An Interview with Gaurav Mittal, Director of Antarctica Equipment

Great Companies: How did you get your idea or concept for the business?

Gaurav Mittal:Antarctica Equipment was born out of necessity and vision. Back in 1989, importing display refrigeration equipment into India was not only expensive due to high duties but also time-consuming. During a trip to Italy, my father, Mr. Vinod Mittal, saw advanced food display cabinets and recognized a pressing need for locally manufactured, high-quality refrigeration solutions in India. This vision led to the foundation of our company—focused on innovation, customization, and reliability. Over 36 years, we’ve evolved into India’s No. 1 choice for temperature-controlled food display equipment, serving ice cream parlors, bakeries, cafes, and more.

Great Companies: What are the various services provided by Antarctica Equipment?

Gaurav Mittal: Our core mission is to extend the shelf life of perishable food items while preserving their quality and appeal. We provide a blend of world-class technology and local expertise to ensure every bite served is as fresh as it should be.

We are proud partners with globally renowned brands:

• Future Products Group (FPG), New Zealand – Known for premium temperature-controlled food and drink displays.

• Ifi S.p.A., Italy – The most awarded display brand globally, offering artistic and functional refrigeration for gelato, pastry, and food retail.

• VALMAR GLOBAL, Slovenia – A leader in artisan gelato production machinery, offering pasteurizers, batch freezers, and emulsifiers.

Under Antarctica Equipment, we offer:

• Custom-built temperature-controlled displays

• Innovative, high-end refrigeration units

• Tailored solutions for cafés, bakeries, and QSRsWith our service-first philosophy, we ensure every solution is reliable, attractive, and designed to meet the specific needs of Indian businesses.

Great Companies: What makes Antarctica Equipment different from hundreds of other similar service providers?

Gaurav Mittal: Three things make us stand out: superior service, technical excellence, and uncompromising quality.

We provide industry-best maintenance and service support to ensure our equipment performs optimally throughout its lifecycle. Whether for a boutique patisserie or a large-format supermarket, we customize refrigeration solutions with precision.

We also maintain strong ethical practices, timely deliveries, and consistent product innovation. Our team doesn't just deliver machines—we deliver peace of mind, ensuring maximum uptime and energy efficiency.

Ultimately, we don't just follow industry trends—we set them.

Great Companies: What were the struggles and challenges you faced and how did you overcome them?

Gaurav Mittal: Scaling our operations without compromising quality was our biggest challenge. Sourcing high-grade components was tough since many of them had to be imported. On top of that, creating products that met international standards—while staying cost-effective for Indian markets—was a tightrope walk.

To tackle this, we formed strategic alliances with global leaders like FPG, Ifi, and Valmar. This gave us access to the best technology and know-how. We invested heavily in a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, which allowed us to control quality and production speed simultaneously.

Another key focus was building a skilled, adaptable team capable of handling technological upgrades and changing customer demands. Innovation remains central to our approach—and it’s helped us stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry.

Great Companies: How do you plan to grow in the future? What does 5 years down the line look like for Antarctica Equipment?

Gaurav Mittal: Our vision is clear—grow the company tenfold in the next five years.

To achieve this, we will:

• Expand our product line with cutting-edge, user-friendly innovations

• Introduce India to even more international food-tech solutions

• Strengthen customer relationships with enhanced after-sales service

• Build strategic partnerships in new global markets

We’re also focusing on R&D and digital transformation to make our systems smarter and more sustainable. With relentless focus and adaptability, we aim to lead the Indian refrigeration sector into a new era.

Great Companies: If you had one piece of advice to someone just starting out, what would it be?

Gaurav Mittal: Dream it. Believe it. Create it.

Entrepreneurship begins with a dream—but belief is the fuel that turns vision into reality. Obstacles are inevitable, but what separates winners is persistence. Too many give up just before breakthrough.

My advice? Stay the course. Trust yourself. Be consistent. Give it your 100%, and success will follow. Keep innovating and keep moving forward—and your dream will shape into something impactful.

Website : https://antarcticaequipments.com/