A Handshake Trumps E-mail Every Time
Feb. 4 & 5, 2010, Hazira, Gujurat – The visit to Hazira offered a refreshing respite from big city life in India and for the Essar Steel Algoma employees, it would prove to be a professional highlight. The opportunity to visit a sister mill and meet with counterparts from across the globe is a rare experience, promoting a valuable exchange of ideas and best practices.
Essar Steel Hazira is located in Gujarat state in the town of Hazira, just a short drive from the bustling metropolis of Surat. Hazira is currently in the midst of a massive expansion which will augment the current production level of 6 million tons by another 5 million tons per annum.
In support of their Hazira operations, Essar has built a complete township around the steelworks, power and port facility. The township itself is entirely ISO certified, offering all necessary utilities and services, a school, an equestrian club, restaurants, a fitness centre and accommodations for employees and their families. Our families stayed at the Essar Coil Club - a full service guest house.
For the children (and a few young-at-heart adults) a visit to the equestrian club offered a fun and unusual encounter. Here, impeccable stalls and grounds are home to a stable of fine horses, dairy cattle, goats, turkeys, a canine unit and the star performers – camels. Camel rides were arranged, and apart from the ungainly assents and descents and the comical groans from our trusty, albeit testy steed, all riders chalked the experience up as one of the more memorable moments in their India adventure.
Upon arrival, all guests enjoyed a tour of the steelworks and the next day, while Algoma employees spent time in the mill with their counterparts, the spouses and children were treated to a riveting dance performance by the Rachna (creation) Essar Ladies Club. They also enjoyed a tour of the township school which boasts an enrollment of 1200 Essar children from kindergarten to 12th standard. A talented mehendi** artist was brought in to adorn the women with this beautiful customary embellishment and beautiful, hand-crafted gifts were kindly showered on the members of the group. Overall, the afternoon was an engaging and insightful glimpse into the culture and lifestyle enjoyed by Essar Hazira families, setting the stage for the Sangam festivities slated for that evening.
The Sangam Family Day festivities began at dusk. Over 8000 guests gathered under the night sky with company founders, Shri Shashi and Ravi Ruia for a spectacular display of Essar talent and celebration. The Essar Algoma families, resplendent in their new traditional Indian attire, were invited on stage for formal introductions. From here they witnessed the prize draw for five Essar Hazira employees, who, along with their families will be hosted by Essar Algoma on a cultural and professional exchange to Canada in the coming year.
The Sangam event was superb and served as a fitting close to the group’s time in Hazira. In the morning, they would depart for Udaipur, a city of palaces and lakes where the families would indulge in a truly royal experience.
Employee Reflections - What stood out most from your visit to Hazira?
“The 5 million ton expansion project including a plate and strip mill, a blast furnace, coke ovens, and a Direct Reduced Iron plant – all under construction at once. The pride expressed by all of the employees involved and of course, the exceptional hospitality at the plant, the Coil Club, everywhere. We were treated as honoured guests.” – Ritch Kendrick
“I was impressed by how clean the plant was and how well organized the mill appeared to be.” - John Vernelli
“They took us under their wing and showed us so much – such wonderful hospitality. The mill tour was quite informative – the mill is very, very clean. I also enjoyed the Sangam – it was very professionally done.” – Dodie Masse
“I really enjoyed my one on one with my counterpart. They are doing basically the same job as me; they face the same obstacles and are applying similar methods to overcome the challenges. It was a pleasant surprise when Mr. Shashi Ruia came and sat with us on the sofas at the Sangam. I really enjoyed our chat.” - Chris Hodkinson
** Mehendi is a traditional art of adornment through the application of intricate designs on the hands and feet. Mehendi leaves are crushed and blended with eucalyptus oil, then applied to the skin with a very fine confectionary-like tube.
Feb. 4 & 5, 2010, Hazira, Gujurat – The visit to Hazira offered a refreshing respite from big city life in India and for the Essar Steel Algoma employees, it would prove to be a professional highlight. The opportunity to visit a sister mill and meet with counterparts from across the globe is a rare experience, promoting a valuable exchange of ideas and best practices.
Essar Steel Hazira is located in Gujarat state in the town of Hazira, just a short drive from the bustling metropolis of Surat. Hazira is currently in the midst of a massive expansion which will augment the current production level of 6 million tons by another 5 million tons per annum.
In support of their Hazira operations, Essar has built a complete township around the steelworks, power and port facility. The township itself is entirely ISO certified, offering all necessary utilities and services, a school, an equestrian club, restaurants, a fitness centre and accommodations for employees and their families. Our families stayed at the Essar Coil Club - a full service guest house.
For the children (and a few young-at-heart adults) a visit to the equestrian club offered a fun and unusual encounter. Here, impeccable stalls and grounds are home to a stable of fine horses, dairy cattle, goats, turkeys, a canine unit and the star performers – camels. Camel rides were arranged, and apart from the ungainly assents and descents and the comical groans from our trusty, albeit testy steed, all riders chalked the experience up as one of the more memorable moments in their India adventure.
Upon arrival, all guests enjoyed a tour of the steelworks and the next day, while Algoma employees spent time in the mill with their counterparts, the spouses and children were treated to a riveting dance performance by the Rachna (creation) Essar Ladies Club. They also enjoyed a tour of the township school which boasts an enrollment of 1200 Essar children from kindergarten to 12th standard. A talented mehendi** artist was brought in to adorn the women with this beautiful customary embellishment and beautiful, hand-crafted gifts were kindly showered on the members of the group. Overall, the afternoon was an engaging and insightful glimpse into the culture and lifestyle enjoyed by Essar Hazira families, setting the stage for the Sangam festivities slated for that evening.
The Sangam Family Day festivities began at dusk. Over 8000 guests gathered under the night sky with company founders, Shri Shashi and Ravi Ruia for a spectacular display of Essar talent and celebration. The Essar Algoma families, resplendent in their new traditional Indian attire, were invited on stage for formal introductions. From here they witnessed the prize draw for five Essar Hazira employees, who, along with their families will be hosted by Essar Algoma on a cultural and professional exchange to Canada in the coming year.
The Sangam event was superb and served as a fitting close to the group’s time in Hazira. In the morning, they would depart for Udaipur, a city of palaces and lakes where the families would indulge in a truly royal experience.
Employee Reflections - What stood out most from your visit to Hazira?
“The 5 million ton expansion project including a plate and strip mill, a blast furnace, coke ovens, and a Direct Reduced Iron plant – all under construction at once. The pride expressed by all of the employees involved and of course, the exceptional hospitality at the plant, the Coil Club, everywhere. We were treated as honoured guests.” – Ritch Kendrick
“I was impressed by how clean the plant was and how well organized the mill appeared to be.” - John Vernelli
“They took us under their wing and showed us so much – such wonderful hospitality. The mill tour was quite informative – the mill is very, very clean. I also enjoyed the Sangam – it was very professionally done.” – Dodie Masse
“I really enjoyed my one on one with my counterpart. They are doing basically the same job as me; they face the same obstacles and are applying similar methods to overcome the challenges. It was a pleasant surprise when Mr. Shashi Ruia came and sat with us on the sofas at the Sangam. I really enjoyed our chat.” - Chris Hodkinson
** Mehendi is a traditional art of adornment through the application of intricate designs on the hands and feet. Mehendi leaves are crushed and blended with eucalyptus oil, then applied to the skin with a very fine confectionary-like tube.
