In a world where waste is often overlooked, one woman saw an opportunity and turned it into a thriving business. Meet Poonam Gupta, the 'Paper Queen', who transformed her struggle for employment into a groundbreaking paper recycling company with a global footprint and an Rs 800 crore turnover.
Early Life and Education
Born in New Delhi on August 17, 1976, Poonam excelled in her studies from an early age, securing her place at esteemed institutions like Lady Irwin School, Delhi Public School, and Lady Shri Ram College. Her academic journey led her to earn an Honors degree in Economics followed by an MBA in International Business and Marketing, qualifications she attained from the prestigious Delhi University, FORE School of Management, and Maastricht School of Management.
A Rocky Start Abroad
After marrying Puneet Gupta in 2002, Poonam relocated to Scotland, envisioning a thriving career ahead. However, the job market proved challenging. Despite her qualifications and drive, she faced repeated rejections, an experience familiar to many immigrants worldwide.
Turning Trash into Treasure
It was during her quest for employment that Poonam noticed a consistent scene—piles of waste paper in offices. This observation sparked a business idea that would not only address environmental concerns but also create a new market opportunity. With an initial investment of Rs 1 lakh, supported by a Scottish Government scheme, Poonam founded PG Paper Company Ltd in 2003.
PG Paper Company Ltd: An Eco-Conscious Venture
Starting from her family residence in Kilmacolm, Poonam embarked on her mission to recycle scrap paper. Her company began by sourcing discarded paper from European and American companies. Today, PG Paper has expanded its reach to over 60 countries, including Scotland, Europe, America, and India, transforming waste into high-quality paper products.
PG Paper Company Ltd products
PG Paper Company Ltd offers a wide range of paper and board products sourced from manufacturers in the UK and worldwide. Here are some of the categories of their products:
1. **Printing and Writing Papers**: This includes newsprint, woodfree coated, supercalendered, and lightweight coated paper.
2. **Packaging Grades**: They offer folding box board, fluting and testliner, and corrugated board.
3. **Speciality Grades**: This category includes thermal paper, kraft paper, sublimation paper, and tissue paper.
4. **Graphical Grades**: They offer a variety of graphical grades such as woodfree uncoated and coated (WFU/WFC), art paper, supercalendered (SCA), lightweight coated (LWC), coated one side (C1S) – label paper, flexible packaging, and Chromo.
5. **Packaging Grades**: This includes kraft paper, solid bleached sulphate (SBS), folding box board (FBB), GC1, GC2, and corrugated grades such as testliner, fluting, and kraft liner.
A Success Story Spanning Decades
Now, at 47, Poonam Gupta's enterprise boasts an impressive turnover of Rs 800 crore. The once struggling job seeker has become a business magnate, working with numerous prestigious companies. PG Paper is a testament to the power of a single idea to change a life, and indeed, the industry.
Conclusion
Poonam Gupta's journey is more than a personal victory; it's an inspiring narrative for entrepreneurs and environmentalists alike. Her innovative approach to recycling has turned PG Paper Company Ltd into a beacon of sustainability and economic growth, proving that with determination and a keen eye for opportunity, one can turn even the most challenging situations into unparalleled success.
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