecnimont Group)
The following is an excerpt from Sathia moorthy Gopalsamy, Engineering, Technology and R&D Vice President of Tecnimont S.p.A and Managing Director Tecnimont Private Limited conversation with CEO Insights magazine.
"The history of the world is full of men who rose to leadership, by sheer force of self-confidence, bravery, and tenacity"
Tell us about your educational and professional background? What is it that inspired you to start your professional journey in the EPC Industry?
Having graduated in Mechanical Engineering from Madurai Kamaraj University in 1986, in 1987, I joined Tecnimont Private Ltd (TCMPL) (formerly known as TICB)as a piping and layout engineer. It was in 2000 that I levelled up as the head of the piping & layout department and then later, I served as the Managing Director of TMCPL from 2010 till 2013. In September 2015, I took over the global role at Tecnimont S.p.A, Milan as Services Projects Vice President and took the additional responsibility of Engineering Vice President from August 2016. At present, I am Engineering, Technology and R&D Vice President of Tecnimont S.p.A and Managing Director of Tecnimont Private Limited.
Today, when it comes to the EPC segment, Maire Tecnimont Group has been a reputed name in providing technology licensing as well as in engineering & construction solutions to the hydrocarbon processing sector. The fast depleting fossil fuel across the globe and increasing pollution levels have been posing greater threat to mankind for several years. It is here, Maire Tecnimont Group's vision of energy transition has been playing an active role in countries where it is present. Personally, I am excited about projects we are involved in India with focus on circular economy, Green Hydrogen, Biochemicals & Biofuels.
Tell us more about Tecnimont S.p.A. Where is the company currently positioned in the industry?
An international ‘technology driven EPC player’ and a leader in the field of plant engineering, Tecnimont S.p.A is rooted in the pioneering experience of Italian industrial technology as it shapes the new frontiers of Engineering Innovation. We embody the contractor spirit of the Group in Engineering; Procurement & Construction of large scale projects worldwide having completed the most complicated projects globally. At Tecnimont S.p.A., we realize that Engineering and Contracting is a people business, and our people have developed great ability to engineer the new paradigm of our industry while enhancing world class mega projects in the trans
formation of natural resources. It is through their expertise, entrepreneurship and reliability, today, Tecnimont S.p.A is known for providing successful innovative solutions for tomorrow’s Engineering, Procurement and Construction. Over the years, we at TCMPL, have served major PSU clients like IOCL, HPCL, ONGC and more, along with numerous projects which we have bagged in past years.
Highlight on the unique services provided by Maire Tecnimont Group. What is it that gives you an edge over your competitors?
We are a market leader when it comes to offering polymers, urea, hydrogen, petrochemicals, fertilizers, oil & gas refining with large market hold. Maire Tecnimont Group has been a reputed name in providing technology based engineering & construction solutions to the trans formation of natural resources. As a group, we thrive on a well defined digital strategy which includes focusing on the areas of Artificial Intelligence, IoT, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Geo-spatial enterprises and Cyber Security along with embracing a smartworking culture and digital operations for across companies. Even before we were hit by the pandemic, we had adopted digitalization across domains and finalized our new smart working approach, hence we were ready to proactively react to the new scenario caused by COVID 19.
Today, TCMPL has been a part of a major digital shift and has adopted the smart working model where 100 percent of our employees are seamlessly connected digitally maintaining the same quality standards delivery output.
Tell us something about the Indian business entity Tecnimont Private Limited (TCMPL). What is the innovation model of TCMPL and how is it helping the Indian operations?
Being a Maire Tecnimont Group subsidiary, Tecnimont Private Limited (TCMPL) serves as the engineering excellence centre for India. Established in 1958, the company has its headquarters based in Mumbai with support offices in New Delhi, as well as in the Middle East, Abu Dhabi and Jeddah. Today, while most players in the industry are cutting their growth prospect amidst pandemic, we are executing projects worth 1 billion US dollar in India. We are very bullish on the Indian market and it is one of the major priority regions for us globally.
Some of the major offerings by Tecnimont Private Limited include cost optimized, worldclass Engineering Solutions, planning, and execution of complex projects. We also have a highly qualified and experienced staff of more than 2000 employees who are specialized across multidiscipline engineering, procurement, project & construction management. To add to this, Tecnimont’s full-fledged Electrical & Instrumentation Construction Division, (E&I Division) has executed more than 400 projects in the various industrial complexes related to Chemicals & Petrochemicals, Oil & Gas Refining, Power LNG, Telecommunication, Pharmaceuticals and Cement & Steel.
When it comes to the innovation model, International exposure with leading clients and our cutting-edge technology based engineering services have always kept us a head
When it comes to the EPC segment, Maire Tecnimont Group has been a reputed name in providing providing technology licensing as well as in engineering & construction solutions to the hydrocarbon processing sector
Highlight on the unique services provided by Maire Tecnimont Group. What is it that gives you an edge over your competitors?
We are a market leader when it comes to offering polymers, urea, hydrogen, petrochemicals, fertilizers, oil & gas refining with large market hold. Maire Tecnimont Group has been a reputed name in providing technology based engineering & construction solutions to the trans formation of natural resources. As a group, we thrive on a well defined digital strategy which includes focusing on the areas of Artificial Intelligence, IoT, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Geo-spatial enterprises and Cyber Security along with embracing a smartworking culture and digital operations for across companies. Even before we were hit by the pandemic, we had adopted digitalization across domains and finalized our new smart working approach, hence we were ready to proactively react to the new scenario caused by COVID 19.
Today, TCMPL has been a part of a major digital shift and has adopted the smart working model where 100 percent of our employees are seamlessly connected digitally maintaining the same quality standards delivery output.
Tell us something about the Indian business entity Tecnimont Private Limited (TCMPL). What is the innovation model of TCMPL and how is it helping the Indian operations?
Being a Maire Tecnimont Group subsidiary, Tecnimont Private Limited (TCMPL) serves as the engineering excellence centre for India. Established in 1958, the company has its headquarters based in Mumbai with support offices in New Delhi, as well as in the Middle East, Abu Dhabi and Jeddah. Today, while most players in the industry are cutting their growth prospect amidst pandemic, we are executing projects worth 1 billion US dollar in India. We are very bullish on the Indian market and it is one of the major priority regions for us globally.
Some of the major offerings by Tecnimont Private Limited include cost optimized, worldclass Engineering Solutions, planning, and execution of complex projects. We also have a highly qualified and experienced staff of more than 2000 employees who are specialized across multidiscipline engineering, procurement, project & construction management. To add to this, Tecnimont’s full-fledged Electrical & Instrumentation Construction Division, (E&I Division) has executed more than 400 projects in the various industrial complexes related to Chemicals & Petrochemicals, Oil & Gas Refining, Power LNG, Telecommunication, Pharmaceuticals and Cement & Steel.
When it comes to the innovation model, International exposure with leading clients and our cutting-edge technology based engineering services have always kept us a head
of competition. With the inclusive synergies between our Milan and Mumbai operations, we have been able to create a unique model for all Group Companies. While it is true that we are a 100 percent Indo-Italian Company with Technological edge that can count on the International network of Maire Tecnimont Group, at the same time play a leading role in the Indian market. This advantage is not only restricted towards the engineering services, but it also gives us an edge for delivering excellence in the supply chain of engineering services, subcontractors and suppliers along with the sustain ability of our work. We leverage our capacity for digital innovation to become “Contractor of the Future’. Our goal is to increase our ability to govern technological disruptions, market discontinuities and clients’ evolving needs, to use it for the ‘Green Initiatives’ in India.
Which are the key green projects being implemented by the green arm of Maire Tecnimont Group, NextChem in India and what are your target segments?
With NextChem being created under the fold of Maire Tecnimont, our vision is to contribute towards the global drive to support the green energy transition with most of the public and private companies working on Green Hydrogen Green Chemistry, or Circular Economy initiatives and more. We acknowledge that India has enormous potential in this field. We have robust daily waste generation due to high population, however, almost all the Municipal bodies are struggling to dispose of the same. With NextChem, we have an Integrated solution that is equipped to handle and create value added products out of this Municipal Solid Waste, and we can also solve the problem of its disposal which also can generate a lot of wealth.
With the Government of India keen to bring in a policy for Green Ammonia/Fertilizers in near future, there is enormous interest from our ministries, Planning commission on the same. NextChem brings a complete solution by virtue of their know how of Green Hydrogen, access to world class Ammonia Urea and Carbon capture technologies. Many Oil & Gas Private & PSU companies are looking for Decarbonization measures and the CCUs (Carbon capture & Utilization), wherein NextChem is capable to support.
Owing to abundance of agricultural land and its production, India qualifies as an ideal destinations for biofuels from biomass, however, we are still struggling for the commercially proven technologies and a professional approach. NextChem has access to the worldwide commercially proven Technology for Bio Ethanol Plants. Similarly, in the case of plastic upcycling, India has tremendous potential, and NextChem has Technology & capability to industrialize this potential. With our technological edge, we can lead as a torchbearer for this sector when it comes to providing technology and know-how to enable the energy transition through green chemistry and circular economy. We (Maire Tecnimont) are in advance discussion with some PSUs & Private Companies for the above sustainability initiatives. It is notable that last year we signed an MoU with IOCL for the Plastic Upcycling Project for which the Joint Feasibility work is under progress.
What has been your success mantra that constantly motivated you? What advice would you give to the upcoming professionals in the industry?
Teamwork is a very crucial thing in any organization. Over the years, my success mantra for the positive outcomes has been engaging my team which has also helped me through every crucial decision making process.
When it comes to my advice to young professionals, I would suggest quickly get accustomed to the changing world, which has due to consistent innovations in the field of technology has brought the countries nearer. Today, youngsters should strive to achieve more in technology as it will help in the overall development of the humankind.
Which are the key green projects being implemented by the green arm of Maire Tecnimont Group, NextChem in India and what are your target segments?
With NextChem being created under the fold of Maire Tecnimont, our vision is to contribute towards the global drive to support the green energy transition with most of the public and private companies working on Green Hydrogen Green Chemistry, or Circular Economy initiatives and more. We acknowledge that India has enormous potential in this field. We have robust daily waste generation due to high population, however, almost all the Municipal bodies are struggling to dispose of the same. With NextChem, we have an Integrated solution that is equipped to handle and create value added products out of this Municipal Solid Waste, and we can also solve the problem of its disposal which also can generate a lot of wealth.
With the Government of India keen to bring in a policy for Green Ammonia/Fertilizers in near future, there is enormous interest from our ministries, Planning commission on the same. NextChem brings a complete solution by virtue of their know how of Green Hydrogen, access to world class Ammonia Urea and Carbon capture technologies. Many Oil & Gas Private & PSU companies are looking for Decarbonization measures and the CCUs (Carbon capture & Utilization), wherein NextChem is capable to support.
Owing to abundance of agricultural land and its production, India qualifies as an ideal destinations for biofuels from biomass, however, we are still struggling for the commercially proven technologies and a professional approach. NextChem has access to the worldwide commercially proven Technology for Bio Ethanol Plants. Similarly, in the case of plastic upcycling, India has tremendous potential, and NextChem has Technology & capability to industrialize this potential. With our technological edge, we can lead as a torchbearer for this sector when it comes to providing technology and know-how to enable the energy transition through green chemistry and circular economy. We (Maire Tecnimont) are in advance discussion with some PSUs & Private Companies for the above sustainability initiatives. It is notable that last year we signed an MoU with IOCL for the Plastic Upcycling Project for which the Joint Feasibility work is under progress.
What has been your success mantra that constantly motivated you? What advice would you give to the upcoming professionals in the industry?
Teamwork is a very crucial thing in any organization. Over the years, my success mantra for the positive outcomes has been engaging my team which has also helped me through every crucial decision making process.
When it comes to my advice to young professionals, I would suggest quickly get accustomed to the changing world, which has due to consistent innovations in the field of technology has brought the countries nearer. Today, youngsters should strive to achieve more in technology as it will help in the overall development of the humankind.