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Allied Industry
Global ambitions
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R Kumar
MD
Continental Equipment
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With a presence in the industrial kitchen equipment industry
for the last 40 years, Continental Equipment now wants to become a supply
chain partner for leading foodservice organisations globally. R Kumar,
its MD, gives a lowdown on the company's international expansions
Operating on the philosophy that it is the people that make an organisation,
Continental Equipment considers its staff as its biggest strength. Today, it
employs more than 150 people with a strong emphasis on engineering skill. With
this team size and channel partners, it thrives on the idea of improved designs,
production facilities and customer service.
Being among the largest company supplying foodservice, bakery and beverage equipment
to hotels, bakeries, coffee chains and restaurants in India, the company is
constantly investing in R&D with more than 20 engineers actively involved
with research activities. Now, with its new plant in Gurgaon, it provides regular
training and development, both within India and internationally, to enable them
to be conversant with the latest manufacturing processes and technologies.
The game plan
R Kumar, managing director, Continental Equipment, says, "We have put in
a lot of efforts to bring the latest technical and marketing aspect to industrial
kitchen. We service a niche segment of kitchen equipment through our 17 offices
in Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore, working in an area where a lot of detailing
goes into technical specification, designing, product quality, and after sales
service." He informs that the company which operates through its facilities
in New Delhi on a total area of 32,000 square feet, has recently ventured into
cold room and refrigeration segment for industrial kitchen. For that, a new
factory has been opened in Gurgaon exclusively catering to the refrigeration
needs. What is interesting is that the manufacturing has been done with indigenous
products. The company has also set up operations in Thailand and has been involved
in providing solutions to organisations in the USA, Middle East, Europe and
Asia Pacific markets.
Kumar believes...
Kumar believes that though unorganised, India still has a lot of potential.
What is important, he adds, is that the hospitality industry should recognise
the importance of this sector and understand that Indian products stand at par
with foreign-built equipment.
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