Mani Erfan

President & Owner of IRA Industrial Solutions

Mani Erfan is a chemical engineer, global entrepreneur, and industrial leader with more than 33 years of experience in the catalyst industry. Based in Houston, Texas, he has built and led companies in catalyst manufacturing, purification processes, and recycling solutions. He established a catalyst company from the ground up, which grew into a global business with cumulative product sales of over $700 million before being sold in 2020. He currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of a catalyst-recycling enterprise generating approximately $8 million in annual revenue.

Early Life and Education

Mani was born in Iran in 1966. His father worked as a commercial pilot for the national airline and logged close to 38,000 flight hours, a total recognized among the highest globally at the time. In 1983, at 17, he relocated to the United States. Adjusting to a new language, culture, and academic system became part of his early journey.

In 1984, Mani began his undergraduate studies in Chemical Engineering at the University of Florida. Completing 157 credit hours in less than four years, he graduated in August 1988 with high honors and a cumulative GPA of 3.88.

Early Engineering Career

Shortly after graduating, he started his career as a Process Engineer at a major chemical company in Texas. From August 1988 to January 1990, he was responsible for evaluating operations, identifying performance gaps, and recommending technical improvements to align systems with production needs.

Sales Engineering at Haldor Topsoe

In 1990, Mani joined the Houston branch of a Danish catalyst company as a Sales Engineer specializing in ammonia catalyst sales. He was assigned to a 26-state territory that initially produced low revenue. His position combined customer service, technical advising, and sales execution.

Within three years, he increased annual sales in the region from approximately $1.4 million to $6.2-$6.5 million. His performance led to a promotion to Sales Manager, making him the youngest individual in that role at the time.

International Expansion at Parkans International

In 1993, he joined a Houston-based catalyst recycling and metal reclamation company as International Sales Manager. At the beginning of his tenure, international sales revenue was approximately $1 million annually.

Through his leadership, the company expanded its presence to Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Kuwait, Qatar, and various parts of the European Union. Over seven years, international revenue grew to nearly $11 million annually. He later advanced to the General Sales Manager role.

Founding and Building Unicat Catalyst Technologies

In 2000, Mani Erfan founded a catalyst company in Alvin, Texas, with initial capital of around $50,000 and no existing revenue. As President and CEO, he was responsible for all aspects of the business, including catalyst design, technical development, marketing, and international growth.

Over 21 years, the company became a globally recognized name in the catalyst industry, achieving cumulative product sales of over $700 million and reaching peak annual revenue of about $40 million. The business was sold in August 2020 for approximately $38 million.

Leadership at IRA Catalyst Consultants and IRA Industrial Solutions

In 1999, Mani also launched a consulting firm that eventually became an industrial solutions provider focused on catalyst recycling and metals recovery. Operating from Houston, the company has served clients across more than 10 countries.

As President and CEO, he oversaw the company's expansion. By 2021, it reached annual revenues of $7.5- $8 million, with international business accounting for a significant share of that total.

Evangelism and Ministry Leadership

Since 1992, he has been actively involved in evangelism and ministry efforts in Iran and the broader Middle East. He founded a nonprofit ministry that supports underground churches and oversees operations in several countries, including Turkey, Germany, Australia, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Ghana, and Georgia.

In 2016, he launched an online Bible college that has enrolled approximately 4,500 students. He also manages an online platform that offers support for individuals dealing with sexual addiction in the Middle East, currently serving around 1,500 clients.

Mani oversees a Farsi-language ministry platform that produces educational content for theological and spiritual growth. In 2024 and 2025, the platform delivered 152 programs aimed at training and outreach. The ministry currently supports more than 20 full-time pastors across the Middle East.

Philanthropy and Charitable Giving

For the past two decades, Mani Erfan has personally donated several million dollars to charitable and ministry-focused organizations. His annual contributions typically range from $200,000 to $300,000. He has supported churches and outreach initiatives in regions including Iran, Ghana, Nigeria, Turkey, Armenia, Bhutan, Greece, Australia, and the United States.

To know more, click this link below...

Mani Erfan: Leadership Principles for Managing Industrial Operations Across Multiple Countries
Mani Erfan Illustrates How Founder-Led Technical Companies Achieve Successful Exits
Mani Erfan: The Business Case for Sustainable Practices in Heavy Industry