Company Overview
Saral Designs is a pioneering startup established in 2015 by IIT alumni, focusing on feminine health and hygiene solutions through innovative manufacturing technologies. Based in Maharashtra, India, Saral Designs has emerged as a leader in the hygiene product manufacturing sector, notably with its efforts to decentralize production to improve accessibility and reduce costs of sanitary products.
Product Line and Innovation
The company is renowned for its Research and Development (R&D) strength, specifically in the development of automatic sanitary pad-making machines. Notably, the Swachh machine series stands out as India's first automatic ultra-thin sanitary pad manufacturing equipment, designed with two Indian patents for the mass production of hygiene products to assist low-income communities. The product range includes:
- Sanitary pads
- Pantiliners
- Maternity pads
- 3-ply masks
- Period pain patches
- Underpads
Key technologies include:
- Swachh 5 Series: Capable of producing sanitary pads at the speed of 100 pads per minute.
- Swachh 300 Series: Designed for cost-effective fluff sanitary pad production at 300 pads per minute.
Business Model and Impact
Operating as a for-profit social enterprise, Saral Designs is dedicated to enhancing menstrual hygiene accessibility, having produced and sold over 17 million sanitary pads. The company's business model empowers local entrepreneurs across Asia and Africa, equipping them with tools to address community health needs, significantly impacting the menstrual hygiene landscape in underserved regions.
Milestones and Recognition
Saral Designs has achieved several commendable milestones and collaborations, reflecting its innovation and social commitment:
- 2017: Awarded the prestigious National Entrepreneurship Award by the Government of India.
- 2018: Secured the i-start competition global victory by ASME for hardware innovation with social impact.
- 2020: Ingeniously repurposed a sanitary pad machine into a 3-ply mask manufacturing unit within 100 hours in partnership with the Anand Mahindra Group during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- 2021: Honored by USAID for distributing 2.4 million masks to frontline workers.
- 2022: Received the Sun Achievement Award from Bank of Baroda on its 125th anniversary for formidable contributions to the hygiene industry.
Leadership Team
The leadership team at Saral Designs boasts a blend of innovation and expertise with:
- Suhani Mohan: Co-founder & Director, an IIT Bombay alumna with a strategic background in climate-tech investment and healthcare.
- Kartik Mehta: Co-founder & Director, leading product development with an engineering and innovative edge.
Key team support includes Vishal Panchal (Head of R&D), Seema Sharma (HR and Admin Manager), and Abhijit Patil (General Manager).
Workforce and Financials
Saral Designs functions with a dedicated team of 11-50 employees and has an estimated annual revenue of approximately $2 million. The organization operates within the industrial machinery manufacturing industry, maintaining a compact yet proficient workforce to drive its mission forward.
Competitor Landscape
Saral Designs faces competition from notable entities in the menstrual hygiene market, such as Saathi Pads, Times Green Energy, and WomenChoice Industries. These competitors offer a variety of products, including compostable and eco-friendly sanitary care solutions, driving diverse market dynamics.
Strategic Insights
Saral Designs leverages its robust expertise in industrial machinery not only to drive technological innovation but also to exert a positive social impact in India and globally. Its unyielding focus on R&D in hygiene products technology positions the company to meet growing market demands, while its commitment to decentralized manufacturing continues to address cost and accessibility issues in women's hygiene effectively. The strategic alignment of entrepreneurship, social responsibility, and technology uniquely positions Saral Designs at the forefront of the menstrual hygiene movement in India.
