Manek Daver – A visionary aviation entrepreneur of India

Posted by Jyoti Singh Hooda on April 6th, 2021

Manek Daver is a name synonymous with grit and determination. Before becoming the founder of Indias first aviation services company of its type, he chose to pursue a bachelor's in Commerce after school. He then went on to complete his Masters in Commerce, completed his CA and ICWA course, and become a certified Chartered Accountant. 

In 1971, Manek F. Daver, who had always dreamt of being an entrepreneur, opened his first company- Livewel Packaging. The company provided packaging materials to textile mills and pharma companies across India. The company had its manufacturing plan at Panvel.

A first-generation entrepreneur, Manek, was ambitious and had plans to grow his company in a bigger way. About nine years later, Manek Daver launched the Livewel Interiors division. As the name suggests, the new division specialized in the commercial interiors fit-out product lines and focused on the country's banking sector. The first customer of this division was Citibank and later had many multinational banks contracting their interiors to Mr.Manek's company. The unique offering of the company was the contemporary design of branches and back offices of banks. It also included designing the residential and corporate centres of the banks too.

Manek established his third venture, Livewel Aviation, with two companies behind him in the year 1990. When it was launched, the company specialized in aircraft cleaning. Catering to the domestic airlines as part of the open sky policy, the company had Jet Airways as its first customer. Considered to be one of India's first aviation firms, Livewel Aviation grew by leaps and bounds and had no turning back after this. 

After Jet Airways, Livewel Aviation contracted as the aircraft cleaning company with Damania Airways, Air India, and Indian Airlines. Keeping his focus on growth and quality, Manek Daver ensured that his company gains international recognition and projects. As proof of his commitment to quality and standards, Livewel Aviation became the first ISO 9000 certified aviation services company in India. 

By 1998, Livewell Aviation entered the stream of aircraft maintenance for the interiors. It opened its DGCA-approved maintenance unit in Mumbai. The company now had a specialized team to offer exclusive interior repair and maintenance services to airlines. The facility's opening up was hailed as a landmark for the aviation industry as it helped airlines save money to get their aircrafts repaired and maintained within India, rather than going to repair units abroad. 

At the turn of the century, Livewel Aviation, under the leadership of Burzin Manek Daver, Manek Davers son, diversified into ground handling services. The company handles all the major airports within the country and has become a pioneer in India's aviation ground handling niche. Eight years later, a training institute called Livewel Academy was set up to offer professional training to aspiring people in the airline and aviation industry. The training institute had centres in Mumbai and Delhi and became a pedestal for many young professionals to realize their dreams of flying in the sky.  

It was not just in India; Manek Daver and his son followed their ambitious endeavours to expand the company across the Middle East.