In the ever-evolving landscape of the NDT industry, leadership, innovation, and a clear vision are the pillars of success. Today, we had the pleasure of speaking with Mr. Sajeev Kale, Managing Director of ZChem Specialities Pvt. Ltd., a leader in specialty chemicals with a strong presence in international markets.
With a master’s degree in chemical engineering from IIT Kharagpur and further training from IIM Ahmedabad, Mr. Kale brings over 40 years of diverse industry experience—spanning major corporate roles at Asian Paints Ltd. and ITW India to his bold transition into entrepreneurship. His leadership at ZChem Specialities has not only driven technological advancements in NDT but has also played a pivotal role in expanding Indian-made products to global markets like the Middle East, ASEAN, and Africa.
In this exclusive conversation, we dive into his inspiring journey—from making the leap from corporate to entrepreneurship, navigating international business landscapes, fostering innovation, and the leadership principles that have shaped his success. Join us as we explore the insights, experiences, and future vision of Mr. Sajeev Kale.
Mr. Kale, Greetings of the day. Welcome to OnestopNDT. It’s a pleasure to have you with us. Can you introduce yourself to our wonderful audience?
I am Sajeev Kale, currently serving as Managing Director, ZChem Specialities Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore, India. By qualification, I hold a master’s degree in chemical engineering from IIT Kharagpur. I also participated in a middle management program at IIM Ahmedabad. I have in total 40 years of professional experience which includes 28 years as an employee and 12 years as an employer. My previous employers are Asian Paints Ltd. and ITW India.
Looking back on your 39+ years in the industry, what are some of the defining moments that shaped not just your career, but also your perspective on success?
I was fortunate to have handled many assignments of different facets of the businesses giving me exposure to the overall perspective of the operations. In a multinational culture, a focused and structured approach to a task has been and is my forte.
Making the leap from corporate roles at giants like Asian Paints and ITW India to starting your own company is a bold move. What sparked this entrepreneurial journey, and what were your first steps?
The entrepreneurial bug has probably been there in me hidden. Having gained corporate experience in multiple functions and considering several other factors, I started my employer journey at the appropriate time.
Every leader has their own style—how would your team describe your leadership approach? What do you think sets your leadership apart in a competitive industry like NDT?
My leadership approach is not very complicated- Clear vision, focused and disciplined approach to get to goals. Empowering the team members is an important part of my leadership style. Implementing best business practices and continual learning are important in today’s highly competitive environment and this applies to all industry domains including NDT.
Expanding into international markets like the Middle East, ASEAN, and Africa must come with its unique challenges. What lessons have you learned from taking ZChem Specialities Global?
The ‘Made in India’ brand is still a stigma outside India. Offering world-class quality products, offering combined value add to customers and of course, perseverance clubbed with quality of selling process enabled us to succeed in these geographies.
Innovation is the lifeblood of any growing company. How does ZChem Specialities keep pushing the envelope with cutting-edge NDT products?
Research is an important part of our business processes and we spend a considerable amount of resources ( manhours and money ) to keep abreast of current and emerging technology.
Managing a thriving company while maintaining a personal life is no small feat. What strategies or routines help you stay balanced and energized?
Having a good team and delegating the activities to the team and prioritizing the activities are key to staying balanced and energized. This is what I have been practising for many years
Were there any mentors or influential figures who played a pivotal role in your journey? What’s the most impactful advice or lesson they gave you?
Yes, having mentors is critical for a successful professional life and I was fortunate to have a few mentors in my journey who had a profound impact. The best advice I received was to have challenging goals with the best execution excellence to get there.
For those dreaming of starting their own ventures, especially in the manufacturing or NDT space, what’s the one piece of advice you wish someone had given you at the start?
The advice I would like to give to anyone dreaming of becoming an entrepreneur is that one should be ready to take risks.
Technology is transforming industries everywhere. What advancements do you see making the biggest impact on NDT, and how are ZChem Specialities preparing to leverage them?
The transformation in NDT due to current technological changes is not as rapid as other business domains due to its critical nature. However it is important for all of us to be vigilant of the changes. We at ZChem are fully aware of this and ready to adapt to any impending changes.
Sustainability is a hot topic today. How does ZChem Specialities integrate sustainable practices into its operations, and what impact do you hope to make?
We at ZChem ensure that sustainability is built into the business processes and our working culture.
Where do you see ZChem Specialities in the next five or ten years? What are the bold goals or projects you’re most excited about?
We would like to be among the top 5 players globally and we would like to be the natural recall for our customers in our domain. We are currently working on the global aerospace domain to get to the above goals. The US and China are the markets we eventually would like to serve in a big way.
Reflecting on your incredible journey, what personal habits or qualities do you credit the most for your sustained success and growth?
Discipline and a focused and structured way of performing tasks.
Now, let’s step outside the professional sphere for a moment. What hobbies or activities help you recharge and bring balance to your life? Any unexpected passions you’d like to share?
Playing and travelling are the two hobbies that I pursue to get charged.
The NDT industry is not without its challenges. What do you see as the major hurdles facing the industry today, and how can we collectively overcome them to drive progress?
As a positive and forward-looking person, I am not seeing any major hurdles that NDT industry is currently grappling with.
