India is on an exciting journey to become a $5 trillion economy. One of the most significant aspects of this dream is the growth of the country’s manufacturing industry, which is entering its golden age. With 17 percent of the nation’s GDP share and over 27.3 million workers, the manufacturing sector has the potential to export goods worth $1 trillion by 2030. It is on the road to becoming a major global hub. The Indian government aims to increase the share of manufacturing in the economy's output to 25 percent by 2025.
It’s beyond any doubt that this ambitious goal calls for focused initiatives from the private sector to leverage this enormous business opportunity in alignment with this great vision. Embracing this vision and opportunity with both arms and delivering on its promises have been a significant aspect of Touchwood Engineering & Projects success. Established in 2013, Touchwood today is one of the fastest-growing companies in the country across diverse verticals, including Construction, Consultancy, and Manufacturing.
A Journey of Innovation - A Career Spanning Various Frontiers
The story of Touchwood is also the story of Manoj Pant, CEO & Managing Director of the company. The company was born out of Manoj’s passion for business leadership, matchless professional experience of more than four decades, and his will to deliver on commitments.
“My professional career began in 1982 as an engineer with Indoswiss Time Limited, Gurugram. The early stages posed formidable challenges, as they tested my ability to efficiently manage operations amidst limited resources and a reliance on external countries and resources. However, it's crucial to recognize that challenges are opportunities for growth and innovation, and the solutions take dedication and perseverance”, says Manoj Pant, CEO & Managing Director of the company.
Manoj accumulated invaluable experience and honed my skills across multiple functions by working with companies like QH Talbros Group, Hero Honda Motors, XO Infotech, and Starion India. His relentless commitment led him to establish 24 manufacturing plants as a founding member throughout his career, each contributing to his journey of accomplishments and growth—a strong testament to the power of determination, adaptability, and the pursuit of excellence.
His career trajectory then took him to Starion India, a subsidiary of LG Electronics. Starion initiated the manufacturing of CDMA/GSM Mobile Phones for LG in 2005 (Nokia started manufacturing in India in 2006), which marked a significant milestone as the first unit in India's mobile manufacturing industry. He subsequently assumed key leadership roles as Director of Manufacturing and Consultant in several mobile phone manufacturing companies. Some notable companies include Celltech Electronics, Dongwoo Electronics (Korean Establishment) and Maxx Mobile Communications.
“After dedicating a substantial portion of my life to diverse industries and organizations, I made the heartfelt decision to establish my own company with an aim to contribute to our nation's growth by creating employment opportunities and fostering innovation”, Manoj adds. His wealth of experience became a reservoir of solutions, allowing Touchwood to address a myriad of challenges with confidence and ingenuity and eventually win the trust and confidence of its customers.
Experience Enables Diversification
Touchwood began its journey by manufacturing PET Bottles and Disposable Items in addition to Consultancy services.
Without much delay, the company, under the aegis of Manoj, ventured into the realm of Industrial and Commercial Construction, undertaking turnkey projects including PEB Shades, RCC Buildings, IT Infrastructure, and Educational Institutions. Later, Touchwood expanded its horizons by delving into the manufacturing and machining sector, focusing on Gears, Transmission Systems, and Machine Parts, and operating from its facility in Ranjangaon, Pune.
“My extensive experience has played a pivotal role in managing various business verticals, a journey I embarked on through diverse roles, responsibilities, projects, and tasks. Each vertical has been meticulously established, step by step, systematically”, explains Manoj. Today, Touchwood’s clientele comprises major multinational corporations based in countries like Germany, Italy, and Switzerland—a testament to the company’s commitment to quality and excellence.
Delving deeper into the company’s approach reveals quickly that this success is no coincidence, but an outcome of a well-disciplined, client-centric approach. Touchwood keenly focuses on understanding its clients' unique requirements and challenges. This personalized approach helps the company tailor-make its services to meet client-specific demands. Further, it leads to trust and satisfaction among clients, encouraging them to return for future projects. In addition to this, every project Touchwood undertakes propagates through open and transparent communication, which is the cornerstone of any successful relationship. By keeping clients informed about project progress, challenges, and milestones, the company ensures providing them with an overwhelming experience.
Staying Ahead by Embracing Adaptability and Innovation
Touchwood’s approach has a sense of obsession with delivering high-quality results consistently and exceeding the expectations of its clients and partners. While it’s beyond doubt that exceeding expectations demands a lot and then some, the company’s extreme dedication to quality churns out that extra ounce of confidence in its capabilities. However, quality makes sense only when delivered within the project timelines. With 40 years of experience, Manoj is acquainted with this fact more than anyone else.
His leadership has also played a pivotal role in fostering enduring relationships with customers and business partners, thus driving Touchwood Engineering and Projects' growth and solidifying its reputation in the industry. He says, “I have instilled a culture of punctuality and efficiency within the organization. Delivering projects on time or even ahead of schedule demonstrates reliability and professionalism—key factors in building lasting relationships”, Quality deliverables on time imbued with intact and transparent service experience is the ideal recipe for success. The repeat business and referrals Touchwood gets is a case in point.
However, given that challenges are inevitable in any project, how does a company maintain such a level of consistency in delivering top-notch solutions and overwhelming experiences? The answer stems from Touchwood’s experts-powered team, their mindset of looking at challenges as opportunities for innovation and problem-solving, and the technologies and tools at their disposal. A cohesive and motivated team is essential for delivering exceptional results and outstanding customer service.
Touchwood’s team is regularly exposed to training sessions imparting knowledge and skills crucial for the smooth execution of solutions and operation of its diverse business ventures. The company has established a dedicated business center team managing day-to-day operations to ensure seamless operations. A centralized controlling team also coordinates with these business centers, fulfilling essential requirements.
Touchwood is at the cutting-edge of technological advancements thanks to its Research and Development wing. The company invests significantly in research and development, exploring emerging technologies and methodologies. This proactive approach allows the team to anticipate trends and integrate cutting-edge innovations into the company's manufacturing & construction processes. Moreover, Touchwood embraces agile manufacturing practices, allowing the company to quickly adapt to changes in market demands. Flexibility in production processes and a responsive supply chain enable the company to adjust its strategies swiftly in response to emerging trends or customer preferences.
Staying Ahead in Manufacturing: Embracing Adaptability & Innovation
Going forward, Manoj aspires to diversify Touchwood’s portfolio even more by exploring new avenues within the manufacturing and construction sectors. This includes venturing into renewable energy projects, eco-friendly infrastructure, and innovative construction materials. He is also keen to expand the company’s operations globally and collaborate with international partners.
Touchwood is also in the process of establishing a state-of-the-art electronics unit specializing in Surface Mount Technology (SMT) cards. “In our continuous pursuit of innovation and growth, we are thrilled to announce our upcoming venture in Dholera, Gujarat. Anticipated to commence operations by 2025, this initiative is not just a business endeavor; it's a step towards shaping the future of electronics manufacturing in India”, explains Manoj, who clearly envisions making a positive impact in both manufacturing & construction sectors.
“My vision as the Managing Director & CEO revolves around transformative change. By spearheading sustainable construction practices, embracing innovative technologies, investing in skill development, diversifying our offerings, and engaging in community-centric projects, I believe Touchwood Engineering and Projects can play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the manufacturing and construction sectors”, concludes Manoj.
Manoj Kumar Pant, CEO & Managing Director, Touchwood Engineering & Projects
Manoj is an exceptional business leader with more than four decades of professional experience across diverse businesses. He accumulated invaluable experience and honed my skills across multiple functions by working with companies like QH Talbros Group, Hero Honda Motors, XO Infotech, and Starion India. His relentless commitment led him to establish 24 manufacturing plants as a founding member throughout his career, each contributing to his journey of accomplishments and growth
.jpg "Technology in Cancer Care: A story of evolving paradigms")
.jpg "Bringing Shop Floor to Manufacturer's palm: Smart Factory Solutions for tomorrow")
