Engineering Success Across the Region
This May 2024, we get to know Mohan PCA, Regional General Manager, Atlas Copco Industrial Technique UAE.
Mohan, was born in India, and ventured from a Mathematician dream to an engineering regional leadership role in the Middle East, shaping the Energy Segment's success of Atlas Copco. Despite deviations during his career, Mohan is dedicated to self-improvement, fostering global experiences, customer growth, sustainability, and wellness in both professional and personal realms.
Atlas Copco is a Swedish multinational industrial company that was founded in 1873 (just over 150 years old). It manufactures industrial tools and equipment. The Atlas Copco Group is a global industrial group of companies headquartered in Nacka, Sweden. Read more here.
Hej SBC Member!
Who is Mohan PCA?
Born in Tiruchirappalli, an ancient city in South India, I grew up during my early schooling years in a small state, Pondicherry. Post schooling, my dream was to become a Mathematician or a Chartered Accountant. However the path turned out to be different - I pursued and completed an Honors Degree in Mechanical Engineering. I wanted to become a Design Engineer, which I thought was my strength but I ended up in a supply chain role as my first job in India. Then a Sales role opportunity came from Qatar and thus began my life in the Middle East region. Barring the 18 months being back in India during wartime I have spent more than 34 years within the region and mostly in the Oil & Gas / Petrochemical segment, focused on bolted joints integrity and management. If I am considered to be an SME (Subject Matter Expert) in this field, then I owe it to this region and my customers.
Atlas Copco turned 150 years last year, you have been with the Swedish Industrial company not as long, but for almost 10 years. Please elaborate on your journey within Atlas Copco, highlighting the key milestones and challenges you encountered on your path to becoming the General Manager - Middle East - Industrial Technique?
When Atlas Copco acquired a couple of companies to expand their offerings into the Energy segment I got this great opportunity to be part of their ambition into the Middle East. So I started focusing on developing the business into an Energy Segment across the region. I enjoyed unconditional support from Atlas Copco as we kept investing heavily & growing the organization across the key markets. Once this segment business became a growth engine I moved up to take care of the division, wherein I got exposed to several other segments. Following that I became the Regional General Manager for the Industrial Technique Business Area with responsibility across multiple divisions. The real challenge was, that I became the GM during the peak period of Covid and for almost a year we all worked remotely and with zero travel. Today, I can certainly say that we did very well as a team despite the changed circumstances.
During your time at Atlas Copco, what are some of your proud moments?
Industrial Technique Business Area within the Middle East region is relatively a young organization as it started in 2015 with Dubai as Head Quarters. Today we have presence in 8 countries within the region (including CIS countries) built strongly with 9 different nationalities and female colleagues share of 22%. We rank No.1 in many segments already and on others we are within the Top 3 position, growing rapidly. At this juncture, I must recognize that all these were made possible by our valuable customers, who trusted our Brand, People, Products & Solutions.
With a few years in the industry, what advice would you have given to yourself when starting your career?
From what I have said above it must be clear to all that my dreams and what I ended up doing have not been aligned. However, one thing I always did consistently is to give my best in what I chose/vested with and look for ways to improve from there- competing with myself. This approach can help many. What I missed in my career is limiting my experience within a region – if I relive my past again then I would have taken up assignments across the world and in the process learn a lot more from the various markets and cultures, which would have been a lot more fulfilling experience.
What long-term vision or aspirations do you hold for yourself (personally and work related)?
Work related: the region is seeing stepped growth into manufacturing activities and driving new initiatives into sustainability / CO2 reduction. In my role and with Atlas Copco products and solutions we have a significant opportunity to help our customers achieve their objectives with our smart and connected solutions to become best in class. Building the organization to meet this demand and increasing the local content in the process.
Personally: health and wellness are the foundations for a person to live one´s dream and this is one area I will invest more time in. I also encourage and drive many activities to promote this within my team in Atlas Copco as I see them as Human Capital and they are key to the business of our customers and ours.
Thank you Mohan for sharing your story with us! We wish you all the best!
Mohan PCA, Regional General Manager, Atlas Copco Industrial Technique UAE
Email: pca.mohan@atlascopco.com
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