N. S. Narendra
N S Narendra | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Coorg, Karnataka |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Alma mater | University of Mysore |
| Occupation | Founder of FirePro Systems |
N S Narendra is the chairman and managing director of FirePro Systems. He founded Firepro in 1992 with the intent of providing a professional platform in the Fire Solutions and Security space.[1] He is a first-generation entrepreneur and has scaled up Firepro Systems to a leadership position in the Fire Safety and Security industry in less than decades.[1]
Early life
Narendra's father was an engineer in the KEB.[2] Narendra was an Electronics engineering graduate from Mysore Universitys National Institute of Engineering in the year 1990, who specialised in electronics.[1][2] Narendra had been selected to join the army but he chose not to join at the last moment.[2] He worked with Steel Age Industries for two years in the Minimax division, which was into fire protection—it is now a part of a global conglomerate called Bunevo.[3] After he quit, he started his own company in December 1992.[3] It was registered as just Firepro because at that point in time, it was a proprietorship company.[3]
FirePro
Firepro is a company that has been providing integrated solutions for fire protection, security and building management systems. It takes an integrated approach towards providing fire protection and security and was catering to a fast-moving construction industry.[4] Narendra says, “I started with just Rs 10,000 which were my savings. It was just less money and a lot of ambition.” [5]
In 2008 when the real estate market suffered a setback, FirePro was affected. But in 2011, with N.S. Narendra as the chairman of Firepro Systems, the company became a leader in its sector. It had 1,300 employees and a business of Rs. 700 crore.[2] The company went global early and used to get 25% of its revenues from overseas.[6] However that same year, the company ran into a financial crisis and was unable to pay some of its employees.[7] On May 11, 2012, Panasonic announced plans to acquire a 76.2% stake in Firepro Systems.[8] Ever since Firepro is a part of Panasonic Corporation, Japan.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d Narendra, N S. "N. S. Narendra". Retrieved 11 April 2014.
- ^ a b c d "N.S. Narendra: The Fire Fighter". Forbes India. Retrieved 11 April 2014.
- ^ a b c "All fired up about his next move". Retrieved 11 April 2014.
- ^ "About Us". FirePro. Retrieved 11 April 2014.
- ^ Bagchi, Subroto (15 December 2013). Zen Garden: Conversations with Pathmakers. UK: Penguin. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
- ^ "India's Hidden Gems". Forbes. Retrieved 11 April 2014.
- ^ "FirePro Systems facing financial crisis". Times Of India. Retrieved 11 April 2014.
- ^ "Panasonic acquires 76% stake in Firepro-Systems". Economoctimes.indiatimes.com. May 11, 2012. Retrieved May 26, 2012.