Kaushik “Kosh” Daphtary received a letter inviting him to attend an event at the Delaware River Port Authority in Camden, NJ. That event was the announcement of the formation of the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia - the year was 2002.
Marty Schiffman, current board member and one of the founders of the WTCGP was introducing the audience to the newly appointed President, Joanna Savvides.
“There were about 30 companies represented in the room that day,” recounts Kosh Daphtary, President of Chemtech International. “Marty announced Joanna as President and then asked if anyone in the room would want to become a member of the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia. I raised my hand and Marty asked me to write a check,” Daphtary says smiling.
“I was the very first member of the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia.”
This year, Chemtech International will receive the first Legacy Award from the WTCGP at our 16th Annual World Trade Centers Day Annual Awards and Celebration taking place at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts on May 3, 2018.
“It’s only fitting that Chemtech International will receive the first Legacy Award,” says Linda Conlin, President of WTCGP. “During one of our team discussions, we realized that during our annual awards celebration we also need to recognize those companies who have stood by us and believe in the mission of our organization.”
Kosh Daphtary is currently Chairman and CEO of Chemtech International. Kosh’s son Neel Daphtary is President and his wife Surma Daphtary is Managing Director.
History of Chemtech International
Kosh Daphtary arrived in the United States in 1963 and within a short time, earned a bachelor degree in chemical engineering and chemistry, a master’s degree in chemical engineering and completion of the Wharton School of Business Management Graduate Program. In 1984, with a $400 investment and experience in a variety of industries including pulp and paper, plant design, construction and chemical Kosh and his wife Surma decided to start their own company – Chemtech International. Within 2 years, Kosh traveled to Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia and after finding some eager entrepreneurs, he secured his first distributors. Soon, he was spending almost 70 percent of his time traveling overseas for one to two months at a time. While he traveled extensively overseas and within the U.S. to build the business and customer base, Kosh’s wife and co-founder, Surma, was in charge of administration and business at home. Surma also traveled domestically and internationally when necessary to meet with customers and distributors.
Over the years Chemtech has participated in several Trade Missions and Expos organized by the PA Department of Community & Economic Development and the U.S. Commercial Services offices, which took him to Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, France, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Beijing, Mexico and South Africa. Kosh also took several trade missions with former Governors Tom Ridge and Mark Schweiker. By 1999, 30 percent of Chemtech’s business was international.
Chemtech Awards
In 2000, then Governor Tom Ridge sent Kosh Daphtary two letters. The first letter arrived on March 7, 2000 congratulating Chemtech International as a “PA 100 Company”, which entitled the company to free services by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Export Consortium’s (SEPEC), to help develop and build its international marketing strategy.
A short time later in August of 2000, Governor Tom Ridge sent another letter to Kosh, this time congratulating Chemtech International as the winner of the Governor’s Export Excellence Award; an award Chemtech would receive again two years later by Governor Mark Schweiker. In 2002, Chemtech also received the Export Achievement Certificate from the US Department of Commerce / US Commercial Service for its accomplishments in the global marketplace.
Chemtech offers a broad range of innovative environmental and safety compatible products and technologies with applications in various market segments: packaging, materials handling and environmental related products serving the chemical, electronics, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals and automotive industries.
Ron Drozd, WTCGP Export Services Manager has been proud to assist Chemtech in 28 countries, including India, Belgium, the Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Taiwan, France, Vietnam, Germany, China, the Czech Republic, Poland, Russia, Brazil, Chile, Spain, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Japan, Thailand, Hungary, Norway, Malaysia, South Korea, and Indonesia. Chemtech’s export sales represent 50% of total revenues.
Chemtech International now exports products to over 50 countries.
And Chemtech exports are “Made in America. “The factories we work with are in the United States, and not one product is imported, “says President, Neel Daphtary. “Our business is growing.”
Technological advances in international business have helped companies like Chemtech maintain a presence in the marketplace without having to board an airplane for meetings.
“Our transactions are done virtually, every day. We are able to reach a broad range of people and stay in touch with our loyal customers,” adds Neel. Our customers use smartphones and we are able to respond to their needs immediately.
While Kosh embraces new technology, he still believes that nothing compares to a face-to-face meeting with customers.
“I used to travel an average of 180 days a year outside of the US and I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Kosh says. “Our success is due to our staying power and our strong commitment to our customers. The hallmark of Chemtech’s success for the past 33 years is our goal to maintain continuity and strong customer perception. We have built a reputation to meet and exceed quality and service remain loyal to our suppliers.”
Chemtech International currently serves on the WTCGP Advisory Council since its inception, and also serves on the Board of the Global Philadelphia Association.
Congratulations to the Daphtary family for their commitment to the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia and for believing in our mission.
