Suparjya swain 
FEATURE: In 2020, while industries slowed and uncertainty loomed large, Mr. Milan Mishra returned to Odisha with a vision — not just to build a business, but to transform the state’s ready-mix concrete (RMC) landscape. Armed with over 12 years of industry experience across national giants like Lafarge, Prism Cement, and RDC Concrete, Mr. Mishra saw a gap where most saw risk. Odisha’s RMC market was barely touched — with only 12% of its potential explored — and he was determined to change that.
That determination gave birth to Duramix Concrete India Pvt. Ltd., co-founded with like-minded partners Mr. Aayush Sanganeria and Mr. Basant Nath, who believed in the vision, offered strategic and financial support, and helped shape a roadmap for success. Together, they launched Duramix at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic — a move that seemed risky, but ultimately proved revolutionary.
Duramix entered a competitive market with 14–15 existing players, including six national brands. But it wasn’t just another concrete supplier. The company quickly made its mark by taking on and successfully delivering high-stakes projects for Bharat Biotech and the Kalinga Stadium Extension with L&T — showcasing its operational excellence, commitment to timelines, and reliability.
At the heart of this success is Duramix’s flagship 120-cubic-meter RMC plant in Jatni — the first of its kind in Odisha. Fully equipped with automation in fiber dosing, temperature control, and quality tracking, the facility embodies Mr. Mishra’s belief that concrete delivery can be both high-tech and human-centric.
One of Mr. Mishra’s most disruptive ideas is to reimagine RMC delivery the way food or cabs are delivered — on-demand, app-based, and real-time. His vision is to build a digital platform where customers can order concrete, track the ETA, view the delivery route, and receive their order with complete transparency and minimal hassle.
“Execution is everything,” says Mr. Mishra. “In RMC, time is critical — the product’s shelf life is just 3-4 hours. You need a system that responds in real-time, not corporate red tape.” His focus on lean operations and rapid execution is what differentiates Duramix from traditional players.
Mr. Mishra’s ambitions go beyond business. In a male-dominated industry, he envisions a workforce with 40–50% women. He believes women bring resilience, attention to detail, and leadership qualities that can redefine the concrete sector’s culture.
“Women constantly face challenges in proving themselves,” he says. “But they’re just as capable — sometimes more — of thriving in this space. I want Duramix to be a place that reflects that belief.”
According to Mr. Mishra, Odisha is just beginning its infrastructure growth story. With 88% of the RMC market still untapped, the opportunities are vast. “We’re at the edge of a construction boom,” he says. “But to sustain this, we need a well-defined ecosystem.”
He calls for government intervention to provide designated zones for concrete manufacturing. Since raw materials and land are largely under government control, clear industrial zones would allow new players to set up operations without fear of relocation or regulatory surprises.
For Mr. Mishra, supplying concrete is a responsibility that lasts long after the project is completed. “What you deliver today becomes the foundation of structures meant to endure for decades,” he says. “If something fails due to poor quality, your name may not be known — but the responsibility is still yours.”
He urges newcomers to treat the industry with integrity. “Be true to your product, your clients, and yourself — because what you build carries lives.”
This perspective underpins the trust-driven culture at Duramix — one where quality and accountability are non-negotiable.
For those entering the field, Mr. Mishra’s advice is simple but profound: start with purpose and stay accountable. “You’re not just selling concrete — you’re shaping cities and communities,” he says. “This industry is welcoming, but you must carry the weight of the work you do. Integrity is the only way to last.”
