Harshad Shah, 71 Founder of Hamilton Plastics
Harshad Shah is having it all these days. Shah, whose 71st birthday is later this month, is a doting grandfather of seven — five in Chattanooga, two in Memphis — but he still runs Hamilton Plastics, the Chattanooga-based manufacturing business he launched 38 years ago.
“If I’ve got the energy, why stay home?” says Shah, who emigrated to the United States from India 50 years ago. He spent the next dozen years working in research in development before starting Hamilton Plastics in 1986.
Shah has been honored by Chattanooga’s business community on multiple occasions across the years — he was named Chattanooga Area Manager of the Year in 2008 and inducted into the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Business Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame in 2013, to name just two.
He guided his company through the global pandemic and oversaw a major expansion in recent years, but admits his schedule might lay out a little differently these days.
“I might go in at 10 (a.m.) or 10:30 sometimes,” he says, “but I’ve got to have access to those (grand)kids. We play Pickleball. We go to lunch. I pick them up from school. My wife and I cook special for them.
“(My grandkids) called from Memphis and said, ‘There’s a Grizzlies game, can you come?’ I’m there,” he adds. “They’re a lot of fun.”
What keeps you excited/interested in continuing to work in your field?
It’s exciting — new technology keeps coming. In the past four years, we invested almost $15 million in new technology and machinery that will allow us to lead the pouch and long-shelf-life product categories in the retail food market.
The company will be 38 years old in July. I’ll be 71 (this month), my doctor says I’m in good health, I don’t feel any restrictions, my son works with me, developing his new business and strategizing this business (Hamilton Plastics) and I still take plenty of vacations.
How has your industry changed over the course of your career, and how has your company adapted?
In the past four decades, the plastics industry, and the world in general, have changed considerably. In that time, there have been incredible advancements in technology, massive disruption in the supply chain, and amazing product innovation throughout the plastics industry.
We have answered these challenges in several ways. First, we have always focused on investing our profits back in the company. Next, we integrate. Ten years ago, my son, Guru Shah, started Shah Trucking and Logistics to control what Hamilton Plastics spends on freight — and he’s also growing his business as well.
Lastly, we constantly innovate. I started my career as an entrepreneur as an R&D and testing expert, so developing new products is my passion. We are excited about the new markets we are entering and will continue to invest, integrate, and develop to navigate the ever-changing plastics market.
What are some habits or strategies that have helped you succeed?
Attention to detail. Create a family environment — create a bond, just like my family. We have key employees here who average 25-plus (years of service). Offer loyalty to your vendors and earn the appreciation of your customers.
What are some ways you’re preparing the next generation to lead?
It’s a difficult thing to plan, but all of my kids have been involved in the business at one time or another. My son is with me now, and he and I strategize every day. We have key managers who are approaching 60 (years of age) and we value their opinions. We’re working to create a new generation, (people) in their 30s and 40s to lead the operation as well.