Meet The Man Behind The Dream
Mr. Rakesh Chopdar
Chairman | CEO
Mr. Rakesh Chopdar is a first-generation entrepreneur and the founder of AZAD Engineering, a leading manufacturer of highly engineered, critical components for the Aerospace, Defence, Energy and Oil & Gas Sectors.
Having dropped out of high school, Mr. Chopdar began working at age 16 in his father’s workshop. This hands-on experience shaped his deep understanding of manufacturing and grounded his leadership in hard work, humility, and innovation.
He established AZAD in 2008 in Hyderabad, India, starting from scratch as a CNC machine operator. Over the past 17 years, through perseverance and vision, he has transformed AZAD into a globally recognized organization. AZAD is now a publicly listed company with a market capitalization of over $1.3 billion.
Today, AZAD Engineering serves some of the world’s top OEMs, including GE Vernova, Mitsubishi, Siemens, Toshiba, MAN, Doosan Skoda, GE Aviation, Boeing, Honeywell, Eaton, Rolls Royce, Pratt & Whitney, Rafael, BHEL, HAL, and Baker Hughes among others.
AZAD has grown to employ over 1500+ people and operates more than 350+ state-of-the-art machines. Its world-class manufacturing facility spans 25,000 sq.m, with two new plants under development totaling an additional 175,000 sq.m. representing a tenfold increase in capacity.
Mr. Chopdar envisions transforming the entire manufacturing industry using digital manufacturing technologies and Industrial AI. His mission is to revolutionize everything from product design and production to supply chain and administration. He aims to position India as a global hub for precision manufacturing by creating a one-stop, world-class destination that meets the end-to-end needs of international OEMs.
Mr. Chopdar lives in Hyderabad with his wife, Jyoti, and their two sons, Kartik and Satwik. His story is a testament to the power of vision, resilience, and the belief that world-class enterprises can rise from humble beginnings.
To strike opportunities, seek passion instead of luck.
– Mr. Rakesh Chopdar