JANUARY 2025 – ISSUE 01

Hey, Team Karkhana.io

Guess what? We’re officially byte-ing into something super exciting! Our brand-new internal magazine is here, and it’s all about connecting, sharing, and celebrating the amazing bunch of brains, hearts, and hustles that make Karkhana.io the place to be. Because every project, every part, and every conversation at Karkhana.io has a story to tell — and now we’ve got a platform to share it.

But first things first – let’s give a BIG round of applause to the creative genius behind the name of this masterpiece: K-Bytes. And the credit for this byte-sized brilliance goes to none other than… Sarath!

Bytes from the CEO's Desk

"Building the Present & the Future of Manufacturing, Together”

SONAM MOTWANI
Founder & CEO

Throwback Time

From a three-member team to 75 today, we have surely come a long way. It’s not just the headcount that defines our growth but the learnings and small wins along the way that truly set us apart. The journey was never a set path nor an easy road, and it never will be when you’re striving to make inroads in the manufacturing industry. Times were tough and will undoubtedly get tougher as we move ahead, but with teamwork, we will conquer mountains one by one.

There were moments when we had to wander late at night from one airport hub to another to collect parts from suppliers, conduct quality checks on the spot, and rush to another terminal to courier them back to customers. We’ve worked on fascinating projects, sometimes without proper quality control instruments in the office, even borrowing a long vernier caliper from our suppliers because we never knew how big, small, or interesting our next project would be. Over the years, we’ve made everything, from baby cradles to satellite components, using pen springs to the costliest gauges, engraving wooden clips to machining titanium. We’ve handled the smallest components that fit in a finger to the largest, human-sized drums.

From small seating areas to spacious offices, and from casual outings to memorable offsites, we still have many more stories to script together. Cheers to countless memories and many more to come!

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but when it comes to Karkhana.io,
these snapshots tell the story of hustle, heart, and growth.

Behind the Scenes of our Projects & Events

“Yeh project ke dispatch me hum nariyal fodte the…”

The project you know

Let’s take you behind the scenes of one of our most interesting projects – the Alcob Project, where we weren’t just shipping facades, but also shipping out some serious good luck!

So, here’s the deal: our team was tasked with sending the manufactured facade structures to Kolkata for the HDFC Bank building. Sounds pretty straightforward, right? Well, not quite.

You see, every time the trucks were loaded, we had a ritual—break a coconut for good luck! Why? Because, let’s just say, we were dealing with… interesting drivers.

The story you don't!

One time, a driver who was supposed to head straight to Kolkata mysteriously detoured to his village in Jharkhand, No Contact for 7-8 days, no explanation, no warning! (Let’s just say, he had few WFH left for the month).

Another managed to cover a five-day journey in just three days —because when Rajinikanth drives, time takes the back seat!

“ This whole Journey of ups and downs? it was all for the stunning facade work we delivered.
A true adventure, complete with some late-night dispatches and a lot of luck needed along the way! "

Our Automation Expo Event was a Blast

Both Literally and Figuratively!

At Automation Expo 2024, we knew we had to do something bold to stand out from the crowd. And what better way to grab attention than with a banner that read, “Reduce baldness in your sourcing team”? It was a cheeky way to highlight the challenges that sourcing teams often face and how Kkonnect.io can help reduce the stress (and, of course, the baldness). Paired with a striking image of a bald man, it was clear we weren’t here to play it safe.

But little did we know, our bold message wasn’t the only thing grabbing attention that day. While the banner certainly turned heads, something much more dramatic happened. We had rented some local foodlights to brighten up our booth, and in the middle of the event, one of them exploded!

" Thankfully, no one was hurt, but you can imagine the kind of traction we got after that! "

Beyond the Desk: The Karkhana.io Life We Don't See

Here’s where things get a little more personal, where we break free from the spreadsheets, emails, and project plans and take you on a journey into the lives of our amazing team — the people behind the desks who bring their whole selves to work.

Sarath

Meet the man behind the camera — Sarath, our go-to guy for capturing those picture-perfect moments. You know him as the one who snapped almost every memorable shot during our Goa offsite, and now, he’s sharing his world through his lens!

Mustafa

Buckle up, because Mustafa’s recent trip to the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stutigart is about to take you on a ride through automotive history!

From the first-ever patented automobile in 1886 to cutting-edge hydrogen vehicles, Mustafa captured some of the museum’s most memorable exhibits, featuring everything from legendary racing cars to futuristic concept vehicles.

Sankari

To every Karkhana.io team member who’s ever felt overwhelmed, this poem is for you. It’s a reminder that we’re in this together. and the journey, as crazy as it may be, is one of growth, learning, and ultimately, success.

Sankari beautifully puts it, in the grind of a startup, you’ll find your best self navigating through uncertainty with a clear vision, and discovering the light at the end of the tunnel. It’s a reminder that, sometimes, growth happens when you embrace the chaos and keep pushing forward.

K.io days!

Engrossment, sparks up the place,
Plans get faltered, pausing the pace.

Stay there awhile, don’t rush to flee,
With resoluteness, comes time to glee.

Confusion clouds, but ideas ignite,
In the chaos, you’ll find your insight.

Visualize dreams, let them unfold,
Reality follows what the mind holds.

The tunnel is dark, but hope is near,
The light at the end will soon appear.

A journey of growth, with trials to test,
In a startup’s grind, you find your best.

– Sankari Dkshith Balaji

Pavitra

From the bustling streets of Bengaluru to the stunning, snow-covered peaks of Almaty, Kazakhstan, Pavitra shares her unforgettable experience of her first international trip!

Akash Pande's

Heartwarming Experience

Sometimes, it’s the smallest moments that leave the biggest impressions and stay with you long after they’ve passed. Akash shares a deeply touching experience from a very special day – the first birthday celebration of Amol’s precious daughter.

Prachi

The Hidden Artist & Chef of Mumbai Office

If you haven’t tasted Prachi’s cooking yet, you have definitely missed out on one of the best-kept secrets of our Mumbai office!

She is not only one of the best cooks in the Mumbai office but also a hidden artist, whose talent for painting stunned everyone at the Secret Santa celebration!

 

Reema

If you’ve ever been through the appraisal process at Karkhana.io, you know that Reema doesn’t miss a single detail (and we mean every single detaill).

That same sharp eye for precision carries over into her sketches, showcasing a creativity we never saw coming.

Wrapping Up 2024 Bytes

Karkhana.io People Wrap:

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That’s a wrap on this edition of the Karkhana.io magazine! We hope you’ve enjoyed this journey through our milestones, memories, and the amazing people who make it all happen. Stay tuned for the next edition, dropping before the new financial year, where we’ll unveil insights into our future plans, innovations, and the road ahead. Until then, keep building, keep innovating!