In an exclusive conversation with Claus from Food Infotech, Sanjay Jain, Director, Elanpro discussed in detail on the recent innovations and technologically advanced sustainable solutions introduced by the company for the Retail and Foodservice Industry, apart from sharing more details on some of their top-selling solutions that not only focus on energy efficiency, but also maintain food quality and safety, as well as their future plans for expansion across the country in the coming days.
Please start by briefing us a little about Elanpro, its business and the solutions that it offers for the F&B Industry, particularly in the Food Service and F&B Retail categories.
Elanpro is a commercial refrigeration company dedicated to offering ergonomically safe and environmentally friendly products. We strive to provide technologically advanced solutions that help our customers optimize their systems—whether by improving energy efficiency, reducing their environmental footprint, or achieving new performance levels. Our array of solutions is widely used in hotels, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, ice cream parlours and F&B retail establishments.
Since our inception in 2009, we have uninterruptedly introduced innovative, State-of-the-Art refrigeration technology for the Foodservice Industry. With a network of nearly 700 channel partners and an extensive infrastructure, we excel in selling and servicing our diverse product range. We offer end-to-end, customizable refrigeration solutions tailored to meet our clients’ specific needs.
As a pioneering force in the industry, we continue to maintain a dominant market share. We are the leaders in bar refrigeration holding almost 65% of the overall draft market and a very wide presence across all bar outlets across India. Apart from that, 50% of our business comes from the food and beverage retail industry, including supermarkets and hypermarkets. Hotels and quick-service restaurant (QSR) segments constitutes approximately 35% of our sales.
Would you please share more details about your recent innovations or value additions brought in by your company in your recent solutions that have been launched at AAHAR for the Foodservice Industry and what’s been the major focus this time?
We aspire to be seen as a responsible trailblazer, consistently evolving and presenting cutting-edge, environmentally friendly technology. That’s why we rolled out our new green range comprising of sustainable solutions at AAHAR 2024 to empower Indian Foodservice Industry.
We introduced India’s first Reach-in Freezer with a breakthrough Inverter Technology Compressor, designed to promote environmental sustainability and improve economic efficiency. Unlike traditional compressors that operate at a fixed speed, our Reach-ins with inverter technology adjusts the compressor’s speed according to cooling demands. This innovation is expected to save almost 30% of electricity bills. In fact, the dynamic adjustment not only ensures precise temperature control but also significantly reduces energy consumption. By eliminating the constant on-off cycles typical of conventional compressors, we’re able to minimize wear and tear, thereby extending the lifespan of our appliances. I anticipate these freezers will establish a new benchmark for industry-leading performance and efficiency.
Additionally, aiming to boost kitchen efficiency, we launched two products specifically crafted for the demands of a professional culinary setting. The first offering is our all new range of Blast Freezers featuring State-of-the-Art ‘menu-driven preservation technology’ which is a new age product, designed to empower chefs. It is equipped with unique USB menu saving feature which allows a chef to pre-set freezing temperatures for a variety of ingredients across a wide range of recipes.
The second offering is the new series of ELANPRO Undercounter Refrigerator. It is equipped with ingenious ‘pass-through double door’ feature that grants swift access of food items from both sides. This pioneering feature allows chefs and staff to operate seamlessly from every section, enhancing efficiency and streamlining kitchen operations with unparalleled ease. As the Foodservice Industry embraces technological advancements, I expect these products to become an essential tool, transforming commercial kitchens.
We also announced the adoption of green refrigerant R290 in all our new and existing products as we want to help food and beverage businesses reduce their carbon footprint.
We hope to cultivate a new wave of sustainable products and services that can modernize and monetize food and beverage businesses.
Please share with us about some of your best-selling solutions in the market. Further, can you also let us know why they are preferred by your customers?
I’d be happy to highlight some of our top-performing products and why they are so well-regarded by our customers. Glass Top is our best-selling Deep Freezer which is favoured for its unmatched performance and seamless aesthetics. Our BEE rated Chest Freezers are known for energy efficiency while maintaining food quality and safety. These Chest Freezers can maintain a temperature of up to -30 degree Celsius. Apart from that, customers appreciate Elanpro Visi Coolers, mainly owing to the advanced temperature control and futuristic design.
How has the company performed this year as compared to last year? Further, please tell us the major factors that were responsible for driving revenue growth this year.
We as a group clocked a turnover of INR 241 crores this year. This is against INR 220 crores in the previous fiscal year. The strategy we implemented in fiscal ’24, encompassing innovative product launches, enhanced customer engagement and streamlined operations significantly boosted purchase intent.
Please tell us about Elanpro’s role in ensuring the safety of food and beverage products. Further, can you also share more details on the Single Temperature Double Cabinet that you’ve introduced for food retail industry, including the features and benefits they offer for the retailers, particularly in the food and grocery segment?
Elanpro plays a pivotal role in ensuring the safety of food and beverage products through our advanced commercial refrigeration solutions. By providing State-of-the-Art refrigeration technology, we ensure that food items are stored at optimal temperatures, preventing spoilage and contamination. Our products, designed with rigorous safety standards in mind, feature precise temperature control, robust insulation and reliable performance to maintain the highest quality and safety of food and beverages from storage to service. One such product is ELANPRO Single Temperature Double Cabinet.
We launched this innovative refrigeration solution for the fast-paced food, beverage and dairy market. Studies show people respond best to having various options and our dual cabinet design facilitates the storage of multiple SKUs in separate compartments. However, often it is seen that outlets mix temperature-sensitive dairy products with other beverages, but dairy requires precise temperature management at 4°C. Introducing ambient temperature items like water (35°C) in the same cabinet can negatively affect the structure, smell and taste of dairy products. The key rule is to store dairy items separately from beverages like water and cold drinks. And here is where our product’s refrigerated cabinet maintains the quality, while sustaining the safety of the food, beverage and dairy products. While using it as a freezer, one can store Ice Cream and frozen food separately or keeping with the Indian sentiments Veg and Non Veg frozen food can be kept in two different compartments.
Can you tell us more about your team as well as the after sales service support that you have to offer for your clients in the market?
Our team is the backbone of our success. We have a network of 45+ sales and 25+ service staff comprising of dedicated professionals with deep expertize in refrigeration technology and trends.
We ensure top-notch support for our clients. From initial consultation to installation and ongoing maintenance, our team is committed to providing comprehensive after-sales service. We recently introduced a new service scheme that focuses on priority service, instant call registration and closure, prompt response to service requests and troubleshooting assistance to minimize downtime and optimize equipment performance. Our goal is to build long-term partnerships with our clients by delivering reliable products and exceptional service that meet their unique business needs.
Please share a bit on Elanpro’s efforts in investing in advanced technology for its F&B equipment and how has it been helping businesses improve their productivity and save on vital production costs along with an example.
Our unwavering commitment to tackling crucial domestic challenges and our focus on delivering holistic solutions have driven us to invest in cutting-edge technology for our F&B equipment. This investment has significantly enhanced business productivity and enabled substantial savings on essential production costs.
We wanted to address the critical issues of food waste. We took a significant step in that direction by acquiring Thingif(y), an AI-enabled temperature monitoring system. Thingif(y) empowers users to monitor and control temperature, pressure, humidity and volume in their environments, helping combat waste effectively. We are currently working on it and hoping for public release by 2025.
Moreover, we expanded our portfolio with the acquisition of I Cold, a proficient cold storage solution. With I cold, we are tailoring our offering to meet the cold storage requirement. We began by understanding the exact storage needs and operational challenges faced by food and beverage businesses. We offer a range of customizable options, including different storage capacities and temperature zones. We work closely with our clients from consultation to installation, providing ongoing support and maintenance to ensure seamless operation and maximum satisfaction.
These recent acquisitions, combined with our existing product range have positioned Elanpro as a comprehensive solutions provider.
What’s Elanpro got to offer for the Dairy Industry this time and how is it expected to benefit dairy businesses in running their operations smoothly and efficiently?
Recognizing the dynamic and diverse demands of the market, we have embarked on an ambitious development programme aimed at introducing a suite of innovative new products for Dairy Industry.
We intend to leverage the latest technologies and market insights to design solutions that will elevate the standard of cooling for this industry. I can assure you that these products will incorporate cutting-edge features and enhancements tailored to meet the evolving requirements of dairy businesses.
How has the market been responding to your products of late? Can you also let us know some of the common expectations that you’ve been hearing from your clients in the market of late and how have you been working to fulfill the same?
The market response to our products has been overwhelmingly positive. Customers have been particularly impressed with the quality, reliability and efficiency of our offerings. We’ve seen a significant increase in demand, indicating that our solutions are meeting and exceeding the expectations of businesses in various sectors.
Our clients have been vocal about their need for more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly products. They are increasingly looking for solutions that not only perform exceptionally well, but also contribute to sustainability efforts. Additionally, aesthetics have also become increasingly important. Clients want products that not only function well, but also enhance the visual appeal of their establishments.
To meet this demand, we have incorporated sleek, modern designs into our product lines. From stylish finishes to elegant lighting solutions, our products are designed to complement and elevate the look of any commercial space.
According to you, please tell us what are some of the latest trends that have been shaping the Foodservice Industry?
Food services sector in India is expected to reach INR 7.8 lakh crores by FY28. With a consistently growing middle class and increasing disposable income, the industry is witnessing a healthy growth.
A wave of innovative trends has energized the entire Foodservice Industry. Eco-consciences is shaping the trend. We are witnessing an increasing demand for eco-friendly products which can assure improved ROI and sustainability. The industry as a whole is concentrating on product development to reduce energy consumption and less GHG (greenhouse Gas) emission in the environment. These products not only cater to environmental concerns, but also often provide long-term cost savings through reduced energy consumption, maintenance costs and enhanced operational efficiency.
Apart from that, in an industry, where health and safety are of utmost importance, operators are increasingly looking for easy to maintain, user friendly products.
Unique concepts and equipment are also transforming the commercial refrigeration industry. Remote monitoring is a concept expected to increasingly dominate the industry, offering enhanced operational oversight and efficiency through remote access and real-time data analytics.
How is Elanpro planning to stay ahead of its competitors in the market? What are your strategies for growing your presence in more markets across the country?
Over the past decade and a half, Elanpro has earned its reputation as one of the most influential standards. We have been committed to progressive and dynamic offerings. Our USP is performance-pumping refrigeration equipment. Our products are equipped with revolutionary features and compact designs ensuring optimal utilization of critical space in any Bar, Kitchen or Supermarket.
In today’s time, it is imperative to continuously anticipate and address the changing trends. That’s why we work closely with our customers to eliminate the installation problems and space issues ensuring peak performance.
To capitalize on the opportunity of tapping metros and non-metros, we have State-of-the-Art Elanpro Experience Centers. These are ultra-modern showrooms integrated with after-sales service facility, showcasing the innovative, hi-tech product portfolio of Elanpro. Our valued customers can understand the machine and make an informed decision before making investment.
Currently, in how many markets are you present outside India? Any plans to target more markets in the coming days?
Currently, we are exporting to Nepal, Bhutan, Dubai, Congo, Zimbabwe and Singapore. We are planning to expand our geographical outreach to another 5 more countries in the next five years.
2 Comments
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