Driven by Waste, Defined by Vision!
Most people look at success and see luck. A twist of fate. A chance encounter. A fortunate break. But peel back the layers, and you will find that real success is rarely about luck, it is about grit, perseverance, and the strength to rise every time you fall.
For Maddy Gupta, success was not handed to him. It was not born out of privilege or shortcuts. It started in a modest town in India, where dreams often took a backseat to survival, and opportunities felt like a distant luxury. But even as a child, he was different. There was a fire in him, an instinct to question the limits life placed around him.
When he moved to Melbourne for his education, it was like stepping into a world ten times bigger than the one he came from. The scale of opportunity, the pace of life, the hunger to grow, it opened his eyes. And instead of being overwhelmed, he acknowledged it with open arms.
He began small, just like many dreams do. Recycling clothes for second-hand stores. It was a humble beginning, but it laid the foundation for something far greater. It was during this time that he stumbled upon a truth that would change the course of his life: the untapped potential of metal recycling.
In 2007, that spark turned into a fire, and Manhari Metals was born.
But building something from scratch is never easy. There were times when everything seemed to work against him. The systems, the market, the learning curve, the doubters. But Maddy didn’t stop. He couldn’t. Every setback became a lesson, every challenge became a ladder.
He poured himself into his work, early mornings, long nights, endless problem-solving. Not just to build a company, but to build something meaningful. Under his leadership, Manhari Metals became more than a recycling business. It became a pioneer in sustainability, known for its commitment to quality, innovation, and responsibility.
From introducing sensor sorters to streamlining processes with cutting-edge management systems, Maddy’s vision was always clear: build something that lasts, something that matters.
Maddy’s story is an example of what happens when you refuse to give up. When you believe, work, fall, and rise again. And somewhere out there, in a small town, a child will read this and believe that their dreams aren’t too small.
Because Maddy once dared to believe the same.
Let us learn more about his journey:
The Story of Maddy Gupta
When Madhur Gupta, known to most as Maddy, left his small town near Delhi in 2003, he carried more than just a suitcase to Australia. He carried hope. Hope for a better future, for new opportunities, and for a life that meant more than survival. He didn’t come from privilege, but he had something more powerful: determination.
Landing in Melbourne to pursue his Master’s at Monash University, Maddy was just another international student trying to make ends meet. But it was here, in a land of strangers, that his real education began. To support himself, he knocked on doors as a sales rep, often facing rejection, sometimes slammed doors, but never losing his smile. These weren’t just jobs, they were lessons in resilience, in communication, and in human behavior. And while most people saw scrap as trash, Maddy saw potential.
The Birth of Manhari Metals
In 2007, that vision took shape. With a few metal bins and a lot of courage, Maddy launched Manhari Metals, a name that would soon be etched into Victoria’s recycling history. What started as a modest scrap collection initiative quickly turned into a full-fledged operation. By 2009, the company had acquired a business in Horsham, extending its footprint across the region. As the business expanded, Maddy’s vision began to take on greater shape, not just in terms of operations but in the long-term impact the company would have on the community and the environment.
Today, Manhari Metals is no longer just a business, it’s an ecosystem. With over 120 employees and massive processing facilities in Tottenham, Horsham, and Ararat, the company handles everything from end-of-life vehicles and white goods to construction and agricultural waste. The scale is impressive: the Tottenham plant alone processes 180,000 metric tons of material each year. In addition to its core business of scrap metal collection, processing, and export, the company’s services also cater to industrial and residential clients with offerings like free pickup and bin services, factory and site cleanups, and the hassle-free removal of old vehicles.
Manhari Metals is committed to reducing its environmental footprint through sustainability initiatives that extend beyond metal recycling. In collaboration with REVERT, the company established a circular economy hub in regional Victoria, focusing on recycling materials like tyres, solar panels, and lithium batteries, key steps toward a more sustainable future. Moreover, with its expertise in battery recycling, including both lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries, Manhari Metals ensures responsible processing that helps protect the environment.
The company’s export services extend to over 26 countries, including manufacturing giants like India and China, where materials like UBC, HMS 80/20, and Elmo are in high demand. The company’s approach to exportation is built on maintaining the highest standards of service, consistently offering competitive pricing and ensuring that each transaction is seamless.
With a deep belief in community engagement, Manhari Metals also supports local initiatives through sponsorships, including partnerships with organizations like Cricket Victoria and regional sports teams. The company is not just invested in recycling, it’s invested in the future, building stronger, more sustainable communities.
Built on Relationships, Driven by Purpose
Ask Maddy the secret behind this meteoric rise, and he won’t talk about machines or money. He’ll talk about people. About relationships. About doing the right thing, even when it’s hard. In an industry as unpredictable as recycling, where global metal prices can swing like a pendulum, Manhari Metals has stood firm by focusing on fair pricing, exceptional service, and operational excellence.
The company owns its entire supply chain, from collection bins to high-tech sensor sorters. This vertical integration allows for cost efficiency and agility, enabling them to adapt in real time to a dynamic market. With cutting-edge tech and a clear focus on quality, Manhari Metals has not only kept pace with the industry, it’s often led the way.
Financial success has followed. With a revenue milestone of over US$101 million and 90% of its products exported globally, Manhari Metals is a true testament to how vision paired with grit can cross borders and rewrite destinies.
A Vision for Sustainability and Community
But numbers only tell half the story. At the heart of Maddy’s mission is a deeper purpose: sustainability. He’s steering the company beyond traditional recycling into a full-fledged circular economy model. New plants are in the pipeline, each designed to push Victoria closer to its environmental goals.
And Maddy hasn’t forgotten his roots, or the community that embraced him. Through partnerships Manhari Metals gives back generously, nurturing community spirit and supporting local talent. To him, success means little unless it uplifts others.
Family, Faith, and the Road Ahead
Behind the entrepreneur is a devoted family man. Maddy brought his parents to Australia to live with his wife, Pooja, and their two children. The values he learned at home, honesty, humility, and hard work, are now embedded in Manhari’s corporate culture.
He doesn’t shy away from admitting his failures. In fact, he embraces them. Every stumble, he believes, is a stepping stone. That mindset has seen him through storms most would’ve crumbled under.
His leadership hasn’t gone unnoticed. With nominations like the Indian Executive Club Award in the Medium Business category, Maddy’s story continues to inspire.
But if you ask him what lies ahead, he won’t talk about awards. He’ll talk about building a future where business and sustainability walk hand in hand. Where waste isn’t the end of the line, but the beginning of something new.
A Legacy Forged in Metal and Meaning
Maddy’s story is not just about building a business, it’s about building a life of purpose. From a young dreamer in India to the founder of one of Australia’s most prominent recycling companies, his journey is a tribute to what can happen when courage meets opportunity.
Through Manhari Metals, he’s not just changing how we recycle, he’s changing how we think about second chances. In scrap, he saw value. In challenges, he saw growth. And in himself, he saw someone who could make a difference.
And he did.