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The pioneer Mr. Subhash Patil (73 years old now) comes from a very progressive
farmers family, educated at village level, earning and learning from his 10th
year (1946), influenced by and studied up to S.S.C. (1953) at RAYAT SHIKSHAN
SANSTHA founded by his uncle Late Padmabhushan Karmaveer Dr. Bhaurao Patil,
academically graduated in ECONOMICS from University of Bombay (1961) while
working as employee of Premier Automobile Ltd. Bombay. Sudden death of Late
Karmaveer Bhaurao Patil (1959) he could not follow Late Prof. Mr. B. K . Patil (Nerli)
to join London School of Economics. This changed the whole course and being in
labour movement at Bombay opted for technical side and qualified to be an
Industrial Engineer (1963) under U.S.A.I.D. & National Productivity Council.
Basic attitude being of a social-welfare and social obligation worked as Joint
Secretary Association of Engg. Workers to get justice for workers and
represented on various committees - occupational classification, grades skills.
Mr. Subhash Patil represented workers before Lokhandwala committee, Jijibhoy
Committee, Tarif Boards (1960 - 1964).While discharging his duties as on employee of Premier Automobiles Ltd, he kept
on his study-habits and to get first-hand knowledge of management side. Started
reading, attending seminars and also worked as WORKS MANAGER of a limited
company (1964 -1966). His mentor were Ruskin, Jack London (Iron Heel Fame),
Scott-Bader (U.K.), Robert Newman (USA), Manvendranath Roy, Prof. Joan Robinson
(London School of Economics), Shumacer (British Coal Board) as well as many
Indians like Late Mr. Chintamanrao Deshmukh, Late Mr. R. K. Patil I.C.S., Late
Shri. Jayanand Khira of Trustee-ship concept, Late Shri. Lala Shriram (Delhi),
Late Shri. Navalmal Firodia of Ahmednagar, Late Shri. Dhananjayrao Gadgil, Saint
Gadge Maharaj, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and many alike.
On this back-drop at age of 30 he thought of experimenting an industrial
productive unit. He took one product "STEERING COLUMN BUSH" which was banned by
Tarrif Commission. Thousands of FIATS assembled at Premier Automobiles Ltd.
lying idle at Kurla plant for want of this small part. Mr. Patil had joined a
rubber-goods unit as works manager in 1964. When he came to know about ban by
Tarrif Commission and PREMIERS which was his first employer and gave opportunity
to complete his academic and professional recognition as an "Industrial
Engineer," put his heart in the development of this product which could not be
developed by Modaks, Swastik Rubber, Purohits and many established rubber goods
manufacturers.
In July 1966, Mr. Subhash Patil, using kitchen ware, kerosene stove, a harrowed
vice could develop this part. It was tested by Premiers, Itallian Tech. Expert
Mr. Rephel too was happy. The part was sent to Turino Italy. By cable approval
was accorded. This was a breaking ground which accorded enterprenuership to Mr.
Subhash Patil (Sept. 1966). This is the moment 'PATCO" was founded on capital of
Rs. 13967-
This news appeared in media. By that time Padmashri Dr. Vikhe Patil of Pravara
Co-op Sugar complex, Late Shri. Vasantdada Patil of Sugar Co-op Complex, Late
Shri. Ratnappa Kumbhar of Panchganga, Late Shri. Tatyasaheb Kore of Warana Co-op
Sugar Complex got my where abouts (1966) I was invited to attend a meeting at
Maharashtra Rajya Sahkari Sakhar Karkhana Sangh, Patel Chambers, Gunbow Street,
Bombay (Sept. 1966). All Co-op Sugar Plants were imported one and always faced
problems specially due to negligiable rubber parts. In words of Late Shri.
Vasantdada "A horse of lakhs of rupees being stranded for want of a horse-shoe."
All members present supported Mr. Subhash Patil to develop import substitution
of rubber parts for cane sugar plants. Mr. Subhash Patil being a student of
RAYAT (Farmers Educational Institute) he himself being from farmers family,
cane-sugar plants being beneficial to farmers and to be a small part of
Agro-based Industrial Revolution resigned from work manager's post at Bombay.
Late Shri. Vasantdada, Late Shri. Tatyasaheb Kore (Warana) and his son Late
Shri. Vilasrao T. Kore helped Shri. Subhash Patil to set-up a rubber goods unit
for sugar plant requirements at Sangli (1967).
This is the history of the birth of "PATCO" of course it was not without prangs.
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