Interview with Jatin Narang Managing Director, Krishna Overseas Inc -

Jatin Narang Managing Director, Krishna Overseas Inc

The manufacturing industry is undergoing a significant digital revolution, driven by the adoption of cutting-edge technologies to enhance efficiency, speed, quality and decarbonisation. As companies strive to meet evolving consumer demands in a competitive environment, several key digitalisation trends are emerging in the sector. Automation and technologies such as, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) algorithms, predictive analytics, and enterprise resource planning (ERP) are streamlining operations, improving decision-making, and helping companies meet their sustainability commitments and maintain high product standards. For instance, by incorporating ERP systems across various functions, from procurement to sales, companies gain real-time visibility into their operations, allowing for more informed decision-making and better coordination between departments. However, despite the promising potential of these technologies, organisations face several challenges in their digital transformation journey. Cybersecurity remains a significant concern, along with high initial investment costs and training of employees to integrate these technologies in the most efficient manner. Top managers from companies in the food manufacturing sector talk about their digital initiatives, the key barriers to technology adoption (particularly for small and medium enterprises), and their road maps for digital transformation, going forward…

What are the key technology trends shaping the manufacturing sector?

Several pivotal technology trends are reshaping the manufacturing industry. These advancements have enabled us to ensure quality, eﬃciency and customer satisfaction, particularly within the food manufacturing and export sectors. Major trends that we are following include:

Upskilling the workforce in digital competencies through regular training on ERP systems, internet of things (IoT), AI and data analytics.
Investing in sustainable manufacturing technologies through energy-eﬃcient machinery and exploring renewable energy sources in production.
End-to-end process automation and specialised software solutions to streamline operations across the product life cycle, from purchase to sales and after-sales service.

What are the key information and communication technology (ICT) technologies and solutions being used by your organisation?

We leverage a range of ICT technologies and solutions to streamline our operations, ensure product quality and enhance customer engagement. These include using integrated ERP software for end-to-end operations to manage value chains right from purchasing raw materials to production, sales and after-sales support. In addition to seamless inventory management, this system allows us to efficiently monitor and coordinate across departments, ensuring seamless operations, real-time data access and a high level of accuracy.

We also prioritise the highest standards of hygiene and safety for our food products in our quality assurance labs, using up-to-date technology to monitor and maintain strict safety protocols. This includes equipment to test and verify product purity, freshness and compliance with international standards.

To engage with our customers, promote new products and expand our reach, we actively use digital platforms. Through targeted digital marketing, social media and e-commerce, we can communicate our offerings to both existing and potential clients. This digital approach allows us to understand our customers better, personalise interactions and ensure that our products are accessible globally. Towards this end, dedicated CRM systems enable us to track customer preferences, manage orders and provide personalised services. By analysing customer data, we ensure that we meet specific market needs and engage with clients in ways that build long-term relationships and trust.

In a nutshell, through these ICT solutions, we ensure operational efficiency, product safety and customer satisfaction, all of which reinforce our mission to deliver quality Indian food products worldwide.

What are the key issues in implementing digital solutions?

While implementing digital solutions has greatly enhanced our efficiency and customer engagement, we face some key challenges in this transition:

Data security and privacy concerns: As we handle sensitive data, from customer information to proprietary processes, ensuring data security is critical. Implementing advanced cybersecurity measures requires significant investments and continuous monitoring to protect against cyber threats. Balancing effective digitalisation with robust data privacy protocols is a priority to maintain customer trust and safeguard our business.
Training and skill development for staff: For our digital solutions to be effective, our staff needs to be proficient in using these new technologies. This requires ongoing training and upskilling, which can be time-consuming, and requires additional resources. Bridging the digital skills gap while maintaining productivity is essential for successful digital transformation.
Managing initial costs and RoI: Implementing digital solutions, especially in a mid-sized enterprise, involves upfront costs in software, hardware and training. Finding cost-effective solutions without compromising quality can be challenging, especially in competitive industries such as manufacturing and export.
Resistance to change as per dynamic environment: The process of transitioning from traditional methods to digital systems sometimes encounters resistance from staff who are accustomed to existing processes.
Maintaining product quality with digital innovation: Introducing new digital solutions in production and quality control demands that we maintain, and even enhance, the strict standards we are known for. Aligning digital tools with our quality assurance processes can be a complex task that requires rigorous testing and adjustments.

What is your organisation’s road map for digital transformation?

Our digital transformation road map is designed to strengthen our operational efficiency, enhance product quality and improve customer engagement. Our phased approach ensures that we integrate advanced digital solutions effectively while maintaining our commitment to quality and service.

Our initial focus has been on implementing an ERP system to streamline end-to-end processes. By centralising data and automating workﬂows, we are able to enhance accuracy and responsiveness across departments, enabling faster decision-making and better resource management. In the second phase, we are enhancing our quality control processes by implementing advanced lab technologies to monitor product hygiene and safety. Our third phase focuses on expanding our digital presence through targeted marketing and e-commerce channels to better understand our customers’ needs and engage with them in a personalised manner, using data analytics. At the same time, for our digital transformation to be sustainable, we recognise the need for employee training.

In the ﬁnal phase, our goal is to leverage advanced analytics and ML to further optimise operations and improve decision-making. By analysing data from across our systems, we plan to implement predictive maintenance in our facilities, optimise inventory and further customise our customer interactions.

By taking a phased approach, we ensure that each new digital initiative aligns with our goals of operational eﬃciency, customer satisfaction and product excellence. We aim to establish Krishna Overseas as a digitally forward, customer-centric company that leads in both quality and innovation in the Indian food manufacturing and export industry.

“Our digital approach allows us to understand our customers better, personalise interactions and ensure that our products are accessible globally.” Jatin Narang