1960 - 67 - A legacy of Scientific and Entrepreneurial Spirit.
Datta Keshav Sathe (DKS), a young M.Sc. (Physics) Gold Medallist joined the prestigious Bhabha Atomic Research Centre as Scientific Officer of its very first batch and worked on Van De Graff Generator Project. In keeping with his entrepreneurial spirit, he went on to establish R. K. Dutt Concerns in 1960 as proprietary concern named in the honour of his parents Rama and Keshav Sathe. The enterprise would mainly engage in manufacturing and supply of rugged scientific equipment for School Science Laboratories, which was something the schools lacked in a big way. His life partner Mrs. Sudha Datta Sathe, was his firm support in the running of his business from home. Both of them hustled from a rented house in Sanmitra Chawl of Thane. Mr Sathe working on weekends developing the purchase and supply system.
1967 -74 The Start-up hustle.
Soon this moonlit enterprise, "R.K Dutt Concerns" was flourishing, and he decided to resign from BARC to focus solely on business. With the advent of semiconductor components, he went to develop Battery Eliminators essential for demonstrative experiments in school laboratories. He also introduced “Primary Science Kits” – in which teachers would find everything to demonstrate science concepts to the students up to 4th Std. and up to 8th Std. This concept was a major commercial success and he soon moved on to own a 3 storied “Purushottam” Building in Brahmin Society – a spacious HQ for his enterprise. He soon purchased a 730 Sq.m plot at A-88, MIDC, Wagle Estate Thane.
1974-81 - Confluence Innovation spirit.
· Mr Kaustubh D. Tamhankar (KDT), Mechanical Engineer joined the business. In time, DKS recognised the limitations and challenges of catering to schools which were–multiple customers with small orders and uncertain credit terms. DKS decided to serve the Chemical Industry booming in Thane – Belapur Belt.
He began by supplying Safety Boards and soon went on to develop rugged long-lasting handles for Audco Valves which were components for imported instruments. Next, he developed Heavy Duty Level Indicator as rugged substitute for Tubular Level Gauges. Also, developed Top Mounted Float type Indicator for underground tanks.
1981 - Confluence of the Engineering spirit.
· Mr Purushottam S. Agwan (PSA), a then young and energetic B.E. (Mech) VNIT Nagpur graduate with DMS (Mum) and 5 years’ experience in manufacture of Track Parts, in Tractors Division of Larson & Toubro Ltd (1976-81) resigned and joined the setup and never looked back.
1983 -89 - An Established Engineering Firm.
PSA looked after Marketing and KDT after Manufacturing and DKS took care of Administration. Together, the trio developed several firsts for Chemical Process Industry
• Magnetic Indicator for Liquid Chlorine for Century Chemicals. The first one of its type was supplied in ‘83 and gave trouble free service for 37 years.
• Pressurised floats for up to 50 bar pressures.
• Also added other products like Reflex-Transparent Gauges for Boilers.
· Mr Mohan G. Nagarkar (MGN), B.Tech. (Electronics)-IIT Mumbai, then Chief Instrumentation Engineer Bayer (India), with 16 years’ experience, joined the setup to develop Fluoro-polymer Lined Steel Piping products.
1989 - 95 - International and Corporate Pursuits
· PSA visited ACHEMA Frankfurt (Germany) Exhibition- 1989. MGN and DKS visited K-92 Plastic Exhibition in Dusseldorf (Germany).
· Three new Companies Floated – Tansa Equipment Pvt Ltd, (Rotameters), Asanplast Engineers Pvt. Ltd ( Fluoropolymers), Both at Asangaon. Igatwin Polymers Pvt Ltd (PP/PTFE Lined Pipes and Fittings) Igatpuri,
· Mr Vijay S. Agwan M.Tech.(Prod), IIT Kharagpur, with 15 years’ experience in Resistance Welding, with BHEL Trichy and Mechelonic Welders Mumbai, joined the Group Marketing Engr.
1995 - 2008 - International collaborations, credentials and innovations to pride for…
· R.K. Dutt signed agreement with Helios AG, Switzerland, for manufacture of Displacer Transmitters.
· RKD Magnetic Indicator with Rotocyl Indication displayed at ACHEMA ’95.
· 1995 – CCoE Approval was received for Magnetic Indicators. Several were supplied for EO, NH3, Cl2, LPG, C4Cut, Unsymmetrical Hydrazine ( Space Fuel) for ISRO etc.
· 1998 – RKD became First Process Instruments Manufacturing Company in India to get ISO 9002
· 1999 – Manufacturing Agreement was signed with Endress & Hauser - Switzerland for manufacture of Flow Tubes from 25 NB to 300NB
· First, Intrinsically Safe Transmitter in India was developed conforming to IS 5780.
· RKD Works received CMRI approval for manufacturing Flame Proof Ex Proof Housing to IS 2748
· Developed Boiler Gauges for INS Virat, Teer and other Indian Navy (INS) Ships
2009- 2020 - A well trusted brand "RK Dutt" partners with Siemens India.
· 2009 - RKD entered into Chanel Partnership with Siemens India for marketing Process Instrumentation Products like PT, DPT, Ultrasonic / Clamp-on/ Vortex Flow Meters, Coriolis Mass Flow Meters, Magflow Meters, RADAR Level Instruments, Valve Positioners etc.
· 2015 – RKD became Exclusive Chanel Partners for Siemens Process Instrumentation for Mumbai, Thane, Nashik and Konkan region.
Since then scaling new heights in reach and volume to Chemical Process Industry… and proudly boasts of a 2500 strong Client Base.