DR. CR Parthasarathy: Marking Excellenceas an Exceptional Geotechnical Expert
Dr. CR Parthasarathy
Founder
With his rich international experience in Site Characterization & Deep Foundation testing, Dr CR Parthasarathy established Sarathy Geotech & Engineering Services Pvt ltd in Bangalore, in 2007 to provide geotechnical and testing services for both offshore and on land constructions in India and abroad. As a technical partner of Pile Dynamics USA, Parthasarathy is instrumental in promoting quality testing of deep foundations in Indiaand authorised trainer for high strain dynamic pile testing.
Adding to his list of achievements, Partha sarathy is also the Fellow of Indian Geo technical Society(IGS),Elected National Executive Member of IGS for three consecutive terms and currently the Chairman, IGS-Bengaluru Chapter. CEO Insights has got this opportunity to interact with Dr CR Parthasarathy highlights upon his journey, from bringing up Sarathy Geotech & Engineering Services, from idea to inception and beyond.
What inspired you to establish Sarathy Geotech & Engineering Services? How has your company’s journey been so far and what challenges did you encounter during this journey?
About 13 years ago, India did not have standalone geotechnical consulting solutions, as a result the country depended mostly on overseas consultants (particularly the oil and gas industry). This inspired me to setup an organization locally that could address the stumbling blocks of the industry. In 2007, we established Sarathy Geotech & Engg Services, an innovative Geotechnical company (complemented by Geological and Geo-Physical Services) driven by values to provide top class solutions with value addition to customers that are backed by best practices.
The journey of the firm was not without challenges, particularly when it came to making decisions on high value projects. However, Sarathy has now emerged as one of the best geotechnical service companies in a short span of time. While we have serviced projects in nearly 20 countries, local companies have been established in Nigeria, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia.
Some of challenges are seasonality of business and volatility of sectors. We have de risked such situations by focusing on several geographies and serving various sectors, thus maintaining our growth trajectory.
Kindly throw some light on the various engineering services that you offer. Also, explain about the unique benefits that customers can
avail from these services.
Sarathy Geotech and Engineering Services provide Geo-Technical, Geophysical and Engineering Services for industries like Oil and Gas (Offshore,Near Shore and On land), Offshore wind energy, Refineries, Real Estate and Infrastructure, Railway Infrastructure including Metro Rails, Renewable, Energy (Solar, Wind and Geothermal), Mining, Dams (Coastal Reserviors,Earth, Gravity and Tailing Dams) and Marine Infrastructure.
A.We have complete deep foundation testing solution, using products of Pile Dynamics Inc., USA and Yjack Malaysia as our technological partners.
B.Geotechnical Investigation using newer technology/methods (viz., high end multipurpose drilling rig imported from TMG manufacturers, USA)
C.Advanced testing laboratory services(eg, Cyclic Triaxial Testing for liquefaction assessment)
D.Advanced Geomechanics using numerical methods (using high end software ex, Plaxis 3D)
E.Point services for geotechnical solutions. We have consistently exceeded customer expectations by our solutions. This has been possible by the excellent staff and consultants that have expertise and experience working on projects across India, SE Asia, Middle East and Africa.
Tell us about the most challenging project you have undertaken so far? How did you address the hurdles encompassing it and what did you learn from it?
During peak Covid times, we, at Sarathy Geotech and Engineering Services have delivered overseas projects (oil and gas) as well as domestic projects (eg. Metrorail), and continue to deliver projects on high speed rail, not with standing office lockdown and multiple personnel being infected both in wave 1 and wave 2. We demonstrated our Organization's resilience when few SGES personnel who like warriors took up responsibilities beyond their call of duty. These testing times have made us realize that empathizing with and caring for the employees beyond professional boundaries has made them feel safe at SGES,increased their commitment towards the customers and the organization.
Diversifying services to different sectors and in different geographies derisks business vagaries. Keeping abreast of times, bringing in newer technologies, grooming upcoming leaders automatically drive growth at all levels and all functions.
Tell us about the professional experiences and expertise of your team. How are you updating yourself with the latest technologies/industry trends in order to make your company reach its future goals?
As the generation is changing, there is vacuum between experience and large talent pool of generation Z. Skill development ensures trained resources and we have been doing our best to disseminate knowledge for better Geotechnics. As a team, we have collective geotechnical experience of more than 200 years. Our talent pool holds Post graduates and PhDs from IIT, USA universities and local universities. With the rich experience on national and international projects/clients, we benchmark the standards, bring in newer technologies.
At Sarathy Geotech and Engineering Services, our testing facilities have been accredited to ISO-17025 standards, while the processes are
Sarathy Geotech and Engineering Services provide Geo-Technical, Geophysical and Engineering Services for industries like Oil and Gas (Offshore,Near Shore and On land), Offshore wind energy, Refineries, Real Estate and Infrastructure, Railway Infrastructure including Metro Rails, Renewable, Energy (Solar, Wind and Geothermal), Mining, Dams (Coastal Reserviors,Earth, Gravity and Tailing Dams) and Marine Infrastructure.
A.We have complete deep foundation testing solution, using products of Pile Dynamics Inc., USA and Yjack Malaysia as our technological partners.
B.Geotechnical Investigation using newer technology/methods (viz., high end multipurpose drilling rig imported from TMG manufacturers, USA)
C.Advanced testing laboratory services(eg, Cyclic Triaxial Testing for liquefaction assessment)
D.Advanced Geomechanics using numerical methods (using high end software ex, Plaxis 3D)
E.Point services for geotechnical solutions. We have consistently exceeded customer expectations by our solutions. This has been possible by the excellent staff and consultants that have expertise and experience working on projects across India, SE Asia, Middle East and Africa.
Tell us about the most challenging project you have undertaken so far? How did you address the hurdles encompassing it and what did you learn from it?
During peak Covid times, we, at Sarathy Geotech and Engineering Services have delivered overseas projects (oil and gas) as well as domestic projects (eg. Metrorail), and continue to deliver projects on high speed rail, not with standing office lockdown and multiple personnel being infected both in wave 1 and wave 2. We demonstrated our Organization's resilience when few SGES personnel who like warriors took up responsibilities beyond their call of duty. These testing times have made us realize that empathizing with and caring for the employees beyond professional boundaries has made them feel safe at SGES,increased their commitment towards the customers and the organization.
As a team, we have collective geotechnical experience of more than 200 years. Our talent pool holds post graduates and PHDs from IIT USA universities and local universities. With the rich experience on national and international projects/clients, we benchmark the standards, bring in newer technologies
Diversifying services to different sectors and in different geographies derisks business vagaries. Keeping abreast of times, bringing in newer technologies, grooming upcoming leaders automatically drive growth at all levels and all functions.
Tell us about the professional experiences and expertise of your team. How are you updating yourself with the latest technologies/industry trends in order to make your company reach its future goals?
As the generation is changing, there is vacuum between experience and large talent pool of generation Z. Skill development ensures trained resources and we have been doing our best to disseminate knowledge for better Geotechnics. As a team, we have collective geotechnical experience of more than 200 years. Our talent pool holds Post graduates and PhDs from IIT, USA universities and local universities. With the rich experience on national and international projects/clients, we benchmark the standards, bring in newer technologies.
At Sarathy Geotech and Engineering Services, our testing facilities have been accredited to ISO-17025 standards, while the processes are
adhered to ISO and OHSAS requirements. We are working on remote testing capability using site link technology, where in the engineer in the office can monitor testing in several places simultaneously. We have also implemented indigenously developed software applications where the data can be viewed in real time on the mobile to monitor the progress.We believe, investing in latest softwares adds value to the overall objectives. We also have setup mobile laboratory to ensure quick turn around time.
In your professional journey so far, which are the milestones that bestowed you with utmost satisfaction? Also, who do you look up to for inspiration or mentorship?
We have been recognized with awards like Times to Leap Award MSME 2020 for best geotechnical services of the year by Hon. Minister Shri Pratap Chandra Sarangi, India Growth Champion 2021 by Economic Times, Top SME Business of the year 2021 by Great Companies and many more. With all the recognitions, winning international clients, delivering large scale projects outside of India, expanding business to different geographies and establishing local presence in Indonesia have been some of my major milestones over the year.
Sarathy Geotech and Engineering Services took off from a living room, and we have scaled our revenues 25 times since inception without external funding. We have reached over 100 employees, with very low attrition.
When it comes to inspirations, I get inspired by the wisdom and humility of my professors and the enthusiasm and drive from my younger colleagues in the organization. While I have come a long way, I still look at myself as a student, taking every opportunity to learn newer things and contribute to the industries through professional bodies.
Are you coming up with innovations or upgradations to enhance the quality of your existing services? What is the future roadmap of the firm?
At Sarathy Geotech and Engineering Services, we have introduced newer and latest technology in deep foundation testing (viz,. Shaft quantitative Identification device-SQUID, Shaft area profile evaluator-SHAPE and patented Yjack system for Bidirectional testing). We have also added high end multiple purpose drilling rigs as asset, currently deployed on High speed Rail project. Adding to this, we have introduced sensors calibration as a commercial service recently. We believe sector wise, industries will grow several folds in the coming decade and there is immense potential for engineering services. Hence, we are mentoring young talents who are prospects leaders.
Sarathy Geotech and Engineering Services will always be the epitome of sincerity, technical brilliance and innovation. Powered by a dedicated team, we are continuously striving to be a partner of choice for every customer that we serve. I sincerely thank all our current and former employees, clients, consultants, suppliers and well-wishers for their incessant support. We will be humble, and cherish others'achievement. Only smart and hard work lead to success, there are no shortcuts.
In the years to come, we would like to have the largest National testing services with advanced testing facilities, be the largest geotechnical company having pan India presence, develop biggest RnD facility, provide one stop solutions to all geotechnical needs, create a global delivery model with local establishment, and implement newer methods/technology to be the first mover. We are also looking forward to geographical expansion across Middle East Saudi, UAE, Qatar & Far East Malaysia & Vietnam.
While, we are revisiting our business model, we are also acquiring required skills and knowledge in implementing the strategies and system for an accelerated growth. The next version of the goal is on the works and will be released soon for a newer SGES in the coming years.
In your professional journey so far, which are the milestones that bestowed you with utmost satisfaction? Also, who do you look up to for inspiration or mentorship?
We have been recognized with awards like Times to Leap Award MSME 2020 for best geotechnical services of the year by Hon. Minister Shri Pratap Chandra Sarangi, India Growth Champion 2021 by Economic Times, Top SME Business of the year 2021 by Great Companies and many more. With all the recognitions, winning international clients, delivering large scale projects outside of India, expanding business to different geographies and establishing local presence in Indonesia have been some of my major milestones over the year.
Sarathy Geotech and Engineering Services took off from a living room, and we have scaled our revenues 25 times since inception without external funding. We have reached over 100 employees, with very low attrition.
When it comes to inspirations, I get inspired by the wisdom and humility of my professors and the enthusiasm and drive from my younger colleagues in the organization. While I have come a long way, I still look at myself as a student, taking every opportunity to learn newer things and contribute to the industries through professional bodies.
Are you coming up with innovations or upgradations to enhance the quality of your existing services? What is the future roadmap of the firm?
At Sarathy Geotech and Engineering Services, we have introduced newer and latest technology in deep foundation testing (viz,. Shaft quantitative Identification device-SQUID, Shaft area profile evaluator-SHAPE and patented Yjack system for Bidirectional testing). We have also added high end multiple purpose drilling rigs as asset, currently deployed on High speed Rail project. Adding to this, we have introduced sensors calibration as a commercial service recently. We believe sector wise, industries will grow several folds in the coming decade and there is immense potential for engineering services. Hence, we are mentoring young talents who are prospects leaders.
Sarathy Geotech and Engineering Services will always be the epitome of sincerity, technical brilliance and innovation. Powered by a dedicated team, we are continuously striving to be a partner of choice for every customer that we serve. I sincerely thank all our current and former employees, clients, consultants, suppliers and well-wishers for their incessant support. We will be humble, and cherish others'achievement. Only smart and hard work lead to success, there are no shortcuts.
In the years to come, we would like to have the largest National testing services with advanced testing facilities, be the largest geotechnical company having pan India presence, develop biggest RnD facility, provide one stop solutions to all geotechnical needs, create a global delivery model with local establishment, and implement newer methods/technology to be the first mover. We are also looking forward to geographical expansion across Middle East Saudi, UAE, Qatar & Far East Malaysia & Vietnam.
While, we are revisiting our business model, we are also acquiring required skills and knowledge in implementing the strategies and system for an accelerated growth. The next version of the goal is on the works and will be released soon for a newer SGES in the coming years.