Patel Plastic Works

Plot No. 5063 in the Gidc Estate is where we’ve been set up for years now. It’s not far from Layka Chowkdi, which is a landmark most people use to find their way to us. The estate is a huge place and it’s easy to get lost if you don't know the specific plot numbers. Our workshop isn't very large, but we manage to fit all our equipment inside without bumping into each other too much. It’s mostly just us working on different plastic parts throughout the day. The air smells a bit like melting plastic sometimes, but you get used to it after a week or two of working here. We started this business because we wanted to work for ourselves instead of for someone else. It hasn’t been easy, especially during the summers when the metal shed gets really hot. We have a couple of fans but they mostly just move the warm air around. We usually take our lunch together on some plastic crates in the back area. There’s a guy who brings tea around in the afternoon, which is usually the highlight of our day. We don't have a receptionist or anyone to answer the phone, so we just pick up when we hear it over the noise of the machines. The floor is always covered in small plastic scraps despite our cleaning. We just focus on getting the work done and making sure everything looks right before it leaves the gate.