It was very clear to me that you cannot think of building a topline without bottom-line. Unlike the Businesses of today in our sector, I come from a different school of thought. If you are making revenue, its better to be profitable.
A partnership built on mutual respect
Santosh and Maulik initially met when Santosh has taken warehouse of Maulik on rent while he was working with National Bulk Handling Corporation in 2014. What began as a professional collaboration soon blossomed into a strong bond built on mutual respect and complementary skills. Over long conversations, they realised both share a common vision for wealth creation and business in 2018
when Santosh left his job and joined Maulik to found Gogreen warehouses Pvt Limited by merging two of the very small company of Maulik Bhai’s family i.e. Gogreen warehouse Pvt Limited and Fresh Cold chain Pvt limited as Gogreen Commerce and Services Pvt Limited and then later this renamed as Gogreen Warehouses Pvt limited in the year 2020 to start the Warehouse Services and Collateral Management Services to the farmers and other Agri value chain patners in India
I am very aggressive when it comes to a business idea,” says Santosh, explaining that he believes any business idea has the potential to scale. “But that is where Maulik’s experience comes in. He insists we run pilots, test all scenarios, and only look at scaling once that initial hypothesis is proven.”
Both acknowledge their age difference, but also highlight that it brings diverse perspectives to the table, enriching their decision-making process.
Building scalable and profitable businesses beyond the tech glitz
Unlike many tech-focused startups, Santosh and Maulik’s business philosophy revolves around identifying and scaling ventures with a high potential for profitability. Maulik leveraged his father’s experience as a trader, and they experimented with various businesses, starting with an Oil trading company, Kirana retailing, then real estate, and finally transit into Infrastructure. He swears by the mantra: “basic businesses done right,” by finding the right talent, and prioritising profitability
We are into Indian businesses and there is a huge market for them. Also, because the next 30 years are India’s growth years. Per capita income, GDP, consumerism everything is in the green,” says Santosh. However, he doesn’t rule out investing in next-generation technology-based businesses.
“Technology is an enabler, but strong business fundamentals are paramount,” reiterates Santosh. This pragmatic approach ensures they don’t get swept away by the latest hype cycles, but instead focus on building businesses with a solid foundation for long-term success.
Social responsibility as a core value Mahendra talks about a sense of purpose that extends beyond just business success. “Every business which we start, we actually first invest in the people. We talk about creating wealth for the stakeholders, it is not just the shareholders,” he says.
“We are not trying to create money, we are trying to create wealth. And wealth is always for society, and for its multiple stakeholders,” says Santosh.
At Go Green Warehouses, we provide comprehensive services, prioritize customer satisfaction, and focus on innovation and sustainability. Our team is our greatest asset, and we foster a culture of diversity and inclusion
My journey in the agricultural sector began with my education at OUAT and my early career at the Godrej Group. Over the years, I’ve gained extensive experience in various aspects of the agricultural value chain. Co-founding Go Green Warehouses with Maulik Bhai was a significant milestone in my career.
Together, we’ve led the company through remarkable growth, expanding our operations and building a strong team. Our focus on customer satisfaction, trust, and integrity has been instrumental in our success. I believe in empowering my team and fostering a collaborative work environment. We’ve built strong relationships with our customers and partners by upholding the 8Cs.
The warehousing industry is undergoing a rapid transformation, driven by factors such as e-commerce growth, supply chain disruptions, and changing consumer expectations.
Go Green Warehouses doesn’t rest on its laurels. Santosh Kumar divulges its ambitious plans for expansion and innovation. Our vision for Go Green Warehouses extends beyond India’s borders while staying committed to innovation. We’re actively exploring opportunities for vertical and horizontal integration within the supply chain, which will allow us to have greater control over the entire process. We’re confident in our ability to become a leading player in the warehousing and logistics industry by partnering with financial institutions and investing in value-added services.
Starting Go Green Warehouses wasn’t easy. We faced challenges with funding, building a team, and managing cash flow. However, we persevered and focused on innovation and sustainability. We’ve invested in technology and implemented efficient processes to reduce our carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future.
Mr. Sahu opines, “Be patient and look for alternatives to avoid the challenging things to grow.”
