On an equal footing - Women in Print

In the patriarchal print industry, women are battling the prejudices; plus they are proving a point. Besides being technologically sound and providing administrative differentiation, the “women in print” bring expertise to the firm’s product enhancement. Featuring: Rupinder Kaur, general manager purchase, Falcon Vacuum Pumps & Systems

15 May 2015 | By Rahul Kumar

What is your educational background?

I am a pharmacist by qualification. I have also attended a leadership training programme.

What kind of responsibilities you have at Falcon Vacuum Pumps?

I oversee the purchase functions and take care of the HR department. My focus is on team building and motivating the team.

Being a woman entrepreneur, what are the advantages and disadvantages?

Personally, I feel as a woman, I am more disciplined. In the beginning, people don’t take you seriously but later, once you get the hang of the things, they start respecting you.

Please share a brief on your experiences about your journey since you joined the organisation?

I have been in the organisation for the past one-and-a-half years. It’s still a learning phase for me. We have a healthy environment in the office. My father-in-law is my mentor. Whatever I have learnt, I have learnt from him. I also pick up tips from my colleagues.

What kind of policies you have implemented and what has been the result?

Our workforce is our biggest strength. I focus on team building. I have started organising team building classes in the factory with trainers from outside. As a result, we have found that the workforce has become more efficient and have started taking on more responsibilities. Apart from this, we have also started implementing the ‘lean manufacturing programmes’ in our factory.

What is your insight for the industry?

I feel we have immense scope in the vacuum pump industry. Currently, we manufacture pumps for the printing, packaging and pharmaceutical segments. I feel the scope of vacuum application is immense.

Your views on women participation in equipment manufacturing in Graphic Art Industry…

Women participation should be encouraged. The banking sector should also come out with schemes for women entrepreneurs. This would certainly benefit the industry and encourage more women to join the industry.

What do you do when you are not working?

When I am not in office, I like to spend my time with my kids. I love to take them out to the countryside. Apart from this, I read books on general management.