Ajay Singhania (Epack Durable) on building a Rs 3500Cr empire from near bankruptcy

From losing their biggest client to building a ₹3500 Cr manufacturing powerhouse, hear the inspiring journey of Ajay Singhania, MD & CEO of Epack Durable! In this episode of "The Spotlight", presented by the Founder Thesis podcast, learn how resilience, strategic pivots, and a commitment to "Make in India" fueled Epack's rise from near collapse to industry leadership. Discover actionable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs on building, adapting, and scaling a successful business. Akshay Datt, a serial entrepreneur having run ventures in Employability Training and hiring, is the host of "The Spotlight", presented by the Founder Thesis podcast. He has interviewed 500+ founders to date. Connect: Ajay Singhania:   / ajay-dd-singhania-a492258   Akshay Datt:   / akshay-datt   Founder Thesis: www.founderthesis.com [00:00:00] Early Life & Family Roots: Humble beginnings; father's successful auto parts business in Assam. [00:04:43] Education & Return: US MBA, then a deliberate return to India to start a venture in Delhi. [00:08:42] Epack's Inception: Partnering with family, starting with thermocol packaging for LG. [00:14:02] Pivoting to AC Manufacturing: Assam opportunity, then a strategic shift to Dehradun. [00:18:59] The LG Crisis: A major setback, losing LG as a primary customer. [00:28:26] Rebirth as an ODM: Bold decision to design own products, quickly winning Voltas and others. [00:31:25] Vertical Integration: Manufacturing key components in-house for greater control. [00:34:03] Growth & Expansion: Private equity funding, new factories, and product diversification. [00:36:53] "Make in India" Champion: Actively involved in government initiatives, boosting domestic manufacturing. [00:42:41] Business Strategy: Focus on large manufacturing hubs, strategic partnerships, and organic growth. [00:46:17] Competitive Landscape: Among the top 3 listed appliance ODMs in India. [00:52:35] Family & Leadership: Explaining the roles of the four partners and shared leadership. [00:55:45] Future Vision: Aggressive growth targets, expanding product range, staying committed to ODM. [01:00:57] Succession Planning: Open to professional management, prioritizing talent, not just family. [01:04:34] Advice to Founders: "Follow your instinct and be original". #MakeInIndia #Manufacturing #ODM #Entrepreneurship #India #BusinessGrowth #EpackDurable #Leadership #Strategy #Innovation #AtmanirbharBharat #IndianManufacturing