In the world of pharmaceutical manufacturing, a domain predominantly associated with men in hard hats and assembly lines, a remarkable transformation has been taking place at Sun’s Dewas plant in India. It’s a tale of breaking the mould and creating a gender diverse team to manage manufacturing blocks.

Empowering Women Through Innovation

A year ago, the team at our Dewas plant introduced a new shift for women employees to handle operations at certain blocks. They were allocated a dedicated section and assigned the responsibility of handling machinery, and primary and secondary packing. The move instilled confidence not just in the women but also their managers and department heads, making a statement that gender does not play a role in one’s capability to excel at functions like manufacturing.

The Recruitment Revolution

In order to establish this diverse team, freshly graduated women candidates were recruited under the apprenticeship scheme through various channels, including walk-in interviews and campus hiring. The team actively engaged with nearby colleges, delivering presentations about the organisation and the promising career opportunities within the pharmaceutical industry. These efforts bore fruit as the onboarded apprentices seamlessly settled into their roles, independently managing core activities, including operating heavy machinery with proficiency.

Today, over 124 women team members run operations at certain blocks at the Dewas plant. The all-women crew is fully responsible for operating and managing their assigned manufacturing area, sharing equal responsibilities with their male counterparts.

Overcoming Challenges: Unleashing Potential

Setting up a gender diverse team in a manufacturing unit wasn’t without its challenges, starting with the prevailing mindset. Some people at the plant initially posed reservations about women’s capabilities in manufacturing roles, especially those involving second or night shifts. To bridge this gap, sessions on “Mitigating Unconscious Bias” were conducted with the support of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Team. Addressing parental concerns was also crucial, as they were understandably worried about their daughters’ safety during night shifts.

“When the company announced the deployment of my daughter in the second shift, initially we were worried about her safety and late working hours. But as we heard that the management will be providing door-to-door pick and drop facility with the bus having CCTV and female security guards, we felt relieved,” shares the proud father of one of the women officers.

A Bright Future

The story of Dewas’s gender diverse teams is an inspiring tale of women’s potential to thrive in the manufacturing industry, when given the right opportunity and platform

“When I found an opening at Sun’s Dewas plant, I immediately applied and joined a few months later. I moved from a small place in Maharashtra to Dewas. This role is my launch pad and I look forward to having a successful career here,” shares a senior officer.

These women have shown that they are not just equals but, in many cases, exceptional leaders in the manufacturing world. Their journey is a testament to their abilities and inspires others to dream, dare, and thrive wherever they go.