Introduction
The journey of UV International, is a story of entrepreneurship, resilience, and technological adaptation in India’s evolving industrial landscape. Founded in 1995, UV International has grown from a small partnership venture into a respected supplier of industrial valves, solenoid valves, pneumatic valves, and specialised instrumentation solutions serving industries across India. Over nearly three decades, the company has built its reputation on technical expertise, strong ethical values, customer trust, and long-standing industry relationships.
The Beginning of UV International (1995)
UV International (UVI) was founded in July/August 1995 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, by two young entrepreneurs — V. Senthilkumaran and P. Krishnakumar. Both founders had professional experience in instrumentation, engineering products, and industrial marketing within Indian corporates. Around that time, Krishnakumar had just returned from Qatar, where he worked as a marketing professional in the instrumentation sector. During a meeting with his long-time friend Senthilkumaran in Anna Nagar, Chennai, the two began discussing the idea of building their own business. Senthilkumaran had recently returned to India after completing his Master’s degree in the United States and gaining corporate experience abroad. Inspired by the opportunity to build something meaningful in India’s growing industrial sector, the two decided to start a partnership firm focused on engineering products and industrial equipment.
Thus, UV International was born.
Identifying a Niche in Industrial Valves and Instrumentation
In the initial phase, UV International supplied testing instruments to laboratories and industrial facilities. However, the founders soon realised a major opportunity in the industrial valves segment. At that time, many global manufacturers of special application valves, solenoid valves, and pneumatic valves had very limited market reach within India. Leveraging Krishnakumar’s technical and marketing experience in solenoid valve applications, UV International began supplying specialised valve solutions to industries across India. The company quickly positioned itself as a reliable supplier of industrial instrumentation and application-based valve solutions, particularly for industries where large multinational valve manufacturers had limited reach. This strategic focus became the unique selling proposition (USP) of UV International.
Early Years: Building a Business in Pre-Digital India (1998–2003)
Building a business in the late 1990s was very different from today’s startup ecosystem. Email and internet connectivity were still emerging in India. Mobile phones were rare, and business communication depended heavily on landline calls, fax messages, and physical meetings. UV International initially operated from a garage office at Senthilkumaran’s residence in Chennai.
With limited staff and marketing tools, the founders personally travelled across India to meet potential customers, suppliers, and industry partners. Marketing activities involved:
- Direct visits to industrial plants
- Demonstrating valve applications
- Conducting field trials and testing
- Providing product samples
- Troubleshooting instrumentation problems
In many cases, this required visiting difficult industrial environments such as boilers, turbines, pipelines, and reactors to understand valve performance in real operating conditions. Travel was mostly by train, since air travel was expensive at the time. Brochures and introductory materials were sent by post or courier, and customer orders were typically received via fax messages. Despite these challenges, the founders remained committed to building a trustworthy business based on technical expertise and strong customer relationships. UV International managed to break even within four years of its founding.
The First Major Breakthrough (2000)
The turning point for UV International came in 2000, when the company secured a large order from a government organisation in the energy sector for the supply of solenoid valves sourced from Argentina. This successful project significantly boosted the company’s credibility. Soon after, additional orders began arriving from other branches of the same organisation. As the performance and reliability of the supplied valves became evident, other industries also began approaching UV International for instrumentation solutions. Gradually, the company became recognised as a dependable supplier of industrial valves and instrumentation equipment in India.
The Support System Behind the Entrepreneurial Journey
Like many growing businesses, UV International faced significant financial challenges in its early years. Support from family members, friends, and mentors played a critical role in helping the company survive and grow during this period. Among those who supported the founders were:
- Mr. K. Venkatesan, Senthilkumaran’s father
- Ravi, an NRI friend based in the United States
- Mr. Bashyam and several other well-wishers
Their encouragement, investments, and financial assistance helped sustain the business during its formative years. One of the most influential supporters of UV International during its early growth was Mr. Anantharaman, Senior Bank Manager at Canara Bank. Beyond providing banking facilities, he offered valuable mentorship and financial guidance to the founders. His advice included:
- Taking calculated business risks
- Planning annual financial requirements carefully
- Building long-term financial stability through disciplined savings
- His guidance helped UV International establish a strong financial foundation and expand its operations.
Building a Strong Sales Team
In 2002, Mr. Kannan joined UV International as General Manager – Sales, overseeing the Western region of India. With extensive experience in shop floor operations, assembly management, and instrumentation, he helped expand the company’s customer base across:
- Mumbai
- Pune
- Gujarat
- Maharashtra
- Rajasthan
- Madhya Pradesh
- Known for his calm and patient approach, Kannan quickly became a trusted partner for many customers seeking reliable valve solutions.
Expanding into Aerospace and High-Technology Applications (2005–2015)
By the mid-2000s, UV International had developed a strong reputation in the Indian industrial valves and instrumentation market. Several international manufacturers sought partnerships with UVI to establish their presence in India. The company also began supplying specialised valves for aerospace and space research applications, serving organisations involved in advanced engineering and critical industrial processes.
As India’s economy opened further, many multinational manufacturers eventually established their own offices in the country. Interestingly, several of these companies had initially entered the Indian market through their association with UV International. Despite later competition, UV International maintained cordial relationships with many of these companies.
Growth Across India
During this phase, UV International expanded its operations with branch offices in:
- Mumbai
- Pune
- Kolkata
- Delhi
Industrial automation was rapidly transforming Indian manufacturing. Technologies such as:
- Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC)
- Micro-dosing systems
- Differential pressure controllers
- Automated valve systems
- became widely adopted. UV International adapted to these technological shifts by expanding its supplier partnerships and product portfolio.
The Golden Growth Period (2010–2018)
Between 2010 and 2018, UV International experienced significant growth. During this period, the company’s annual turnover increased steadily from approximately ₹1 crore to around ₹4.35 crore. A fourfold growth in a few years. This phase marked the company’s strongest business expansion, supported by growing industrial automation and increasing demand for specialised valve solutions.
Formation of UV Fluid Control Ltd (2007)
To serve a broader range of industrial applications, the founders established UV Fluid Control Ltd (UV FLC) in 2007. This company focuses on:
- Special purpose valve solutions
- Application-based instrumentation products
- Advanced fluid control technologies
Over time, UV International has continued to add new supplier partnerships and specialised product offerings to serve emerging industry requirements.
Navigating the COVID-19 Pandemic
Like many companies worldwide, UV International faced major disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. However, the company managed to sustain operations thanks to continued demand from process industries, which still required maintenance and replacement of industrial instrumentation and valves.
Moving Forward with Innovation and Digital Transformation
Although the company faced challenges in 2022 and 2024, UV International continues to move forward with renewed energy. Today the organisation is strengthening its future by:
- Building a younger and dynamic sales team
- Introducing digital marketing strategies
- Expanding partnerships with advanced technology suppliers
- Supporting Industry 4.0 automation solutions
- The company is also exploring new industrial sectors and application areas, ensuring it remains relevant in a rapidly changing technological landscape.
The Values That Continue to Guide UV International
From the very beginning, UV International has been guided by a clear set of principles:
- Honest and ethical business practices
- Strong customer relationships
- Long-term partnerships with suppliers
- Commitment to employee growth
As founder P. Krishnakumar reflects:
“Good and honest business, strong ethics, sound policies, and meaningful relationships have always guided our journey. Even when challenges arise, we remain committed to these values. At the end of the day, we may be tired and our pockets may hold a few rupees less, but we sleep peacefully knowing we have conducted honest business.”
Looking Ahead
Nearly three decades after its founding, UV International continues to serve industries across India with specialised valve and instrumentation solutions.
With a strong legacy, experienced leadership, and a new generation of professionals, the company remains committed to innovation, quality, and customer trust as it moves into the future.
