The transaction was envisaged as an amalgamation of Mandala’s business transformation strategy & focus on the cold chain sector along with Gati’s ongoing strategy of exiting non-core businesses.
Uday Garg, Managing Partner at Mandala Capital, said “Gati Kausar is an established, 35-year-old brand with a trusted name in the cold chain industry. We believe that under our complete ownership, the Company will be able to fully leverage our technical expertise and financial resources to realise its potential over the next few years. ”
Reports show that the Indian cold chain industry had a c.18% CAGR over the last 5 years and has the potential for increased and continued growth with 80-85% of the industry still controlled by unorganised players. The pandemic has further accelerated growth rates with the sector playing an increasingly vital role in the broader food value chain, starting from local procurement to last mile delivery. Demand from producers, processors, QSRs and retailers for efficient, cost-effective, and reliable supply chains remains high; likewise, the end consumer increasingly expects products to be delivered in a timely and safe manner.
“Increasing customer expectations can only be met through technology-enabled solutions and automation in the cold supply chain. We are working closely with various consultants and our sector specialists to bring best-in-class technologies to Gati Kausar that will increase efficiency and provide innovative solutions to customers,” added Garg.
Rakesh Pachauri, recently appointed COO at Gati Kausar, said “For us, customer satisfaction is of utmost priority and we are excited at the prospect of delivering more value to our customers in this new phase under Mandala Capital’s ownership. We are looking to invest in new vehicles, warehouses, and technology to enhance the customer experience and provide enhanced service levels. We also aim to expand the Gati Kausar family in various areas. With the support of our customers, employees, and shareholders, we believe Gati Kausar can create significant value for all stakeholders.”
CJ Shaju, CFO at Gati Kausar, said “The company has been generating operating profits for the past 3 years despite a difficult market environment and restrained capital resources. With access to a larger capital base post-Mandala’s takeover, we expect more growth and increasing profitability in the years ahead.”