NICHEM SOLUTIONS
BUILDING NEW POSSIBILIITIES FOR A BETTER FUTURE
Nichem Solutions is a speciality products manufacturer that creates items for both industrial and public consumption. It develops non-toxic and environmentally friendly products for agriculture, drinking water purification, polymers, paints, home and personal care, disinfection, and consumer use. Nichem adheres to the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System Standard to assure a reliable standard.
It has been providing unique solutions to the market for the past 25 years and is led by senior chemical industry specialists with over 100 years of combined experience. The firm focuses on merging science, understanding, and creativity to re-imagine, re-think, and re-engineer what is necessary to improve people’s lives.
THE EARLY STAGES OF GROWTH
Nichem’s origins can be traced back to the 1990s when Mr. Rajan B Raje (Founder & CEO) was Willet International’s Indian Managing Representative. He was in Singapore when he met Mr. Shashi Shah, his previous partner. Mr. Shah persuaded Mr. Raje to start his own business, and Mr. Raje launched Advanced Agrotech, changing his career path. Mr. Raje has over 37 years of industry experience, with a track record of managing teams to succeed and a thorough understanding of business P&L. The partnership, however, was short-lived; in 2014, they separated due to ideological differences.
After parting ways, Mr. Raje renamed it Nichem Solutions and welcomed a business philosopher and mentor, Prof VC Malshe (CTO) and his son Aniket Malshe (Director). Prof. Malshe heads the R&D of Nichem and is the mastermind behind its products. His vast experience in identifying real-world issues and inventing products to meet market demands has been a powerful catalyst. Aniket is in charge of marketing and finance, and he helps take prudent risks to build a strong team. He is a dedicated technologist with a strong interest in software development. Nichem recently embarked on a brand-building initiative, and Aniket is heading it to help the company look at this from a broader perspective.
Over the years, the trio has instilled professionalism, built infrastructures, and developed people’s skills. “Coming from a professional background, we’ve always wanted our company to be professional,” Mr. Raje explains. Nichem has a vast product portfolio with over 150 items. Its software-driven infrastructure and professionalism have aided in keeping up with the rapid speed of innovations.
KEEPING THE EDGES SHARP
Technical expertise and lateral thinking have always been Nichem’s steppingstones. They have helped in diversifying its portfolio, fostering skill development and growing a strong footing in the global market. This aptitude is bolstered by an emphasis on the value of strengthening its edges. Since it deals in specialised products, technologies and chemicals, Nichem has a dedicated R&D centre and application lab for product development. Creating niche products has been its forte.
Its compound technical expertise and strong network have catalysed new ideas of disruptive innovation. Nichem also has a dedicated Quality Control division to ensure an industrial-grade quality in products. The division coordinates with and R&D and others (Production, Purchase, Stores, Dispatch, Sales, and HR) to uphold an overall international quality and standard.
The analytical model reflects the expertise Prof. Malshe brings to the table. “We ensure to invest back 15% of the profit earned every year in strengthening our R&D & New Product development,” he avers. He was GM of R&D at Ion Exchange and retired as Head & Prof. of Paint Technology from ICT, Mumbai. He is a versatile scientist with strong reputation in Chemical Industry. Frankly, his innovative thinking powers the company’s competitive edges and makes them unique. With his expertise, Nichem always doesn’t have to develop new innovations. Instead, it modernizes existing technology to make them more effective and marketable. Even after 25 years, it has technology that aren’t copied.
TRUSTED BY STAKEHOLDERS
Despite being an MSME, Nichem has been vigilant in investing time and resources in upgrading itself and embraced new practices and systems for growth and financial discipline. Stating this, aligning with new trends has attracted an eminent base of stakeholders. It acknowledges the importance of everyone (suppliers, mentors/consultants, customers and employees) and treats their views and suggestions for organizational growth with respect. Working on this holistic approach, Nichem has made a sound presence amongst its customers.
The Company primarily operates in the B2B segment and is associated with many national and international magnates such as Eureka Forbes, Hamilton Housewares, Cello Products, Bajaj, Godrej, Unilever, Dow Agro, Astec Lifesciences, S Amit & Co., etc. It has also worked with Research Scientists from reputed Agri Universities & Research Center pan India as well as in the US, Kenya, Canada, Sri Lanka, etc.
Across all associations, it has ensured equal transparency, quality, technical support, problem solving and empathy, be it partners or customers. Its comprehensive model, along with an inventive, agile and passionate mindset, upholds its good faith amongst clients and trust in the speciality chemicals segment. Nichem also partners with large distributors to promote its products pan India and overseas.
UNBEATEN BY THE PANDEMIC
The COVID-19 inflicted a lot of damage to the industrial sector, but it didn’t stop Nichem. Because disinfectants are one of its product verticals, it operated flawlessly during the lockdown. Software systems aided its operations, ensuring that it was always in business with one of its verticals. Nichem designed a remarkable disinfection line that was in high demand from wholesalers in the U.S., Canada, the U.A.E., and Mexico. Mr. Raje joyfully says, “We achieved growth of roughly 30% year on year, with exports contributing 50%.” Nichem has moulded itself with time, which helped in developing unique disinfection technologies during the pandemic.
A COMMUNITY OF SKILLED PEOPLE
Although the world is still running from the inside, businesses have not decelerated. Instead, the period has pushed them to grow innovatively. In light of that, Nichem has embraced digitization as a means of expansion. It has invested in both online and offline ways to upskill its team. It also encourages their valuable suggestion to value their importance. The leaders work with consultants to nurture the team and identify future leaders. Aniket plays a critical role here; he encourages all to think big and chase dreams.
Nichem has many people engaged for extensive periods, like Ms. Vaishali Hatkar, who handled its purchase stores and now heads its factory at Rabale. Ms. Rupali Hande oversees business development and all statutory compliances. Mr. Mr Rishikesh Choudhari, who manages R&D along with quality control. To keep its people engaged, the HR department conducts various celebrations like birthdays, festivals, Foundation Day, patriotism programmes, picnics, group dining, etc.
A PLAUSIBLE GROWTH WITH MORE TO COME
Mushrooming over the years, Nichem has achieved new heights and many prestigious accolades. In 2019, it was awarded the ‘Emerging Company Award’ by Indian Achievers Forum and ‘All India Export Excellence Award’ by The Federation of Indian Industries. In 2020, Nichem was bestowed upon the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Award’ by Indian Achievers Forum.
Apart from this, it has bagged 6 Star SOP Product Awards in the last 3 consecutive years from the SIES School of Packaging, Navi Mumbai, in Innovative Packaging. These colourful feathers paved the way for new strides. Alongwith its brand-building activity, Nichem has launched a Home & Personal Care product line. Also, it plans to make its R&D facility an independent Profit Centre and reach a turnover of ₹ 100 Cr by 2026.
A MEMOIR OF WISDOM
“Do not do business to earn money, do it because you like it! Money will follow. In the process, be methodical, thoughtful, adopt professionalism, set up systems, and learn the financial discipline and value customers and employees. All these are not expenses but are investments to set up a good organization.” – Leadership Panel, Nichem Solutions
Must Read:-
- Top 10 pharma companies in the world
- Top 10 company of India 2021
- Top 10 logistic Companies in India 2021
- Top 10 automobile companies in India 2021
- Top 10 fastest growing industries in the world 2021
- Top 10 most charitable person in the world 2021
- Top 10 logistic Companies in India – 2021
- Top 10 Company in the Corporate World
- Top 5 Most Fuel Efficient Car In India
- Start Small and go Big: Low-Investment Business Ideas 2021
- Top 10 Electrical Company in India 2021
