Chandra Prakash Bhartia, Managing Director of Jagdamba Polymers Limited, is a first-generation entrepreneur with over four decades of experience in manufacturing. His entrepreneurial journey began in the early 1980s with a small industrial venture, and since then he has remained committed to building sustainable manufacturing enterprises in Odisha. Under his leadership, Jagdamba Polymers Limited has grown from a modest MSME into one of Eastern India’s prominent plastic injection moulding manufacturers. The company’s brand ‘Ankur’ is widely recognised in the plastic household products segment, offering a diverse range of products designed to enhance everyday convenience. Beyond business, Bhartia strongly advocates entrepreneurship and industrial development and is actively associated with several industry bodies working to strengthen the MSME ecosystem.
What key factors have driven Ankur’s growth since its establishment in 1999?
The growth of the Ankur brand has been driven by a strong focus on quality, innovation, and customer trust. Starting with one of Odisha’s early injection moulding facilities, the company expanded from a few products to over 300 items, including household goods, furniture, and PET packaging, while maintaining global quality standards through ISO certifications and ZED Gold compliance.
How has operating one of Eastern India’s largest injection moulding facilities helped you gain a competitive advantage?
Scale is crucial for manufacturing competitiveness. Our large facility enables economies of scale, efficient production, and quick response to market demand. Continuous investments in modern machinery, lean practices, and energy-efficient technologies help maintain operational efficiency while keeping products competitively priced without compromising quality.
How did Ankur develop a strong distributor network across multiple states, and what is your vision for the brand’s future?
Ankur’s distribution network has grown through trust, long-term partnerships, consistent product quality, and reliable supply. Strong brand promotion has helped expand our presence across more than ten states, reaching both urban and rural markets. Looking ahead, our vision is to establish Ankur as a recognised pan-India household brand by expanding production capacity, strengthening distribution, and adopting advanced technologies like automation and Industry 4.0.
What are the key challenges currently facing the plastic manufacturing industry?
The plastic manufacturing sector is currently facing challenges such as volatile raw material prices and growing environmental concerns. Manufacturers must adopt sustainable practices while ensuring products remain affordable. At Jagdamba Polymers, we address these issues by investing in energy-efficient machinery, minimising material wastage through precision moulding, and implementing environmental management systems to reduce our ecological impact.
With such a large product portfolio, how do you manage innovation?
Innovation in our company is mainly guided by market feedback and consumer demand. Our distributors share valuable insights on evolving customer preferences, helping us identify opportunities for new products and improvements. By combining these market insights with strong manufacturing capabilities, we continuously expand and diversify our product range while ensuring consistent quality and affordability.
As an entrepreneur, what inspired you to venture into this line of business?
The plastics industry fascinated me due to the versatility of polymers and their ability to create practical, affordable products. With this vision, we established Jagdamba Polymers and developed the ‘Ankur’ brand, focusing on quality, innovation, and reliability. What began as a small venture has grown into a large manufacturing organization serving multiple states. For me, entrepreneurship is about creating value for consumers while generating employment and supporting industrial growth.
What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs?
Entrepreneurship requires perseverance, discipline, and a long-term vision built on quality and integrity. In today’s dynamic environment, entrepreneurs must adopt technologies like digitalisation and automation to stay competitive. Taking calculated risks with proper planning and financial discipline is essential for growth. Continuous innovation, understanding customer needs, and improving processes help businesses remain relevant. Building strong relationships with suppliers, distributors, employees, and customers also supports sustainable growth. Ultimately, entrepreneurship is about creating value, generating employment, and contributing to economic development.
