In August 2005, GMA Middle East General Manager Giresh Ragoowanshi received an electronic job application from an aspiring young man.

Fresh out of the university in Pune with a mechanical engineering degree, Ajay Thanki was all set to build his career in United Arab Emirates.

Giresh reflects on bringing Ajay on board and his career growth with GMA for the past 10 years.

'Ajay had very little knowledge on abrasives and in fact, none on garnet abrasive. Besides his academic qualifications, he had less than a year of working experience with an abrasive manufacturer producing Calcined and Fused Alumina products in India. This caught my attention and I invited Ajay for a preliminary interview. 

Seeing his potential to grow with the company, GMA offered him the opportunity to join the expanding Waterjet Department, and promote GMA Garnet abrasive to the waterjet cutting industry, which was in its infancy stage at that time.

Ajay accepted the offer to lead the Sales & Service Department in 2006. He is a quick learner and showed keen interest in waterjet technology and cutting machines. He is also very active and supportive to his team members. 

Over  the  years, Ajay has grown from leading the Waterjet Department to becoming a technical specialist for waterjet cutting machines as well as an Abrasive Blasting and SSPC (Steel Structures Painting Council) Level 1 Inspector.

His desire for perfection will help him excel in his work and attain greater achievements in the future.  Ajay’s birthstone happens to be garnet, and the value he has brought to the GMA Group as an exceptional employee makes him a true garnet gem indeed'.    

By Stephanie Cheong, GMA Group