Learning on the shop floor

Zal Saam Cooper is unconcerned about The Times of India report that Maharashtra’s mega industrial policy may be scrapped. "This is yet to be confirmed — I was at a plant inauguration last week when the chief minister categorically stated that Maharashtra will do whatever is required to remain the most attractive investment destination in India,” he notes in the course of his responses in a brief e-mail interview with Parsiana. As for the Cooper enterprise, he says, "Our case is sanctioned and there is a binding contract in place. Any cancellation normally affects companies that do not have a sanction.”

Zal Cooper: growing in prominence

Completing his secondary education at the Lawrence School, Lovedale, Zal graduated in commerce from Poona’s B.M.C.C. College of Commerce and acquired his masters in management studies from Bombay University’s Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies. Then, in 1987, began the on-the-job indoctrination on the shop floor, learning all aspects of the business. "At that time we were a machining company that had just ventured into the foundry business (backward integration) in order to develop our own product of cylinder liner instead of just machining cylinder liner castings for our customers,” he recalls.

Now Zal says he concentrates on export and domestic marketing, new product development, organization building and purchasing as well as the new engine and genset business. Over the next 10-15 years he visualizes the Cooper group of companies "growing in prominence and being considered companies of repute, offering high quality and reliable products in the engine, generator, components and vehicle business.”

Zal explains a technicality to Jayantrao Patil (left)

Himself a Satara local, Zal considers the climate, people and culture of the place a major advantage for the corporation, as also its proximity and easy access to Poona and Bombay. However, he says it is not so easy to attract senior managerial talent. Also, the lack of aivr connectivity could be compounding the problem.

While we were disappointed that the three bigwigs could not keep their appointment with Cooper, Zal was more philosophical: "It was unfortunate that they could not attend but as we knew that their absence was due to reasons out of their control it was understandable. When inviting politicians there is always the chance that some other more pressing matters of state importance may crop up. However, we had three senior ministers from the Maharashtra government, along with two MLAs and one MLC (member of the Legislative Council) and the function went off very well. In fact the ministers were able to interact more freely without the big bosses around!”

Married to Ka­vita Hector Thac­ker, a PhD in history, Zal describes his wife as "interested in art, all things historical and enjoys traveling. She does not play any direct part in the companies but is a great support and hostess.”