Often, people chase the destination. I believe in the process that gets you there.
Born into a family of doctors, it seemed preordained that Mallika Fredericks would follow in her grandparents’ footsteps and enter the medical field. Yet Mallika had plans of her own. After high school, she resolved to explore different avenues — whatever her ultimate decision, she wanted it to be hers. She enrolled in a Bachelor of Science program with a specialisation in Chemistry at Nowrosjee Wadia College in Pune, then went on to earn an MBA in Marketing from the Neville Wadia Institute of Management Studies and Research. During her student years, she helped her father with administrative tasks at his engineering company, an experience that would eventually guide her to join his business.
Today, Mallika has spent 25 years, give or take, at Super Engineers, where she is both Partner and indispensable driving force. The company specialises in manufacturing and supplying CNC and VMC machined components to engineering firms in Europe and the United States.
On being a second-generation entrepreneur
“Being an entrepreneur was never a personal aspiration,” Mallika says, recalling how many people advised her to work elsewhere before joining the family firm. But Mallika had a clear sense of where she was needed. “I knew I could add value,” she says, “and my decision to take on that responsibility has paid off.”
Super Engineers was founded by Mallika's father a couple of decades before Mallika came on board, but that hardly made her job a stroll in the park. She was just 22 — “fresh out of college,” as she puts it. The steep learning curve demanded that she master technical knowledge, business acumen, and people management in short order.
Responsibility, she found out, is not always handed down; sometimes you have to grab it for yourself. One definitive moment arrived about six months into her tenure, when the company’s long-time accountant left for another opportunity. “I had a choice: fill that gap myself and take on the entire Accounts section, or wait and let my dad find a solution. I opted for the tougher route.”
She likens the challenge to “changing the tires of a car when it is in motion” — a technically demanding assignment. But Mallika found a way through: “I just showed up each day and did what needed to be done, learning on the job. I handled everything from data entry to finalising the balance sheet.”
Those who pictured a different track for Mallika might have imagined her biggest obstacles would come from working alongside her father. They are, in her own words, as different as chalk and cheese. Yet it was precisely that mismatch of personalities that helped the business flourish. “Our strengths, limitations, and perspectives beautifully complement each other, making us an effective team,” Mallika says, explaining that, despite the occasional disagreement, they share a common vision. “We always reminded ourselves we’re one team — so we found a way to come to a common ground, which helped the company reach greater heights.”
On working behind the scenes
Some assume that entrepreneurs crave the spotlight and the power that comes from calling the shots. But not every superhero — nor every Super Engineer — wears a cape. Mallika proudly labels herself part of the “backstage crew.”
“Early in my career,” she recalls, “my dad was the visionary and the face of the business, armed with the technical know-how. I worked behind the scenes, handling administration and finance, ensuring we were ready to take on any challenge.”
That backstage role reflects in part Mallika’s personality. She describes herself as reserved, with a “quiet exterior.” Beneath it lies a “faith in God, inner strength, resilience, and a love for knowledge”—attributes she has honed through her disciplined nature, hunger for a challenge, and penchant for reading.
Over time, Mallika’s role expanded. She developed skills that were, by her own admission, at odds with her natural temperament, all in the service of continuous learning and effective leadership. “In the early days, I was present at every meeting — listening, observing, learning, and providing input when needed. Understanding the nuances of the business has been my trump card in navigating this industry.”
Mallika’s knowledge, experience, and resilience have proved indispensable as she leads a team in a male-dominated industry. “I’ve faced my share of resistance and snide remarks,” she says. “But when people realise you know what you’re talking about, they respect you. This doesn’t happen overnight — it happens over time. Being knowledgeable about your industry and staying resilient to negative remarks is key to not just having a seat at the table, but a real voice at the table.”
On pioneering the export path
Super Engineers was founded in 1983, and for its first fifteen years, it catered primarily to India’s domestic market — a scene with limited elbow room for new players. Mallika’s father, however, had a bigger dream, “a vision to diversify into exports.” With father and daughter acting as the chalk-and-cheese duo — he the risk-taker, she the more cautious one — Super Engineers set its sights on international waters.
By 2001, that aspiration had become a reality.
Mallika likens those early forays into foreign markets to “a goldfish swimming with the sharks.” For a small, family-owned outfit, the journey was anything but straightforward. Today, she is relieved to see a more welcoming environment, thanks to fewer barriers, more opportunities, and the convenience of the digital age. “The industry now offers more opportunities to smaller entrepreneurs,” she says. “I’ve seen many small companies move into exports. I also love seeing more women operating machines— adding new energy to this field.”
On Super Engineers’ commitment to great service
Under Mallika’s and her father’s collective leadership, Super Engineers has carved out a robust niche, particularly in Europe and the United States. In 2012, they were honoured by the Alfa Laval Group — selected "Best Global Supplier" from among 4,000 suppliers.
But shiny accolades and a thriving bottom line aren’t the only indicators of success. Mallika emphasises that her team’s foremost goal is delivering top-tier customer experiences. “One of our clients is a large multinational with sites across Europe and the U.S. It is incredibly gratifying to hear that their various sites specifically request us for certain projects,” she says. “To have your work recognised and valued is deeply fulfilling.”
Achieving that recognition hinges on managing people well — employees, customers, and suppliers alike — what Mallika describes as “the most challenging yet fulfilling part” of her work. “Diverse personalities, expectations, and cultures make managing people tricky,” she explains. “But if you get this right, your business will thrive.”
And thrive it has. Super Engineers’ staff, Mallika says, shares the company’s commitment to premium customer service. “When your workforce is with you, heart and soul, they rise to every challenge,” she says.
She has seen her team work through the most daunting deadlines to ensure client deliverables are met, often exceeding expectations in the process. “The goal is to communicate at the right time, with the right words — whether it is internal or external stakeholders.”
Success balanced by humility
The market is changing, and Super Engineers must keep pace. In particular, European customers increasingly focus on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria. Robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) loom large in manufacturing, requiring significant upfront investment — no small feat for a smaller enterprise.
Yet Mallika remains confident, pointing to the company’s strong customer relationships, commitment to innovation, and culture of problem-solving as vital assets. Through all of it, she has come to appreciate that the journey matters more than the destination. “Often, people want to reach the goal but don’t want to go through the process. The process is the real deal — it’s what makes life fulfilling and enriching.”
For all the success Super Engineers has achieved, Mallika remains warm and humble. She credits her faith for much of it. “The last 25 years have been a roller coaster — I’ve laughed and cried, succeeded and failed, all the while evolving into the entrepreneur I am today.
Of course there were times I wanted to throw in the towel, but my faith in God and my quiet determination got me through. Without faith, we could have achieved nothing. By His grace, our business has grown from strength to strength." Her mother, also a partner in Super Engineers is her rock in tough times. Her husband, Rohan, who joined the company in 2019, is her biggest cheerleader, she says.
Whatever the secret ingredient — whether grit, faith, a supportive ecosystem or a bit of all — one thing is certain: this goldfish has not only survived among the sharks; it has flourished. And in a business environment where bigger fish often gobble up the little ones, that alone is quite the feat.