Born in 1961 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, this man pursued a degree in chemical engineering. He began his career as a project engineer at Zydus Lifesciences(formerly known as Cadila Laboratories) with a mere salary of Rs 850. With sheer hard work and determination, the man clinched a place in the list of billionaires of India, having a net worth of Rs 24781 crore as per Forbes as of December 24, 2024. He is none other than Sandeep Engineer, the chairman and managing director of Astral Limited.
Sandeep worked as a project engineer for nearly two years before beginning his entrepreneurial journey in 1981. He started by distributing flavoured isabgol, but unfortunately, it failed. The business struggled due to retailers seeking credit, which resulted in delayed payments and subsequent losses. Ultimately, he was forced to close the venture, incurring a loss of Rs 5,000. Later, he embarked on a new venture under the mentorship of Pankaj Patel, Chairman of Cadila Healthcare. With Shri Chemicals, he focused on the production of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs). However, the company faced significant quality control issues, leading to another setback in his entrepreneurial journey.
A decade later, Sandeep successfully transitioned into manufacturing plastic pipes with Astral Pipes. He effectively convinced India’s plumbing community of the advantages of plastic pipes over traditional metal ones. Astral Pipes, based in Ahmedabad, has also diversified into producing adhesives and sealants. The company has further boosted its brand visibility by partnering with popular actors as its brand ambassadors.
In 2010, Sandeep’s sons, Kairav and Saumya, played a pivotal role in propelling the business forward, navigating challenges and driving growth. That same year, Astral Pipes gained widespread recognition when its product was featured in Salman Khan’s blockbuster film, Dabangg. The exposure led to a significant surge in sales. The brand received further endorsement when actor Ranveer Singh also publicly backed Astral Pipes, contributing to its increased popularity.
As reported by Navbharattimes, Astral Pipes witnessed remarkable growth, with its annual revenue skyrocketing from Rs 60 crore in 2007 to a staggering Rs 5,100 crore by March 2023, representing an impressive expansion of over 85 times in just 16 years.
