A. K. Industries

Down at Plot No. 1315 in Phase-3 of the GIDC in Vatva, you'll find A. K. Industries. It’s a standard industrial shed like many others in this part of Ahmedabad. The morning starts with the sound of the shutters rolling up and the smell of the nearby factories. We have a lot of stuff packed into this space. There are rows of machines and piles of raw materials that we move around with the hand trolley. The floor has seen better days, but it’s sturdy enough for the heavy loads we handle. We don’t have a big team, just a handful of us who know how to run the equipment. Most of the day is spent listening to the hum of the motors and checking the gauges. We eat lunch together on the small bench outside when it’s not too dusty. Vatva is a busy place and there’s always a truck blocking the lane or someone shouting for a signature on a delivery note. We keep the paperwork in a filing cabinet that sticks sometimes. It isn't a place for meetings or presentations; it’s a place where we actually make things. The windows are high up and covered in a bit of grime from the industrial smoke, so we keep the overhead lights on all day. We just focus on getting the daily tally done and making sure the machines are oiled for the next morning.