On the 5^th Anniversary of Broadside Marine Pvt Ltd based in Navi Mumbai; Mr J Gopal Rao (JGR), MD and Capt Ritesh Kumar (RK), GM of Broadside Marine Pvt Ltd share their journey, challenges, accomplishments et al with Capt Kamal Chadha, MD, Marex Media, Pvt Ltd.

Congratulations on completing 5 years, what made you choose the name Broadside?

JGR: It is an interesting question; Broadside is an age old term coming from Maritime terminology. It is when a warship moves to a side to train her guns on the opposite side. This word carries the old style touch, but also has a bit of novelty this is what is there, in our work culture as well.

What are the key strengths of your company?

JGR: We have always been by the clients’ side in all situations. We develop relationship with clients and we are firm believers that growth and prosperity of the company will follow.

We would like you to enlighten us on your biggest accomplishment in these last 5 years?

RK: We started around 5 years ago with just two of us. Today we are more than 15 strong maritime professionals. Our client list has been rising steadily year on year and most importantly we have earned our client’s respect. I guess that is the biggest accomplishment for us and that’s what I hope for the future as well.

What are the big challenges and how have you been overcome them?

RK: We have always tried to do something which is bit difficult to do. I would say entry barrier that reduces the number of competitors and once we get into that domain ,we try to make client experience even better, that’s how we try to distinguish ourselves among that small lot. This has been our philosophy to get into any kind of verticals.

Tell us the something about the nature of the work your company performs and the range of services that the company offers…

JGR: We perform mainly in two main verticals – Marine and Technical. The marine project implies physical inspections, remote audits, SMS implementation and compliance assistance; wherein technical project consists of technical surveys and engineering design systems. While this has been going on, when we look at the future that shipping has to offer we believe the next few decades are going to be focused on ‘Digitalization’ and ‘Decarbonization’.

What are the qualities that complement others work and the others decisions?

JGR: We both were heading our respective departments in a maritime company based in Singapore/ Mumbai and we had some challenges on the work front within that company which  we were able to navigate successfully. But looking towards the future, we felt this was not the place to be so we both quit one day.

Later on we met up for a cup of tea and decided to work together. My background is Technical and Ritesh is from Marine field, Ex- VLCC master mariner. The fact that both of us worked well for those six months in that company, made us feel that we can complement each other on this programme and that has been the case so far.

One cannot say that it has always been a complete bed of roses we have had our disagreements at times and despite the fact that Ritesh is much younger to me, there were times when he has found that my thought processes were not okay and I have to agree with him.

Similarly in many places where his expertise is actually in the core, I was able to look at it and give my opinion.

RK: It is something like a sports team. Sometimes, the team may not like the coach or the coach may not like the team, but that doesn’t mean they cannot do wonders; in most of the cases it works wonders. Like Gopal said, we may not agree with each other at times but I think that works and that have worked and will work in future as well.

So who’s the coach, or who forms the team or it’s?

RK: That completely depends on the vertical we are working into like Gopal said that he is from technical background and I am from nautical. In case of any roadblock, we both have veto power in their respective verticals.

Now, we would like to hear about your family, your favorite book or the music that inspires you

RK – My dad was service personnel so we have been roaming around all parts of India and finally got settled in Pune. I came to Mumbai looking for a shore job and then later started my own business. I am married and have a nine-years-old daughter.

Lately, I have started reading skill development books and short reads. I like all types of Music.

JGR: Next year, we will be celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary. My wife and two children are in Glasgow at the moment. I listen to all kind of music, but my first choice is classic rock. I have come to a space where I hardly read anything anymore. However, I am an avid movie watcher.

What would be your message to clients and your competitors if any?

RK: Thank you very much to all our clients. We are sitting here just because of you and I assure that we have you covered.

For the competitors, I would say competition is necessary in any kind of domain, competition brings out the best in any domain.

We are respectful to our competitors and they are too. To excel is the key, which we keep doing and we will be.