Industrial visit 2011

The students of 1st and 2nd year PGDM (ABM) went for their annual industrial visit during 16th and 17th September. The companies included in the itinerary were MITICOOL, RAJKOT APMC, RAJKOT DISTRICT COOPERATIVE BANK, BALAJI WAFERS AND NAMKEEN, AND EXCELCROP Ltd.

The industry first visited was MITTICOOL the brainchild of Shri Mansookbhai Prajapati, who was ranked as the 7th best innovator in the world by Forbes magazine. Mitticool specializes in producing non electric, ecofriendly fridges aimed at the middle and lower classes. They also produce water filters and nonstick Tavas made of clay and, other pottery related items. Students were shown the production processes of the products and also learned about the marketing problems faced by Mitticool.

They then progressed to the Rajkot APMC, which was established in 1966. The major commodities traded at the APMC are cotton, spices, grains and vegetables and sesame. Here they studied about the management structure adopted by the APMC and also were informed about the transport and storage facilities provided by the APMC. The senior students were able to clear their queries on the supply chain management and trading auction procedures adopted by the traders. The Rajkot District cooperative bank was the next destination. This Bank has received The Best Performance Award from the Honorable Prime Minister and Finance Minister, 5 times in a row. Having 133 fully computerized branches , out of which 74 branches provide safe deposit locker facilities which function 24 hours a day, this bank provides bank loans to farmers and self-help groups.

They run training programs for farmers to teach them to utilize their resources in the most optimum manner. The bank has financed 458 PACS, has a recovery rate of 99.91% and has issued 2.17 lack kisan credit cards. At Balaji wafers and namkeens, a short educational film detailing the production processes of their various products at their various plant was shown, after which an interactive session with the managing director Mr. Chandubhai Virani was held. The queries and doubts of the students were cleared and a discussion of their marketing strategy was conducted. A walk through of the plant was also carried out. The last company called on was Excelcrop Ltd. There the students were given a whole tour over their entire operation in Bhavnager. The tour lasted 5 hours and every activity conducted in their factory campus was covered, including the quality control lab, waste management plant, bio products and packaging plant. The guide has a thorough seminar on the history and activities of the company. The students of Udayabhansighji regional institute of cooperative management are very thankful to the managements of all the institutions visited for the opportunity. We would also thank the Regional Director Dr. A.K. Astana and our programme director Mrs.

Neelu Pandey for their support and direction. And lastly to God almighty for a peaceful and hassle free journey.