Mangaluru: Mangaluru further cemented its status as a key industrial hub with the inauguration of a cutting-edge Tanker Calibration Unit by SS Metals and Industries on Tuesday. The launch event, held at the Ocean Pearl Hotel, showcased the city’s growing significance in liquid handling precision and compliance services.
The state-of-the-art unit—strategically located at Baikampady Industrial Area—aims to provide high-precision tanker calibration for businesses involved in handling bulk liquids like oil, chemicals, and petroleum products. Fully authorized by the Department of Legal Metrology, the unit is expected to ensure improved regulatory compliance, accuracy in measurement, and operational transparency.
The launch drew an impressive line-up of industry leaders and dignitaries. Among the attendees were Rev. Dr. Dexter S. Maben of St. Andrew’s Church, Bengaluru; Sunil A Jonas, Director of Jonas Group; and Sandhya Deepa Jonas, Partner at SS Metals. Senior representatives from major energy players such as MRPL, IOCL, BPCL, HPCL, Reliance Industries, SHELL, and Nayara Energy were also present. B. Sudarshan, Executive Director (Refinery) at MRPL, was felicitated for his contributions to the sector.
Speaking at the event, Sandhya Jonas highlighted the unit’s importance: “This facility is a vital step forward for industries in and around Mangaluru. It ensures both precision and regulatory compliance, which are critical in liquid goods management.”
Eco-Friendly Legacy and Industry Firsts:
SS Metals, founded by Sandhya Deepa Jonas in 2006, is the flagship venture of the Jonas Group, which has steadily expanded its footprint across multiple industrial segments.
In 2020, the company made headlines by launching Karnataka’s first fully automated tanker washing unit integrated with a KSPCB-authorized Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP). Treated water from the ETP is reused for tank rewashing, significantly reducing freshwater use—an initiative praised for its eco-friendly impact.
Now, with the calibration unit in full operation, SS Metals is offering essential services to industries requiring precise volume measurements for legal trade, safety, and environmental compliance.
A Journey of Growth and Innovation:
The Jonas Group’s story traces back to Sunil A Jonas, who began his career in 1991 after Pre-University studies at St. Aloysius, Mangaluru. After early stints in shipbreaking and a leadership role at Galadari Automobiles in Dubai, he returned to India to launch Sannidhi Enterprises in 2001.
His entrepreneurial journey gained momentum after marrying Sandhya Deepa Jonas in 2002, who became a co-partner in various ventures. The group diversified into mining, transport, and eventually launched Jonas Petro Products in 2010, which became Karnataka’s only KSPCB-authorized waste oil management firm, pioneering responsible hazardous waste disposal on the coast.
With the latest addition of the tanker calibration facility, Mangaluru is now better equipped to serve the growing demands of the petrochemical and bulk liquid transport sectors, offering infrastructure that combines innovation, precision, and sustainability.