Mister Thermistor

Priding themselves on providing high quality and reliability, Noshir and Mabrin Nanavatti of Electronics Unlimited (EU) were happy being one of the major thermistor manufacturers in India, with their products in demand by customers like Arvind Mills, Siemens, Larsen and Tou­bro, Central Railways, Scientific Mes Technique and Testronix. But it became difficult for the father-son duo to sustain their position in the market following the influx of Chinese goods flooding the Indian market at rock bottom prices.

"Indian goods are better in quality but cannot compete in terms of pricing since we pay a higher amount on taxes, power and various other levies charged by the government. We have a hard time explaining the reason for our high cost to prospective customers,” explains Noshir. Thus it became imperative "to lower our prices and increase our production.” They are now in the process of setting up a new unit in Poona with a floor space of 5,000 sq ft where they will be employing a larger work force of skilled and semi-skilled laborers. The next step will be to set up a fully automated plant to ensure quality and quantity.

Since the time Noshir founded Electronics Unlimited in 1978, the company has been manufacturing precision thermistors and thermistor sensor assemblies. Although he was willing to proffer a detailed explanation of what a thermistor is and its varied applications, it sufficed our curiosity to learn that the term thermistor, derived from thermally-sensitive-resistor, is one of the simplest and most versatile components available to electronic designers. Its unique characteristics permit straightforward solutions to many sensing, measurement and control problems, which would otherwise require elaborate equipment and complex circuitry. Thermistors are equally effective in sensing temperature of liquids, gases or solids. Because of their extremely small size, however, it is usually mounted in probes or housings specifically designed to position in whichever medium they are to function.

When traveling on land in vehicles, do we realize how dependent a car engine is on such thermistors? It is these thermally sensitive resistors which are able to gauge the engine coolant temperature (i.e. radiator fan control), transmission fluid temperature (i.e. clutch operation protection), engine oil temperature (i.e. warning light), air-conditioning system temperature… "Our quality control system has earned the highest levels of achievement required by demanding customers (in) automobile applications, appliances and other industries,” states Mabrin Nanavatti in a note from the managing director on their company website. EU is able to "serve customers on a global basis and results in the best mix of modern technology and other industries,” he noted.

Left: Noshir and Rashna Nanavatti with grandchildren Behnaz, Vahbiz and Bezan; above: Mabrin and wife Hutoxi; top: thermistors

Noshir decided to start his own company when the organization he was working for shifted base from Poona to Kerala. Setting up operations with only two colleagues, 30 years ago, today he has over 30 skilled laborers and three managers working for the company. The business scenario then in 1978 was quite different from the current economic climate which Nanavatti describes as "excellent. Banks are positive and can be easily approached for loans. The government rules are not rigid and there is a tremendous opportunity for export if the quality of the products is maintained.”

Born in Gadag, Karnataka, Noshir was raised in Hubli. After the death of his father Ardeshir he moved to Bombay where he completed his education before joining the Air Force at the age of 18 years. He served the Air Force for 16 years until the liberation of Bangladesh when he took premature retirement and settled in Poona. EU owes its success to Rashna too for her "support, encouragement and positive affirmation,” states husband Noshir. While their elder daughter Perin and son Shahrukh have settled abroad, their youngest son Mabrin is focusing on expanding the family business.

"Parsis should come out of their shell and broaden their outlook,” believes Noshir, adding, "They should venture into their own business or the armed forces or central government posts rather than be mollycoddled by their parents and seek jobs in places where their parents reside.” With regard to accepting children of interfaith marriages, he believes they "should be taken within our fold irrespective of whether the mother or father marries outside the community.”

With a feeling that he "owed something to humanity and the downtrodden,” Noshir joined the Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS), was elected to the managing committee in 1996 and shortly thereafter made its treasurer. He was then made the administrative and finance committee chairman and vice chairman. In 2002 he took over as the chairman of the IRCS, Poona district branch. An emergency medical service to provide timely medical care to accident victims on the highway, a disaster management team to cater to any mode of natural disaster, and rural health camps were some of the projects initiated during his term. Additionally he makes time for his Freemasonic activities.

It is not only their EU products that are receptive to external conditions, the Nanavattis too are sensitive to others’ needs.