We recently welcomed Sudeep Varshney as part of our Sofis family. Our new Sales Manager – Global EPC Projects will be based out of Faridabad, near New Delhi, India. He will be managing our global EPC customers, with a specific focus on the Asian market.
Process skid manufacturing
Before entering Sofis, Sudeep worked for Multitex, a leading engineering procurement and construction company that provides solutions to oil & gas, power, and other sectors. “Apart from standalone equipment, Multitex was also involved in process skids”, Sudeep explains. “One of the systems we delivered was actually an important valve interlock application, namely pig launchers and receivers. The skids were delivered and installed at end-users and EPC contractors all over the world.” About process skids, Multitex was involved in a wide variety of process systems, which allowed Sudeep to gain in-depth knowledge of the applications that can be secured by using valve interlocking systems. Sudeep: “Gas dehydration units, Flare Skid, Gas Conditioning skids, where you have many PSV systems running into the flare skids, hydrocarbon dew point systems, refrigeration systems, recycle gas compressor systems, condensate systems, condenser online ethylene systems, and many more, were my main field of expertise. Having been responsible for sales for these systems all across the globe gives me a good headstart at Sofis.”
Indian companies are ‘picking up’ on valve interlocks
In his career, Sudeep only came across valve interlocking systems once. “We were dealing with door closures from a British company, and we had to install the complete interlocking system with it, on our customer’s request, according to the specifications of the end-user.” Valve safety systems are quite new to the Indian market, according to Sudeep, but slowly and gradually more and more companies are ‘picking up’. “Many companies have started ordering valve interlocks as an integral part of the main equipment”, Sudeep explains. “Also, valve interlocks are installed as part of their own operations and maintenance procedures, whereby valve interlocks are installed after the installation of the process units.”
Approached by Sofis
Sudeep was keen to further grow his career. Recently, he was approached by Sofis and got informed on how Sofis’ portfolio encapsulated the complete safety environment into their products. “That was very interesting for me”, he says. “In all, it seemed an exciting job to find out how to protect someone’s safety, which is most important to Sofis. I was quite positive, and I’m now looking forward to bringing my enthusiasm into practice now.” His motivation was also based on his own understanding of accidents that recently happened in India. “In many incidents that happened over the past years in India, lives were lost due to incorrect operation procedures, leading for instance to boiler explosions. You can call it a safety issue, or a human error, but yes, that happened. I strongly feel that if we are given the opportunity, we should give something back to the environment, and give back something to humans as well. I feel that Sofis products are very important, which is a driving factor that led me to my new job.”
Boosting factor
During the hiring process, Sudeep had to interact with several Sofis employees, during in-depth job interviews. “The process was never tiring though” Sudeep reflects. “I met with different people. It all happened so quickly. It was so much fun, and it never felt that I was going for a job interview.” For Sudeep, this was a huge ‘boosting factor’. “During the interview, I just projected what I am, and this was well accepted. The people at Sofis were taking me into the process, and not judging me. In retrospect, that also was an important driver to join Sofis and move forward for a brighter future and better perspectives.”
Sharing experience
Having worked for Sofis for a while now, Sudeep is convinced he did well by choosing Sofis. “When I met the Sofis team in India for the first time, I never felt for a single minute that I was new to them, and they are new to me. That’s how I was welcomed. The team in India consists of people with different jobs, different career backgrounds, and different ages. But again, it never felt that I was new to them. “Just after two days of working for Sofis, Sudeep was asked to travel to a sales meeting in Thailand, having team discussions, and team play-offs. “All these team activities were done with full inclusion of myself. I never felt a single minute whether I should ask a question or not. In all, communication appeared to be quite easy”, Sudeep continues. He experiences that at Sofis, everybody is willing to share their experience. “On any corporate level, just to give me a backup, or a heads-up. That is very interesting. We’re working in different teams, but not for a second did I have the idea that these teams work separately from each other, bounded by territories or departments. Within Sofis, we all act together, and everyone can be reached for input and help.”
Teaming up with EPC contractors
Soon, Sudeep intends to deepen his knowledge of the market and team up with all EPC contractors in Asian Countries, focusing on their complete valve operations. “I’m also trying to capture a few of the projects in Singapore, the Middle East, India, and many others, in line with the product range of Sofis.” In his view, valve interlocks and portable valve actuators would ultimately support Sofis customers in their goal of improving efficiency and guaranteeing a healthy environment for their employees. “Operating large-size valves in operation requires two to three people at a time and is exhaustive. With Sofis products, we could help operators open and close valves with ease, especially with a higher degree of safety margins, which is an absolute necessity for better productivity.”
Case studies help explain the added value
To better explain the added value of Sofis products, Sudeep stresses the importance of developing case studies, to present to Sofis customers. “Case studies show our customers where and how we have secured valve operations. Sofis is well-known in the industry, but it is our culture, our philosophy, our working environment, our products, and our sustainability that should be known to our customers, day in and day out. “According to Sudeep, certifications, and case studies offer a perfect opportunity to explain and clarify how safe valve operations can be guaranteed, for a wide variety of industries. “Our customers should be aware that there are many more applications than ‘just’ pressure relief valves, or pigging operations, where valve interlocks come into play, and can be highly effective. By sharing applications, we can better inform our customers.”
Experienced cricket player
Sudeep loves cricket and has been playing the sport since his childhood, at school, at college, and so on. “I have a younger son, and I also teach him how to play cricket”. He also enjoys watching movies, exploring newer places, and going to adventure parks with his son.
Sudeep has a bachelor’s degree in science (B.Tech, Mechanical Engineering), and a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA, Marketing).