In an era where sunrise industries command more attention, it is a tough job for a brick-and-mortar company to remain venerable year after year. Ever Bake Systems Pvt Ltd is admired by bakers because its ovens have been up and running at their kitchens for several decades. The Delhi based company is one of the most conspicuous machinery makers in the bakery industry as one can see its products in bakeries at every nook and corner of India.
Even as bakeries today are increasingly opting for imported equipment because of its high technological level, Ever Bake Systems stays atop the chart of preferred machinery makers thanks to its “unsurpassable quality and performance” as the company puts it.
Nagesh Nagpal, the second-generation entrepreneur who steers the company, says, “Our focus is Europe. We are trying to excel them. We go to international exhibitions like IBA where we get to know the latest equipment very closely.” He observes that today the difference between Europe and India is much lesser than what existed before. And no one knows this better than Nagpal who has been in bakery equipment manufacturing for more than three decades, and has a great legacy.
His father, late Banwari Lal Nagpal, founded one of the oldest oven manufacturing companies in the newly independent India in 1949. In 1975, Nagesh joined him in the business. In 2001, his brain child Ever Bake Systems took birth while the first-born company is looked after by his brother.
Bakers go for Ever Bake Systems’ products because of their value for price, low maintenance and efficient machineries. Nagpal says that his products are slightly costlier than those of his competitors. That is due to the high quality of the machineries produced in his factory located in the outskirts of Uttar Pradesh. “For the first time it is a little difficult to convince customers why our products are costlier. But once they buy it, they understand the value for money. We get repeat orders from our customers,” says Nagpal.
The company also exports its machinery to various countries. “Our target is the globe, and not just India,” quips Shahil Nagpal, the third generation entrepreneur in the family who holds a global perspective. “We cut down our range of products. We are now focussing on a few chosen products and increase their quality. We have increased our production too,” he adds. Its flagship products include rotary rack oven, planetary mixer, spiral mixer and proving chamber.
The company has standardised its products. “We go for very little customisation,” says the senior Nagpal. Fuel efficiency is another area Ever Bake Systems has laid much thrust on. “We design our machineries with fuel-efficiency in mind. Fuel efficiency and features are our USP. We have added many Indian features to our products,” says Nagpal.
The company has three distributors in Srinagar, Nepal, and Kerala, and is planning to expand its marketing network and strengthen after-sales service. “Service back-up is critical for the success of equipment business,” says Nagpal, adding that in the next few years the bakery industry will see tremendous growth.
But any industry having good prospects is not without its troubles. Taxation remains one of the biggest problems faced by the industry. “There are serious issues relating to ModVat and excise duty. Ambiguity in classification of equipment is another area of concern. They confounded ovens for home use with ovens required by bakeries. The industry needs to take up such issues with the authorities and find solutions,” says Nagpal.
Because labour is cheap in India, many bakeries do not buy equipment of which function can be undertaken by human beings. “The demand for dough sheeter, for example, is less because labour is cheap in our country,” says Nagpal. Kerala remains an important market for Ever Bake Systems. Its mixers, slicers and ovens sell like hot cake in the southern state. With the industry poised for big strides, companies grounded deeply in tradition such as Ever Bake Systems will have an edge. And Nagpal is determined to cash in on that.
