Interview from Mr. Shrikrishna Ozarkar, Business Unit Head, Prepared Foods and Fruits and Vegetables Segments
Neologic Engineers was established in the year 2007 with a vision to provide the latest Process Solutions and Automation to the Food, Dairy, Fruits & Vegetables, Beverages, C osmetics, and Allied industries.
Fresh n Frozen: When was Neologic Engineers started, and what was the spark or moment that triggered the birth of this brand?
Shrikrishna Ozarkar: Neologic Engineers was started in 2007 and it was the brainchild of a shared vision to create something meaningful within the field we had been passionately working in for years. While working with a leading multinational, we recognised a growing need in the Indian dairy industry. The sector was on the brink of transformation, with automation beginning to play a pivotal role.
With deep expertise in process engineering and a strong understanding of this evolving landscape, Mr. Ravindra Mahajan and Mr. Rajendra Gore decided to channel their experience into building a company that could lead this change. That idea took shape in 2007, and Neologic Engineers was founded with a clear purpose: to offer innovative, automation-driven processing solutions tailored to the unique needs of the food processing industry.
FNF: What was the very first machinery project you delivered? How did it shape your journey ahead?
SKO: Our journey began in 2007 with the successful delivery of a Clean-In-Place (CIP) system for S R Thorat Dairy. This project was a significant milestone—not just because it was our first, but because it validated our technical capabilities and our belief in creating meaningful change within the industry. The positive outcome of that installation gave us the confidence to push forward and expand our horizons. We also received our very first export order in the initial stages. This was possible through the industrial network and knowledge we held. We successfully completed the project within a stipulated timeline. We guided our client and helped them understand that they could easily process with just 3 systems and not 4. This suggestion saved them cash resources and helped us gain experience in handling export/international project installation and commissioning with limited resources. Over the years, this foundation allowed us to diversify into new industry segments, broaden our service offerings, and continue building on the trust we had earned right from our very first project.
FNF: Many of your systems are fully automated. How do you balance advanced technology with ease of use for everyday plant operators?
SKO: It is our practice to not forcefully push a fully automated system to any of our clients. We first thoroughly understand their pain point areas, needs/requirements related to hygiene, and their ability to invest. Based on these three major criteria, we sit with them through their processing journey and then if important, suggest opting for automated solutions. With the changing mindset, every processor nowadays is seeking to adopt automated solutions for their plant. This reduces the dependency on the operator and helps create trust in the delivery of high-quality finished products batch after batch.
FNF: In terms of innovation, which machine are you most proud of—and why?
SKO: Innovation mindset is an everyday activity. It must be reflected in every activity. For us the best innovation to date has been the invention of the Aseptic Storage Tank System. Aseptic Storage Tank system was engineered and built first on Parle’s demand. This Aseptic system was built in just three months—from scratch—with complex automation and process solutions. We ensured that our invention met the ASME standards for pressure vessels. Though our Aseptic Tanks were successfully installed and commissioned, they remained untouched for quite a while. Later, when brought into use, it performed beyond our expectations. This resulted in consistent orders for us. Today, we have successfully commissioned over 20 projects with our Aseptic Storage System both nationally and internationally. We take pride in stating that our Aseptic Storage system is functioning flawlessly in giants like Parle, PepsiCo, Danone, and many others.
FNF: With hygiene and food safety being critical, how do you design machines to meet global standards without compromising performance?
SKO: Food safety is non-negotiable. We manufacture CE Approved, follow FSSAI, EHEDG, & 3A Guidelines for equipment manufacturing. We are ISO 9001 certified for Quality Management System, ISO 45001 certified for Occupational Health and Safety, and ISO 14001 certified for Environmental Management System. Hygiene is built into the DNA of our equipment. We don’t stop at compliance—we test and validate every system for cleanability and product integrity.
FNF: IQF Freezers, UHT systems, Spiral Conveyors—how do you decide which new solutions to add to your portfolio?
SKO : IQF Freezers, UHT systems, and Spiral Conveyors—we have added all these solutions based on the market demand and processing gaps. After an in-depth market study, we realised that there were no substitutes in the market for these systems, and the multinational giants were charging exorbitant prices to the processors. We also saw that the processor tends to delay their projects due to the huge investment demands. Looking at the situation, we realised that it was possible for us to deliver this system at a much more reasonable costusing Indian components.
FNF: Which one of your machines do you think every modern food factory must have—and why?
SKO: We would suggest a Clean-in-Place (CIP) System because it’s the backbone of hygiene assurance. The CIP system ensures consistent product quality, minimises downtime, and conserves water and chemicals. Our CIP module meets all the stringent hygienic benchmarks. The CIP module is not just a machine; it’s a long-term investment in safety, compliance, and operational efficiency.
FNF: Can you share one memorable project where the client’s problem was tough—but your solution turned things around?
SKO: There are numerous projects that have been memorable for us. But amongst all of those stands the Tasty Bite project. This project was a completely new playground for us Ready to Eat, Ready to Heat, and Ready to Serve products. Tasty Bite walked in with 20+ complex recipes to be cooked under a single cooking vessel. Further handling and blending the products, and further packing them as whole grains like Ready-to-Eat Rajma Masala, Dal Makhani, etc. It was a big challenge to understand the product recipes and their processing patterns and to maintain the product consistency and taste. Our team of experts could successfully decode their issues and deliver solutions that outshined the imported systems purchased by them.
FNF: With Industry 4.0 and smart manufacturing becoming the norm, where do you see Neologic Engineers five years from now?
SKO: We’re already moving in that direction. Our focus is on integrating IoT-driven analytics, predictive maintenance, and cloud-based monitoring into our systems. Five years from now, we see Neologic Engineers playing a pivotal role in shaping the smart factories of the future. Herein equipment doesn’t just process but learns, adapts, and optimises itself in real-time. We aim to make the Indian food processing industry not just competitive but globally benchmarked.
FNF: Finally, what’s your dream project—something Neologic Engineers hasn’t done yet but would love to?
SKO: Every project executed by Neologic Engineers is equally important and auspicious. Every client that walks in comes with a dream, and we become a part of their dream, their journey. We sit them through their process, understand their requirements, live their dream with them, and help them build their dream plant.
FNF: How does your company integrate sustainability into its supply chain practices, and what steps are taken to ensure that suppliers meet environmental and social responsibility standards?
SKO: Neologic Engineers is an ISO certified company. And being an ISO certified company, we are environmentally conscious. Every system that we design complies with all the latest energy efficiency criteria—whether it is an electrical motor or a heat exchanger. Additionally, we understand that clean water is a costly and scarce resource which needs to be used judiciously. We educate our customers at the time of commissioning that the clean water utilized by our processing lines is minimum.
FNF : In what ways does your company support local communities through CSR initiatives, and how do you measure the impact of these initiatives?
SKO: We support Purva Seema Vikas Pratishthan (PSVP)—an NGO focused on educating tribal children in Northeast India. Inspired by the work of Bhayyaji Kane, who laid the foundation for PSVP in 1971, we contributed to building a classroom in Manipur to expand access to education. We measure impact through tangible outcomes like improved infrastructure and increased student enrolment, but more importantly, by the long-term empowerment of these communities. Apart from this, during Covid time, we helped the foundation—Apla Ghar. Apla Ghar is an NGO managed by the LATE VAIBHAV PHALNIKAR MEMORIAL FOUNDATION, established in 2001 by Shri Vijay Phalnikar and Mrs. Sadhana Phalnikar in memory of their only son, Vaibhav, who died of cancer. They started in a small way by providing free ambulance service for the benefit of economically backward sections of society. We helped this NGO in building ICUs for the people deprived of medical benefits. We also donated 5 beds to the hospital to help them help others. Supporting such initiatives reflects our commitment to meaningful and lasting change.
FNF: Can you explain how your company engages employees in CSR efforts and fosters a culture of corporate responsibility within the workplace?
SKO: We believe that corporate responsibility begins from within. We actively involve our employees in a variety of CSR initiatives that promote community well-being, environmental sustainability, and personal wellness. Programs such as tree plantation drives, yoga and wellness sessions, road safety awareness campaigns, and environmental education activities are regularly conducted with active employee participation. These initiatives not only contribute to the larger good but also help foster a sense of purpose, unity, and responsibility among our team members. By integrating these values into our everyday work culture, we aim to build a more conscious and committed workforce.