Architect of Camlin’s legacy
“My best learning from life is that it is necessary to acquire new knowledge/technique and skill every day from formal and informal sources available to you and should never be content with what you have achieved and aspire to the greater height in your life”.
Subhash Dandekar was the creative mind behind the iconic stationery company Camlin, who introduced colour to the Indian masses.
Showing off expensive compass boxes with buttons or a steel
geometry box complete with sketch pens and math boxes, was one of the treasures of childhood during the 1980s and 1990s. Many people have pleasant recollections of Camlin for their time in school. It makes one wonder how many lives Subhash Dandekar touched.
Subhash got an inheritance as well as a business. In 1931, D.P. and G.P. Dandekar, brothers, established the business as Dandekar & Co., beginning with Horse Brand tablets and powders for ink. They soon started manufacturing Camel stamp ink for fountain pens. In 1946, the business received recognition as a private enterprise.
After pursuing undergraduate degree in chemistry from Mumbai University, Subhash joined Camlin in 1958 as a technical director. He later enrolled for his post graduate studies in colour chemistry at Glasgow, UK. Following his father’s retirement in 1960, he took over and opened up new opportunities for the business. He led the development of the company’s
offerings beyond stationery goods by introducing premium painting supplies, office
supplies, professional artist tools and educational supplies like math instruments, pencils, erasers,
markers and inks.
The company, renamed Camlin Ltd., in 1988 solidified its position as the market leader in
stationery. In 1998, it changed its status to a public limited company. His dedication to innovation and excellence established benchmarks in the sector. He encouraged entrepreneurship,
innovation, transformed the Indian stationery market, and advanced industrial growth. Subhash consistently highlighted the significance of upholding product excellence.
Numerous job opportunities were also made possible by his vision and dedication, favourably affecting countless families. In addition to his business skills, he ensured that labour was treated with dignity and corporate procedures met ethics.
Until May 2002, he served as Camlin’s Executive Chairman. During that time, he expanded the company’s market and demonstrated a thorough grasp of customer needs. A pivotal decision that influenced the later stages of his career was his managing the sale of Camlin to Kokuyo Co Ltd, the Japanese stationery giant for Rs. 366 crores, for a 50.74% share in Camlin in 2011.
This move created fresh opportunities for the brand’s development and global reach. It made it possible for Kokuyo items to be sold in India, and Camlin began to spread abroad. With over 2,000 products that meet a variety of customer needs, Camlin’s position as a top stationery brand in India was cemented. He continued as Kokuyo Camlin’s Chairman Emeritus.
Even with its aspirations to become a global brand, Camlin was still a household name in India, and its distinctive yellow geometry box was a mainstay in classrooms all over the nation. Camlin gained a solid reputation, associated with high-quality educational items, quality, dependability and creativity.
During his tenure (1990 to 1992) as President, Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce and Industries, he contributed to the growth of Maharashtra’s industrial sector. He successfully headed the Chamber during the time when India transitioned to an open economy and worked to prepare traders and business owners throughout the State for the upcoming challenges.
He was honoured with multiple awards, including the Game Changers of Maharashtra award and the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Subhash Dandekar, was 86 when he died in Mumbai in July. He is survived by a son and a daughter. His impact on education and creativity will always be acknowledged.