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ARK Group founder Gummi Ramreddy
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Special interview on the 33-year journey
(King Johnson Koyyada)
He believed in hard work and never ignored values. He preferred honesty and happiness over business turnovers. Despite the losses, he did not get discouraged even during difficult times. Every task was taken up as a challenge with him leaving an indelible mark in construction sector. He always wanted to guide youth on the right path and hence, supported the poor students who are now serving as doctors, engineers and architects among other professionals. He gifted a cricket player for Indian women cricket team and encouraging many such talented youth. He had proved again and again that only when you love your work with all sincerity and heart, your life will be filled with happiness. He is none other than ARK Group founder Gummi Ramreddy. On the occasion of completion of 33 years of his entry into the realty sector, Real Estate Guru interacted with him exclusively. Here is what Ramreddy has to say about his journey.
It has been a three decades of journey in the real estate sector, all filled with hardships, losses, joys and many moments of satisfaction. I have done every work with love and passion. All the projects were taken up willingly. Defence, Science and Technology, Atomic Energy, Engineering Colleges, Tata Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Snyder – to name a few. I have done different projects for different organisations. While I made profits in some works, I gained experienced in others. I always take on new challenges efficiently and move forward with a positive attitude. I have understood the life’s truth that if we believe in hard work and work honestly, we can not only succeed but also lead others on the right path. With the support of my wife and children, blessings of parents, backing of staff, friends, clients, customers, vendors and bankers, I have been able to sustain ARK Group successfully for 33 years.
First contract worth Rs 1.5 lakh!
After completing civil engineering and working in a company for some time, in 1989 I got a contract in BDL Bhanur. Due to quality construction and timely delivery, I was awarded other contracts as well. Over next two years, I have executed works worth Rs 1.1 crore at BDL. Along with the staff quarters, I built the Chief Executive’s bungalow. Once the goodwill spread in the market, there was no looking back. Almost all contracts were received through referrals. All the clients gave a positive feedback and thus, companies like Tata Boeing and Lockheed Martin have invited me to execute their projects. I never worked for money alone and completed the projects as per schedule, not bothering whether it caused a profit or a loss. More than 50 projects including residential complexes, have been delivered as per schedule. Our projects like Cloud City, Serene County, ARK Homes have got CRISIL five star rating. In fact, ARK Homes in Bollaram was the first project in Hyderabad to get a CRISIL five star rating.
In pursuit of the goal
By 2030, I have set an ambitious goal of making ARK Group a Rs 5,000 crore company. Though the COVID had rattled the world for two years, we were able to take steps with persistence and commitment. We have already completed many projects like Hamptons, Tulip, ARK Eternal Springs. The projects at LB Nagar and Suryapet are in final stages of completion. Further, we launched projects like ARK Oaktree in Bangalore and ARK Samyak in Bachupally of Hyderabad. We are launching new projects in areas like Uppal, Bhimavaram and Kurnool.
Second generation
With the arrival of the second generation in our group, the thought process and functioning of the organisation has completely changed. The HR wing has been strengthened and the digital marketing has been overhauled. We recruited nearly 100 new employees in the last eight months. Our team does not encourage any kind of recommendations and recruitments are done strictly on merit basis.
Those who join ARK Group as an employee are unwilling to leave the organisation. Because we have been supporting them in every aspect since the beginning. We will help in funding their children’s education. One of our employees has a son in Canada and a daughter in a big software company. We treat employees with respect and treat them like family. Hence, they connect with us more and prefer to stay with us for more years.
While executing works for a company in Badrachalam, we faced many difficulties and we suffered severe losses. Even with 30 years of experience, we will end up in a helpless situation in some cases. In such conditions, one should accept the loss and move forward with proper planning to avoid such bitter experiences again. I decided not to worry too much about the issue.
Little Joys
ARK group founder Gummi Ramreddy is unique in his own way. He is enjoys the little pleasures one draws from helping poor students. He cherishes the achievements of such children. He supported a young cricketer Trisha for nearly four years and now she has been selected for the Indian Girls under-19 cricket team to play the World Cup. Another girl named Vennela is getting trained in badminton at Gopichand Academy. She has set her sights on winning an Olympic medal in 2028. He is also extending financial assistance to youth aspiring to become civil servants. Currently, 180 students are being supported in different ways.
- First contract in 1989
- Value: Rs.1.50 Lakhs
- How many projects completed so far?
- More than 50 projects
- ARK Group started: with one employee
- Currently: ARK Group has 230 employees directly, over 2,000 people indirectly
- Goal: To grow into a Rs 5,000 crore company by 2030
