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Building dreams brick by brick
Real estate magnate, technocrat and a builder who keeps his word are a few of the epithets he is known by. With residential areas, shopping malls, power and hospitality sectors, and now also IT parks to his credit, Sunil Mantri is making a mark on the landscape of many cities. His secret on putting his fingers in many pies with perfect ease
Mantri Realty to invest Rs 1,300 cr in six IT parks (The Economic Times, Mumbai); Mantri Group gets nod for IT SEZ (The Times of India , Nagpur ); Mantri plans Rs 2,400-cr foray into power (The Times of India , Mumbai); Mantri plans Rs 2,500-cr foray into hospitality (Business Standard)
These were only a few of the headlines that screamed relentlessly this year, eulogising the phenomenal rise of Mumbai-based realty major, the Mantri Group. What is the secret behind this exceptional growth and diversification? We speak to the man behind this enterprise, Sunil Mantri, Chairman and Managing Director.
Contrary to his last name which means minister and is derived from the Sanskrit root man meaning to think', we find that this 46-year-old businessman is not just a thinker but a doer as well; what with the gamut of roles he plays as director of Alliance Finstock Ltd and vice-president of the Maharashtra Chamber of Housing Industry to name a few. Over a steaming cup of coffee, Sunil Mantri chats about his life and dreams.
Business begins at home
I helped to file the family's tax returns when I was still in the tenth standard and opted for Commerce in college. I would go to college in the morning and then attend to the family textile business. In those days, the textile market was extremely competitive and we had to sometimes sell stock at cost or just two per cent profit. There were even times when I used to carry bales of textile on my scooter to deliver goods to the retailers.
We tried to do things differently by focussing on the supply of uniforms to various factories around Pune, where we were based. We encouraged the industries to form co-operative credit societies so that they could supply materials to their workers on credit. By working on creating a new market with benefits for customers and innovative payment options, we became India 's number one distributor for Binny's.
A natural leader
I was always the class representative in college. I took part in the college elections, and played an active part in gatherings and picnics. All these things helped me develop leadership qualities speaking with confidence, convincing people of my view-point and holding an audience together. I learnt so much then, which I apply now as well to life and business.
