Proprietor of RPL Fabricators, Rajnish Lawande, talks about the world of sign boards and flex printing and his 28-year-long journey with his business that had its start in 1991. He talks about the struggles and sweat put into building RPL Fabricators to this point
BHARATI PAWASKAR
Accepting challenges with a positive attitude, continuing hard work with dedication and displaying a ‘never-say-no-spirit’ are three steps that take one to climb the ladder of success. Rajnish Lawande, proprietor of RPL Fabricators is an ideal example of how these qualities can lead a humble entrepreneur like him to become a top player in the state in less than three decades.
One of the leading manufacturers of all types of display boards including glow sign boards and dealers in acrylic sheets, polycarbonate sheets, foam sheets, aluminium composite panel, vinyl stickers, glow in dark, reflective radium vinyl, double side tapes, transfer tapes, hi-bond etc - RPL Fabricators kick-started way back in 1991 when the sector was still in infancy and most of the things had to be done manually.
Entering as the provider for sign boards and flex printing 28 years ago, Rajnish recalls choosing this line when there were very few people who would opt for it. The sign boards were all made of acrylic then and since there were no computers in those days, it was all manual work. But hard work paid off rich dividend. And Rajnish tasted success.
This BSc graduate worked as a medical representative for seven years before he thought of kick starting his own small business, under SEU scheme, taking a loan of Rs 35,000.
“It was labour of love, all hand work - and hard. But I learnt many of the things to do myself as skilled labour was difficult to get initially. The computers came much later, in 1996. We did lot of physical work in making glow sign boards. We did it for Rs 250 per sq ft then, which has reduced to Rs 180 today,” adds Rajnish who had to travel to Mumbai to fetch his raw material.
Today things have changed drastically. Now he brings the stocks that suffices for two-three months but earlier he used to buy only 4 to 5 days stock.
The artwork had to be done manually, sitting with artists, explaining them meticulously the concept. Rajnish recalls how late Govind Naik who worked for Gomantak, did the artworks for him. Gajanan Mandrekar was also a big support.
“Those were the days when I had to train people to get my work done, as there was no one out there who could do what was actually required. Many workers have worked with me in all those years - at least 700 of them,” states Rajnish, who first trained local Goans and then others. Starting from scratch he slept hardly for two-three hours and had to do overtime to complete orders and assignments of his clients.
“One board used to take 25 days then, now we can make 25 boards in one day,” he quips. It’s noteworthy that only he (among all others who had this business) is continuing until today in the same business, upgrading it from time to time. “I am one of the oldest players in the market as far as display sign boards are concerned. State Bank of India, LIC of India and Bharat Petroleum gave us good business and were our loyal clients back then. They supported us tremendously. My family supported too. That’s the reason why I could be what I am today,” says a humble Rajnish.
In his times, there were no manufacturers of acrylic sheets in Goa. There was only one person in Goa who made them. The dependence was on hand artwork, actual drawing and then processing. Rajnish who has been filing his returns sincerely from day one, recalls his first turnover in 1991, “It was Rs 69,000 in the first year, though now it has reached in crores. This financial year (2017-18) it touched a bench mark of Rs 4 crore. But I haven’t forgotten those days when money and resources were scarce. It was only in 1996 that I could purchase my own machinery.”
Today, his biggest clientele comes from the advertising sector, though he has worked with clients from various industries and provided acrylic, vinyle stickers, polycarbonate sheets, plotters etc. Upgrading the business helped Rajnish to keep up with the needs of time. He accepts outsourcing requests too as he has now six state-of-the-art machines with a capacity of printing capacity of 4000 sqt ft per hour.
Running the business from his two units in Panaji and a workshop in Goa Velha, RPL Fabricators cater to liquor and beverages companies. Rajnish now concentrates only on corporate assignments with over a dozen companies as his regular clients. Also the increase in the number of events and happenings reflects in his work orders and business. There is more scope for business now, he feels and adds, “Today, we can boast of our ability and capacity to deliver anything in this line - whatever is required by the client even if that is not available anywhere in Goa. We cater to those kinds of demands too and believe in speedy delivery - as life is on a fast mode now, so one has to deliver fast.”
Perfect Digiprints is the sister-concern of RPL Fabricators, started this in 2010 and Rajnish’s wife Sharmila Lawande handles it. Perfect Digiprints deals with large format solvent printing, vinyl cutting on plotter, eco solvent (6 colour) on Roland, flex, vinyl printing, glow sign boards as well as sun board mounting.”
Today he has machinery, manpower and stocks. Digitalisation has penetrated and dependence on the computer has increased.
“Those were real testing times - and we are glad, we passed those tests in flying colours,” smiles Rajnish who admits that he has tried everything and now reached the peak. There’s nothing to do more now except sit back and relax, enjoy life, travel and just look at what has been achieved in three decades.
With his son, studying computer engineering, Rajnish wishes to be the wind beneath his wings.
“Let’s see what his dreams and aspirations are,” says this doting father who has a word of advice for youth.
“It’s a skill based job and labour oriented business and that may be the reason why very few want to enter this field. But there is never ending work, limitless scope, and sure growth. Only thing one has to do is hard work and little investment. There’s no need to invest in big machines. One can outsource and get things done, so no major capital investment is necessary. New young entrepreneurs can take up the challenges and touch the horizons. Only sky is the limit,” Rajnish concludes.
