Leaders

The Indian construction industry is an essential indication of progress since it generates investment possibilities in a variety of connected sectors. Because of the growing demand from real estate and infrastructure developments, the sector will stay healthy. Carrying out complex projects, on the other hand, necessitates the presence of a competent player with extensive knowledge of the subject. Elden Infrastructure LLP  began its journey in 2015 as an interior, civil works, and design cum engineering firm, specializing in turnkey residential interior design, civil, and infrastructure construction. The experienced team, its associates along with its team of expert sub-contractors have served as the foundation for quality, success, and on-time completion of tasks. Elden has a strategic relationship with COFFOR France SNC which offers a unique technique of stay-in formwork that substantially lowers construction time and labour, hence eliminating the primary demand for formwork. The tools and tackles needed are basic and inexpensive.

Construction does not necessitate the use of big machines. Elden's key businesses include construction, interiors, landscaping, research for new technologies, and their application. The company has also been recognized by the Government of India as a Technology Startup. Elden has a power business vertical with a major focus on renewable energy projects and power plant related projects. Elden has gone global with building projects in Uganda, Tanzania, and Dubai, forming global ties with a variety of organizations worldwide.  In an exclusive interaction with Women Entrepreneur Magazine, Leena Rodricks, CEO, Elden Infrastructure LLP walks us through her personal and professional traits along with her unique play at the company.

Take Us Through Your Early Educational And Prior Industry Experience That You Bring To The Table. What Motivated You To Venture Into A Young Technology, Engineering, Design And Construction Company With Global Operations?

I graduated in Architecture from MS University, Baroda. Along with studies had also actively represented Gujarat in their Women’s hockey team and did pretty well. However, post my studies, I decided to pursue architecture and joined Essar Steel at their steel complex in Hazira, Surat. Working under excellent technocrats and mentored by visionaries like Dr. Anil Kane gave me great exposure to work on challenging projects such as the Kalpasar project which was his brainchild. The work culture was very constructive for experimenting and trying out challenging assignments with a ‘Nothing is impossible’ and a sense of entrepreneurship.

To pursue my dream of having my own office and team, I left corporate life and started my own office in Surat with a small team of three engineers and took up challenging projects with various corporate houses like Essar, L&T, Reliance, Adani etc for their industrial projects. Got further opportunities in projects in Tanzania and Uganda which propelled us into taking up global projects.

Tell Us About The Varied Expertise You Possess In Civil Construction And Related Areas. How Has Your Past Experience Helped You In Your Current Role As The Ceo At Elden Infrastructure Llp?

The construction industry is a huge ocean of various complex works. Working with Essar Steel Limited provided me with a distinct spectrum of projects in terms of job value. The most memorable experience was working directly under world famous Technocrat Dr. Anil Kane on the USD 7.4 Billion project of damming the Gulf of Khambhat in Kalpasar. I was given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work on the design and estimation for the 13 km Tidal Power Project of Kalpasar's 26 km dam.  Dutch construction and engineering behemoth Royal Haskoning on this project was an experience in itself due to their world class expertise. Another experience was leading my design team for civil, interior, and landscape design for two large Larsen & Toubro power projects in India.

After having completed projects such as a 55000 sqft textile factory, a 40000 sqft gas manufacturing facility, corporate offices, a VIP lounge for Surat Airport, and designing a 660 hectare urban design project of Hazira Area for the Essar Group among others, has provided me with a diverse set of experiences and has instilled in me expertise in Planning, Design, Execution, and Estimation.

“My primary goal is to convert all leads for prominent projects, focusing on the project's feasibility and negotiating terms an conditions for elden. We are always researching new technologies and cooperating with our partners to ensure that our operations are optimized”

What Are The Various Roles & Responsibilities That You Currently Shoulder At Elden Infrastructure Llp? What Are Some Of The Most Challenging Aspects Of Your Role As The Ceo? How Do You Overcome Them?

The most difficult component of my work as CEO isensuring that we execute prestigious projects both in India and overseas with the focus on quality, workmanship and timelines. My primary goal is to convert all leads for prominent projects, focusing on the project's feasibility and negotiating terms and conditions for Elden. We are always researching new technologies and cooperating with our partners to ensure that our operations optimize. One such example is our work with Coffor France SNC on innovative building technology that allows us to build each floor in less than 6 days and is ideal for high seismic zones. We also ensured that we moved to an ERP-based platform to improve collaboration among locations, design teams, procurement teams and accounting teams.

What Has Been The Most Significant Milestone That You Have Achieved So Far In Your Professional Journey? The Construction Industry Being A Male Dominated Domain, What’s Your Take On It?

The most significant achievement is taking Elden worldwide during the first six years of its existence. I spent time in Tanzania, Uganda, and Dubai networking and seeking for projects that will establish Elden as the world's most desired construction and fit out firm. It is true that the construction industry is not regarded as a woman's vocation. In my early years of employment, construction had been my passion. I've always led my team from the front, whether it's doing 750 cubic meters of concrete in Surat, which is a record in and of itself.

In addition, my experience supervising engineers and contractors on-site prepared me to lead any construction project. I have even stayed back at site the full night with my team during critical operations like concreting etc. This has made others accept my competency in the male dominated arena too. The only consolation or should I say an advantage is that no one speaks rudely or bad mouths to me or anyone in my team. This nature is otherwise very common in the construction line.

My obsession for quality construction procedures has provided us a competitive advantage. I also provide on-site training programmes for masons, carpenters, fitters, and other tradespeople to ensure that we followed proper building methods. My goal has always been to compete on a worldwide scale. To succeed, I believe it is necessary to have a positive mindset rather than a gender bias.

Ar. Leena Rodricks, Ceo, Elden Infrastructure LLP

Ar. Leena Rodricks acquired her bachelor's degree in architecture from M.S. University in 1994 and had a successful academic career. She started her own firm in Surat after working for known brands and some of the biggest projects. She has successfully implemented projects for reputable organisations such as the Airports Authority of India, Reliance Industries, Adani, L&T, and Essar, among others.