gaganyaan: From animal ear tags to ‘gaganyaan’ components, a small Bengaluru company is making its mark

From producing animal ear tags to supplying components for key ISRO projects like ‘Gaganyaan’, a small Bangalore company ‘Pushpak Aerospace and Defence’ is quietly making its mark. Remarkably, it was launched 30 years ago with zero capital by founder CS Prakash.

“I had less than Rs 100 when I started this business. Now this Rs 30 crore business is part of nation building projects like ‘Chandrayaan’, ‘Mangalyaan’, ‘Gaganyaan’ (space flight mission human) and ‘Astrosat’ (all ISRO projects),” Prakash told PTI on Friday.

Additionally, the company produces ear tags for cows and also supplies components to the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), he said.

Prakash is exhibiting his company’s products at the ongoing India Manufacturing Show-2022, the three-day event hosted by the Laghu Udyog Bharati-Karnataka and IMS Foundation at the Bangalore International Exhibition Center (BIEC) near Tumakuru Road.

According to him, the Bengaluru-based company has become one of the leading companies in designing, manufacturing and supplying aerospace components, services and solutions to its customers.

The company with a team of almost 100 people offers products for several segments.

“There are other things we do despite being a small company. The company has achieved ‘NADCAP’, the highest aerospace industry certification in the world, and ‘AS9100D’, a said Prakash.

The company counts Indian Space Research Organization, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Bharat Earth Movers Limited and Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited among its clients.

Another company that caught the eye of exhibition visitors is Optica.

Co-founded in 1985 by Dr Rajendra Kotaria, the Bengaluru-based company manufactures precision optics, IR optics, ultra precision diamond turned optics, polymer optics, optical systems and assemblies to support organizations and research and academic industries.

Hitech Healthcare, a manufacturer of exercise equipment and massagers, is also among the companies that showcased its products at the expo.

According to the event organizers, more than 400 exhibitors, 20,000 trade commissioners and 150 experts are attending from inside and outside the country, including HAL.

“Separate state pavilions have also been set up, all working under the ‘Make in India’ initiative. The immediate target is to achieve at least 30-40% indigenization component in the aerospace and defense,” they said in a statement.