It is only when the need arises that we unleash our creative self to find a solution and the case was no different for Mahesh Gupta. After his two kids suffered from jaundice, he made his mission to find a clean drinking water solution that would not only solve his family’s problem but also the nation’s. With his dedication and perseverance, Mahesh has revolutionised the water purification industry in India and today, he is the founder-chairman of Kent RO Systems Ltd.
Education and early career
Mahesh Gupta studied mechanical engineering from IIT Kanpur and graduated in 1975 after which he pursued masters from Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP) Dehradun. With his impressive academic credentials, he landed a job in the sales department of Indian Oil Corporation in 1978 soon after completing his masters.
A man with great risk appetite and someone who chooses growth over stability, Mahesh quit his government job in 1988 to take on his own entrepreneurial venture. With a minimum capital at his disposal, he forayed into the business of manufacturing instruments for oil testing and conservation. He went commercial under the brand name Kent Oil Meter, the business of which is thriving till date.
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How he came up with the Idea of Kent RO
It was when Mahesh’s two children suffered from jaundice due to drinking polluted water that he realised the dire need to address the issue. The water purifiers available then were either too hefty in price or low in quality. Therefore, through intensive research and bringing in some components from abroad, he started making hand-made purifiers. In 1998, Mahesh launched the first domestic RO water purifier and established Kent RO Systems Ltd. from scratch. Despite the cut-throat competition in the industry due to the presence of other international and national brands, the company has managed to stand out and is today the most dynamic water purifier brand in India, commanding a market share of around 40 percent in RO water purifier segment.
Owing to his contribution to the water purification industry, Mahesh Gupta is also addressed as the ‘Pure Water Man’ of India. He has also been bestowed with an Honorary Doctorate degree by Sri Sri University Orissa, for his unparalleled efforts in providing safe drinking water in rural areas.
