FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS TO GLOBAL DEFENCE INNOVATION

SM Group is a trusted Indian manufacturer of advanced defence equipment, offering specialised protection solutions for armed forces, police, and security agencies.

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In the heart of Punjab during the 1980s, SMPP Limited began its journey not as a defence technology powerhouse, but as a modest manufacturer of pulp-moulded packaging. At the time, the agricultural region required simple yet effective packaging solutions, and SMPP answered the call by producing pulp moulded packaging, which was not only environmentally friendly but also cost-effective that supported local farmers and traders. But the seeds of innovation were already being sown.

Soon, the company expanded into more complex packaging solutions, developing specialised trays for the safe transport of apples—an essential crop for the region. These early steps in materials science and manufacturing would later prove to be critical in SMPP’s transformation. "We started small, focusing purely on meeting local needs," reflects Ashish Kansal, now at the helm of SMPP. "Little did we realise those early projects were laying the foundation for something much bigger."

The pivotal shift came with the involvement of Dr Shiv Chand Kansal, an IIT Bombay alumnus whose background in chemical engineering proved invaluable. Dr Kansal’s innovative approach to material science led to the creation of specialised casings based on an indigenous chemical formula. This breakthrough marked SMPP’s first steps into advanced manufacturing and set the stage for a decisive entry into the defence sector.