Trust all my readers are Safe, Healthy and Happy. Through my blogs we have discussed a lot on Fire Safety. I have just passed on the knowledge I have received and put it on paper for posterity. This blog of mine is dedicated to the organization where I work, the root of my knowledge on Fire Safety.
A small beginning, incremental Progress, sustained Growth to legendary proportions has been the story of Usha Fire Safety Equipments Pvt Ltd. It all started in a small way on 11th November 1988, in a small house in Veerabhadran Street, Nungambakkam Chennai. A group of ordinary people, but with an extraordinary passion to succeed began this journey. Jagadish Adapa, Jayasheel Adapa, Praveen Shetty were the founder directors of the company. They were all from Mangalore and could not even speak the local language Tamil fluently, but had the guts to launch a business and that too marketing Fire Extinguishers. The place from where they hailed Mangalore is more known for creating Hoteliers and other food related business and this was totally unheard of. A personal tragedy in the family made them to start a business on Life and Property saving.
The tragedy ignited a passion in the directors to train people in life saving activities. As a company they were the first to go to various industries and train employees on using fire extinguishers. Their extraordinary communication created a Safety training revolution in India.
Though they had launched a business, finding employees was really tough as none was willing to join a new company. When your purpose is right, then things fall into place and a dozen people trusted the organization and joined. They worked as if their life depended on it, along with the directors and soon the company started growing day by day and in every way. The first group of employees are still with the organization even today which speaks volumes of their dedication and commitment and the culture of the company. They are the ones who are running the day to day affairs of the organization.
Challenges were many and competition is always competition but yet this group worked and worked. Initially they were marketing only Fire Extinguishers and customers bought only from manufactures and not dealers which was tough to overcome. The directors themselves having worked for manufactures knew this but by their never give up attitude they overcame it and the won the trust of Customers.
As business grew the need to expand was felt and Usha Fire expanded into selling Personal Protective Equipment. When you expand both in business and personnel you need bigger space and in the year 1992 they shifted to Mahalingapuram, the house of yester year actor Jayachitra. Business growth started happening and everything was going along smoothly, till the owner decided to throw a spanner in the works by asking them to vacate. No amount of pleading, convincing, worked and now they were in a never before situation. The directors then decided that rather than renting places let us have an own place and in 1997 they moved to No 9, U.R.Nagar, Park Road Padi, which is still the registered office. Today most of their branches operate from their own place.
From a single company, today the group consists of the following companies.
- Usha Fire Safety Equipments Pvt Ltd. Chennai.
- Usha Armour Pvt Ltd, Bengaluru.
- When IT Strikes Crisis Management Pvt Ltd, Bengaluru
- Sarvam Safety Pvt Ltd, Chennai.
- Resguardo Industries Pvt Ltd. Bengaluru.
From a single city, now the group has branches in different cities across India.
Usha Fire Safety Equipments Pvt Ltd.
- Chennai ESTD 1988.
- Mangalore ESTD 1993.
- Coimbatore ESTD 1994.
- Madurai ESTD 1994.
- Hyderabad ESTD 1994.
- Mumbai ESTD 1995.
- Pondicherry ESTD 1998.
- Pune ESTD 2002.
Apart from the above branches satellite branches are in, Ranipet, Goa, Visakhapatnam.
Usha Armour Pvt Ltd.
- Bengaluru ESTD 1991.
- Gurgaon (NCR) ESTD 2007.
- Rudrapur ESTD 2007.
Sarvam Safety Pvt Ltd.
- Chennai ESTD 2013.
- Coimbatore ESTD 2013.
- Madurai ESTD 2013.
When It Strikes Crisis Management Pvt Ltd.
- Bengaluru ESTD 2002.
- Hyderabad ESTD 2002.
Resguardo Industries Pvt Ltd.
- Manufacturing unit located at Bengaluru ESTD 2013.
From being traders and dealers, to a group patenting and manufacturing 17 different life safety products is no mean task. Make in India has been given a true meaning in all respects. Starting from selling fire extinguishers, to providing solutions in Safety is a big achievement. Whatever be the industry whether big or small, National or Multinational, all have been protected by Usha Fire Safety in one way or the other. From generating a business of a few thousand rupees to more than 400 crores annually, something which is remarkable.
All this has been possible as the directors and employees believe in the Core values of the company and today from zero employees to employing more than 1500 it has been an enjoyable journey which is continuing. Many who have started their lives at Usha Fire have gone on to become much better in their lives. One unique factor of Usha Fire was to take people with minimum competence and develop them to maximum results. The one who has blossomed in Usha Fire will never fade in the sun.
Though sales and service of equipment is the major activity of the group, the love and affection has come from the training activities. The training revolution created has grown to be a separate entity in itself and I will discuss all that in my next blog.
Till then enjoy reading about a Business Organization with a Noble Intention of Saving Lives and protecting property.
Seshadri Varadarajan – 9840814353
For more information visit, www.ushafire.com, www.resguardo.com, www.sarvamsafety.com, www.ushaarmour.com
Wow. Great Shesha. Was so nice to hear about your company and founders and their passion for this business which is key to the successes. 😍😍👏👏👏
Thank you so much Venki
It’s really interesting information sir,superb
Thank you Dr.
Sesha, that is a terrific story you just told. You have wonderfully captured the passion of the founders of Usha Fire, lyrically describing the struggles, tribulations & success of Usha Fire and it’s 3-4 brothers & sisters.
Great writing, brother. More power to your keyboard
Thanks Krishna Murthy. Such words are a great motivation to me to write further. A lot in store in the coming days
Feels privileged to be a part of this organization .
yes it is Deepa. Thank you so much
It’s always a goosebumps moment to work here and to be an inspiration for all. Happy to be part of the family.
it is indeed Saravanan.
Grt to see such an organisation. Let’s this reach more heights.
Thanks Bala
Let the success saga continue. Sesha , be part of it. All the best
Thank you NS
God to know about your firm Sesha! I am reminded of the famous quote by Margaret Mead -“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.“
Thank you
Good to know about your firm Sesha! I am reminded of the famous quote by Margaret Mead -“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.“
A very impressive growth journey.
Happy and glad to have been part of Usha Fire’s journey and learnt many vital skills to save lives.
Thank you sir
Nice to know about the company you work for.
Thanks Madhav
Hi seshshu garu nicely narrated and beautifully scripted sir
Thank you ji
Quite interesting and impressive. Considering that this is a low priority item on everyone’s list – Usha has done quite well to be innovative and be of good service to the community. Thank you!
Thank you Vish
Great Sesha .
Thank you
Pioneer’s of the industry.
It takes guts to enter into a unknown business and herculean effort to make it successful .
Once again neatly narrated Sesha.
Thank you Ameen Bhai
Fascinating to know about the history of our company ..Kudos for your impeccable writing skill👏👏
Thank you so much Vishnu
Deep and lovely narrated journey of our company. I really liked this one. Your words are beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much Suresh
Feeling happy and proud to be a part of our organisation sir. Well narrated.
Thank you Thangaraj
Though, I Am not part of the Organization anymore I could not forget the memories I had with this organization which not only uplifted me in my personal career as a trainer but it has been contributing to the society in the form of life and property saving. I was so lucky to have had an opportunity in working in this organization which I think deserves a bigger appreciation and respect in the society for it’s dedicated endeavor in the field of life safety. Kudos to seshadiri sir for bringing the successful journey of the organization to the public through these educational blogs. 🙏
Thank you so much George for the wonderful words. It was indeed a pleasure for me to work with you. Cherish the moemories
Yet another feather in your cap sir ji
The entire journey wonderfully captured and presented , it is always a delight reading your blog
God bless you in abundance
Thank you so much Palani sir. It is people like you who have made the organisation what it is today
A very inspiring story of a firebrand leader. May your success stories spread like forest fire
Thank you sir. Your comments are always motivating
Dear Seshadri, nicely chronicled article of Usha group of companies. I can feel and vouch for every word in your article because I was actively associated with Usha Fire Safety Equipment Pvt limited from 1992. I could feel and foresee the future of the organisation that will grow and do wonders in the years to come. How true it has been. It is the energy of the founders who could infuse the vision in the employees and make the organisation contribute to the safety and well-being of people. Needless to see Usha Group is destined to achieve even greater laurels. Thanks once again and my best wishes to you as well in all your endeavours… Cheers
that time i
Thank you so much Dannny sir for the inspirational words
Great article sir. This would be a must read material for the new joinees at Usha fire. VERY USEFUL AND INSPIRING👍Well done.
Thank you so much Abirami
Good information and wonderfully made sir. The way you narrates this thing is awesome👍.
Thank you
Shows your passion and commitment Sesha. Keep it up
Thanks Sowmya
Empowering! Proud that you are part of this legendary journey
Thank you Smriti
Amazing & motivating history of ushafire & Sarvam Safety.
Thank you Madam. I still remember the few occasions we trained people together.