Dr.P. Upender Rao: Vesting Years of Experience to Bridge the Gaps in Cold Storage Industry
Dr. P. Upender Rao
Founder - MD
"Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree long time ago-Warren Buffett"
Aspiring to do big in his life, he left his first and invested major part of his time in researching about warehouse industry and the factors related to the functioning of this sector. Being a Doctorate holder in the Polymer Science, Dr. P. Upender’s ideas and vision is always to save the planet with efficient methods. His goal is to see Cold Care evolve into the biggest names in the cold chain industry in India.
Recently, Dr. P. Upender engaged in a one-on-one interaction with CEO Insights. Here ’s the highlights from the interview.
Give us a brief about your professional journey so far? What inspired you to establish Cold Care Services?
Starting my professional journey in the year 1993 Joined Asian Paints and in charge for resin production I worked for five years in the Company. Having gained relevant skills and expertise, in the year 1999-2000, I laid the foundation of Cold Care Services(P) Ltd. which is into EPC (Engineering,Procurement and Construction) of the cold storages. Coming from a very humble background, since childhood, I always dreamt of doing something big so, I left my job, my ambition to achieve something which led me to Hyderabad and I eventually, started my company.
After years of immense research in the cold storage sector in South India, I found that the industry needs significant changes concerning infrastructure and the availability of storage for farmers. Amid all the challenges, my family has always been a constant support and a motivating factor to me. During the inception, I started this company to
stay closer to my family but for now, Cold Care as a family has three hundred members who are toiling day and night for growth and success of the company.
Tell us more about Cold Care Services as an organization. What are the services that your organization provides to its customers.
Before the establishment of Cold Care Services, most of the cold warehouses were owned by well-off traders who traded in tamarind and turmeric used to store their yield. Cold Care was the first company in India that built storage with steel-supporting racking and EPS panels. Being a geographically segmented industry, Cold Care Services offers premium quality end-to-end solutions at medium prices.
Being positioned as highquality, medium price, the main USP of Cold Care Services is that we operate on concept-to-keys objective. We take up the entire project as a turnkey basis, and then work on the design and commissioning of the project. We understand the needs of the clients and customize the design which is beyond comparison with other companies. We offer the highest standard quality of the cold storage construction within a cost-effective method, while we take care of Erection procuring and commissioning.
To add to our accomplishments, Cold Care Services has completed a project in the year of 2002 in less than 90 days, 89 days to be precise, this happens to be a record in the food industry.
Why did you choose Hyderabad as the breeding ground for your company? How has been this place proving favorable to you?
Being my hometown, Hyderabad holds special significance for business too, as this city has metropolitan connectivity along with the commodity market which is one of the strongest reasons for me to make this city my breeding ground.
Most of the multi-commodity storage are trying to grow in metropolitan cities so, the Cold Care Services grasped the opportunity and started its own vertical of cold storage in the year 2006 by the name Cold Care Agritech and Cold Care Warehousing. Presently we are partnered with major FMCG brands like Unilever, Subway, Swiggy, Mother Dairy and many more.
We are also trying to expand our operations Pan-India. Apart from construction, Cold Care’s other verticals include logistics, manufacturing of reefer containers and others are expanding Pan India, and the changes in the perception
The only time success comes before work is in the dictionary if you are passionate about your work and if you are passionate about what you do, success comes to you
Tell us more about Cold Care Services as an organization. What are the services that your organization provides to its customers.
Before the establishment of Cold Care Services, most of the cold warehouses were owned by well-off traders who traded in tamarind and turmeric used to store their yield. Cold Care was the first company in India that built storage with steel-supporting racking and EPS panels. Being a geographically segmented industry, Cold Care Services offers premium quality end-to-end solutions at medium prices.
Being positioned as highquality, medium price, the main USP of Cold Care Services is that we operate on concept-to-keys objective. We take up the entire project as a turnkey basis, and then work on the design and commissioning of the project. We understand the needs of the clients and customize the design which is beyond comparison with other companies. We offer the highest standard quality of the cold storage construction within a cost-effective method, while we take care of Erection procuring and commissioning.
To add to our accomplishments, Cold Care Services has completed a project in the year of 2002 in less than 90 days, 89 days to be precise, this happens to be a record in the food industry.
Why did you choose Hyderabad as the breeding ground for your company? How has been this place proving favorable to you?
Being my hometown, Hyderabad holds special significance for business too, as this city has metropolitan connectivity along with the commodity market which is one of the strongest reasons for me to make this city my breeding ground.
Most of the multi-commodity storage are trying to grow in metropolitan cities so, the Cold Care Services grasped the opportunity and started its own vertical of cold storage in the year 2006 by the name Cold Care Agritech and Cold Care Warehousing. Presently we are partnered with major FMCG brands like Unilever, Subway, Swiggy, Mother Dairy and many more.
We are also trying to expand our operations Pan-India. Apart from construction, Cold Care’s other verticals include logistics, manufacturing of reefer containers and others are expanding Pan India, and the changes in the perception
about the cold storages to the end consumer have been a positive impact towards the growth of the industry not only in terms of construction but the entire coldchain segment across India.
What is your mantra for balancing personal and professional life? What are opportunities do you foresee in the market?
There is a saying, ‘A man who doesn’t spend time with his family can never be a real man’. After spending a hectic day at work, meeting my family is what I always look forward to. They always make me forget all the work related issues. For mental happiness, I strongly believe that it is important to prioritize both, professional end as well the personal lives.
About my success mantra, it is very simple, ‘the only time success comes before work is in the dictionary’. I have always been passionate about my work, and if you’re passionate about what you do, success comes to you.
What advice you would like to give to our budding entrepreneurs who are aspiring to lead this industry?
Being a highly capital intensive industry, the cold chain industry is also considered to be highly volatile in nature. To all the budding entrepreneurs I would say that market research should be your top priority while starting a company in the cold chain industry. The geographical location also one of the major aspects that should be investigated carefully. Easier the connectivity, the easier it would be to survive in the industry.
Awards and Recognition
Cold Care has been awarded as a Top 10 consultant in cold storage construction by Business Outlook and featured in a cover story. Cold Care has been awarded as the best cold chain brand in the year 2018 and 2019 by the Brand Leadership Award.
Cold Care Services has been a CII member for the southern region.
Cold Care Services is a member of PMA (Producer marketing Association) USA since 2015
Cold care is awarded best cold chin company from south India in the year 2012 by ICE
Dr. P. Upender Rao, Founder - MD, Cold Care Services
An adamant businessman who introduced revolutionary cold storage warehouses, making it one of a kind in South India. As a Founder and MD of Cold Care Services Dr. P.Upender is playing a pivotal role in the development of the firm.
Hobbies:Playing Cricket and Reading Books
Favorite Cuisine:Indian
Favorite Book:The Goal by Eliyahu M.Goldratt
Favorite Travel Destination: Thailand
What is your mantra for balancing personal and professional life? What are opportunities do you foresee in the market?
There is a saying, ‘A man who doesn’t spend time with his family can never be a real man’. After spending a hectic day at work, meeting my family is what I always look forward to. They always make me forget all the work related issues. For mental happiness, I strongly believe that it is important to prioritize both, professional end as well the personal lives.
About my success mantra, it is very simple, ‘the only time success comes before work is in the dictionary’. I have always been passionate about my work, and if you’re passionate about what you do, success comes to you.
What advice you would like to give to our budding entrepreneurs who are aspiring to lead this industry?
Being a highly capital intensive industry, the cold chain industry is also considered to be highly volatile in nature. To all the budding entrepreneurs I would say that market research should be your top priority while starting a company in the cold chain industry. The geographical location also one of the major aspects that should be investigated carefully. Easier the connectivity, the easier it would be to survive in the industry.
Awards and Recognition
Cold Care has been awarded as a Top 10 consultant in cold storage construction by Business Outlook and featured in a cover story. Cold Care has been awarded as the best cold chain brand in the year 2018 and 2019 by the Brand Leadership Award.
Cold Care Services has been a CII member for the southern region.
Cold Care Services is a member of PMA (Producer marketing Association) USA since 2015
Cold care is awarded best cold chin company from south India in the year 2012 by ICE
Dr. P. Upender Rao, Founder - MD, Cold Care Services
An adamant businessman who introduced revolutionary cold storage warehouses, making it one of a kind in South India. As a Founder and MD of Cold Care Services Dr. P.Upender is playing a pivotal role in the development of the firm.
Hobbies:Playing Cricket and Reading Books
Favorite Cuisine:Indian
Favorite Book:The Goal by Eliyahu M.Goldratt
Favorite Travel Destination: Thailand