“It is very important to maintain core competence and never forget the origins – always focus on one vision and build around that instead of attempting to dabble in several different avenues.”

Aniket Parikh

In our February 2024 issue, we are excited to present an insightful conversation with Mr. Aniket Parikh, a visionary leader and the driving force behind Stallen South Asia Private Limited.

With a distinguished academic background in Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology from Johns Hopkins University, USA, Mr. Parikh’s journey reflects a dynamic blend of strategic consulting for Fortune 500 companies in the United States and a dedicated commitment to the family business. Under his stewardship, Stallen has emerged as a global player in the veterinary industry, showcasing a diverse portfolio and a significant international footprint. Let’s delve into the insights and experiences that have shaped Mr. Aniket Parikh’s impactful role in the industry.

Poultry Creations: Could you briefly introduce yourself to our readers, sharing your professional background and key experiences that have led to your current role?

Aniket: I worked for Accenture Strategy, out of their Washington DC office as a management consultant to their Fortune 500 clients across the country. After a 2 year stint, with roles spanning several industries I returned to the family business fray, initially looking after the international markets and business development for Stallen. In 2017 I took over in the capacity of CEO at Stallen, looking after the entire domestic business as well as the international factories and sales. My global experience with different cultures, ability to speak several international languages coupled with my Indian work experience allowed me to shape Stallen into a true Indian multi-national providing the global quality and commitment in terms of product quality as well as service and brand ethos across our different organizational groups.

Poultry Creations: How did your academic background in Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology influence your approach to innovation in the poultry industry, and what drove your decision to transition from a Fortune 500 strategy consulting role in the US to join your family business, Stallen, in India?

Aniket: I wanted to be a part of the India growth story, which I believe has now truly picked up pace and I am glad I get to be right in the midst of it.
My technical education allows me to better understand the product and the manufacturing behind it – we have 4 manufacturing facilities, and it is this background that helps me better understand the flow rate between reactors, or capacities of our closed transfer systems. At a time during which our industry is seeing a lot of mergers and acquisitions, I am trying to emulate the organization and growth structures of those Fortune 500 companies to ensure Stallen can outpace the competition and is prepared for the future and continuity.

Poultry Creations: How do owning manufacturing facilities in Canada and the USA contribute to Stallen’s international footprint and expansion strategy, and how does the company effectively manage the challenges associated with regulatory frameworks and market dynamics across its diverse range of global operations?

Aniket: Having facilities abroad for one helps us access local talent and regional customers – but in addition during difficult times like COVID or the Suez Canal crisis, help us in still offering competitive products by minimizing the freight costs and shipping times. Having cross border facilities fosters innovation and the sharing of R&D helps us in introducing newer products and standardizing our products across the board. Today, we may be one of the only pure-play veterinary firms out of India with such a model globally and exports in all 6 in habited continents of the world. With approvals from the USDA, CFIA, Health Canada, APVMA, Russia, China and more, we offer a product and technical file that is thorough and internationally approved. We believe that our customers, be it in India or in the USA – should have access to the same product with the same quality.

Poultry Creations: Could you share insights into the key features and significance of the new therapeutics manufacturing facility that aligns with US FDA standards? How does this facility contribute to Stallen’s vision of being a global leader in veterinary pharma?

Aniket: Stallen is known to be strong in its offerings of feed additives, vaccines and certain bio-security products; however we have not been able to make an impact as strong as we would like in the therapeutic segment. It is part of our 2030 goal to ensure that a Stallen therapeutic product is available at every veterinary retailer in the country. We have the salesforce, the manufacturing capabilities, but we were lacking in this particular segment – we hope to launch a slew of new products over the next couple of years from generics to novel combinations to help fulfill this gap. With that Stallen can offer more to it’s current customers and also help tap into some of the smaller and household farms.

Poultry Creations: How does Stallen plan to position itself as the primary supplier of generic and branded veterinary drugs from India to the global market, aligning with Prime Ministers directive of India ‘Pharmacy to the World’?

Aniket: India is popularly known and accepted globally as a renowned supplier of medial drugs and formulations – generics and novel alike. However this repertoire has never carry forwarded to the veterinary side – there is no large veterinary drug manufacturer with extent of operations like the human counterparts. This opens up a large opportunity for our company and facility to obtain international approvals like the US FDA to then supply our products in developed markets through our brand name as well as in a CDMO capacity.

Poultry Creations: As a second-generation leader, how do you envision Stallen empowering the next generation of poultry entrepreneurs, both within your family and in the broader industry?

Aniket: It is an exciting time to be a part of Stallen and lead its change through the industry – we have observed that a majority of our customers and stakeholders are also going through a similar transition to the the second generation.
This change benefits all in terms of changed buying patterns, increased interest in quality, change from relationship-based procurement to quality-based procurement, to more professional management, cleaner business practices and a shared vision to move forward and offer a cleaner, greener and healthier end product to our general population.

Poultry Creations: In light of Stallen’s growth, how does the company integrate sustainability practices into its operations, especially concerning poultry healthcare?

Aniket: Stallen has always been to know to innovate and be ahead of its peers in the veterinary industry – taking a page out of the auto-makers hand book, Stallen moved its entire operations on to SAP S4 HANA – a move that helped standardize our quality benchmarks and procurement patterns. All our facilities are ISO 140001 (environmental standards) approved and we are constantly investing in our waste management programs to minimize our contributions. We are moving a variety of our promotional and marketing materials to a digital format to help minimize the carbon footprint and optimize product packaging to reduce the amount of paper consumed.

Poultry Creations: How has Mr. Amit Parikh, your father and founder of Stallen South Asia Private Limited, influenced and supported your entry into the veterinary industry?

Aniket: 2024 will close out an entire 360 in terms of our company’s growth cycle. My father, Mr Amit Parikh, entered the veterinary industry as a contract manufacturer to Novartis (now Elanco), for their poultry products in India. As a family, we used to focus purely on contract manufacturing for large pharmaceutical companies, and the veterinary business was an offshoot of the same. Today this offshoot has carved its on niche employing more than 400 people as a group with presence across the globe. We aim to use the standards and vision that he laid out in in 1990 while entering the industry to further enlarge our position within this space.

Poultry Creations: What do you see as the most significant challenges and opportunities in the veterinary pharmaceutical industry, and how does Stallen plan to navigate and capitalize on them?

Aniket: The current barrier to entry in India for new manufactures, especially in the feed additive segment is extremely low, or almost non-existent – this opens up an opportunity for a lot of unorganized players and adulterated products in the marketplace. These low cost products pose a temporary risk, disrupting the pricing models of more established and quality based firms. Standardization and government regulation will help ‘clean-up’ the number of companies and put Indian manufactured products in line with their international counter parts. Fortunately Stallen is already heavily invested in this cap-ex and is future proofed and ready for any such regulations – this will allow us to outpace our competitors and give the customers the products they deserve.

Poultry Creations: Based on your journey with Stallen, what advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs looking to enter the veterinary pharmaceutical or related industries, especially those from the next generation of family businesses?

Aniket: It is very important to maintain core competence and never forget the origins – always focus on one vision and build around that instead of attempting to dabble in several different avenues. Building on core competence helps the internal structure and invariably affects the positioning of the company – like the old saying – better to be a master of one then a jack of all.

Poultry Creations: What strategies do you consider essential for achieving sustainable growth and success in navigating the evolving trends and challenges within the poultry industry in India?

Aniket: The Indian business landscape is one for business schools – with various language and cultural barriers – it is very important to not have a standard template to your approach but instead customize and adapt to the situation. Hence our handling of customers, timely deliveries, pricing structures and marketing efforts all are constantly adapted region to region to ensure we are being all inclusive. At the end of the day, the most important formula for India is competitive price + quality product = long term loyalty.

Poultry Creations: What specific improvements or additions would you suggest to make Poultry Creations Magazine more valuable and relevant to its readers in the poultry industry?

Aniket: I think the magazine’s dynamic approach is going to position It well amongst the historical publications which somewhere have been diluted with way too many advertisements. The magazine should encourage and foster.

Empowering the Future: Second Generation Poultry Entrepreneurs

We are thrilled to present an enlightening conversation with Mr. Mohit Arora, Director, Ravioza Biotech & Biozene an industrious professional contributing significantly to the growth of Ravioza Biotech & Biozene within India’s thriving poultry landscape. Mohit’s multifaceted journey, from academic pursuits in renowned international universities to hands-on experience across diverse sectors, offers a unique vantage point into the intricacies of the poultry industry.

In our discussion, we explore Mohit’s extensive experiences, uncovering his perspectives and expertise. Delving into the industry’s challenges, encompassing aspects from production complexities to marketing strategies, Mohit graciously shares his insights. His forward-thinking recommendations aim not only to overcome existing obstacles but also to guide the poultry sector towards a prosperous and sustainable future.

Poultry Creations: What sparked your interest in the poultry industry, and how did your educational journey in business management and international business shape your approach to this field?

Mohit: After completing my education, I initially explored opportunities in a different industry. During this time, I gained valuable insights that led me to reconsider and ultimately decide to join my family’s established business in the poultry industry. My father’s esteemed reputation and extensive knowledge in this field were compelling factors that influenced my decision, as I recognized the invaluable mentorship and experience, he could provide for my professional growth. Moreover, observing the positive trajectory and growth prospects within the poultry industry further motivated me to align my career aspirations with this dynamic field. My educational background in Business Management from Robert Gordon University, Scotland and International Business from Salford university, UK has significantly shaped my approach to our family business.

Initially, my focus was on thoroughly understanding the business model and immersing myself in the industry’s operational nuances. Subsequently, I identified areas for potential improvement and innovation within our operations. Integrating the theoretical knowledge and practical insights garnered during my education, I am now implementing strategies and innovative approaches to enhance our business practices and achieve sustainable growth.

Poultry Creations: Your extensive educational background and practical experiences across various sectors are impressive. How do you apply the diverse skills and knowledge gained from your business management and international business degrees, as well as your internships in marketing and accounting, to the unique challenges and operations within the poultry industry?

Mohit : My educational journey included practical internships that provided valuable insights into business operations. When I joined our family business in India, I initially faced challenges adjusting to different work cultures, a common aspect across countries and companies. My international exposure has been crucial, especially in handling our global trading initiatives. Leveraging the skills and experiences gained from my education, particularly during my time in Europe, I’m actively involved in strategizing to expand our sales in international markets.

In my view, effective communication stands out as a vital factor in managing successful business deals. I aim to apply my diverse experiences and skills to navigate the unique challenges within the poultry industry, ensuring our business thrives.

Poultry Creations: Entering a family-owned business often brings forth distinctive challenges. Can you highlight some key moments or strategies you utilized to uphold and advance your father’s established legacy in the poultry sector while introducing your fresh perspectives and innovative approaches?

Mohit : I personally feel that joining a family business poses challenges for the new generation due to the pressure of upholding established success. However, it also presents a blessing and advantage to begin a career within a well-established business. One’s perspective on this situation varies based on the individual and how they approach it. Consequently, their actions will follow suit. My strategy is straightforward. Initially, I prioritize dedicating time to understand the business and industry thoroughly. I aim to implement changes that I believe will contribute to the company’s growth positively. Once I’ve gained a comprehensive understanding of the industry and acquired sufficient technical and financial knowledge about the business, establishing a solid foundation, I plan to introduce appropriate innovations that align with our goals and further advance the business.

Poultry Creations: How has your practical training and courses in poultry, specifically the experience at Agrivet school under Dr. Arindam and the team of veterinarians, impacted your understanding of poultry health management and its application within your company?

Mohit : So, I believe knowledge comes from both academic learning and practical experience. During my course at Agrivet School under Dr. Arvindam and the team of veterinarians, I learned about the poultry industry using both these methods. The remarkable aspect of the course at Agrivet was its comprehensive approach, covering various aspects of the industry. I feel much more confident in my current work after completing the course

Poultry Creations: Managing production and marketing in the poultry industry is a balancing act. Could you share how you manage this dual responsibility effectively? Additionally, when overseeing hatcheries spread across various locations like Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, what challenges do you encounter, and how do you maintain consistent operations and quality control among these different sites?”

Mohit : As of now, I am managing and planning my days accordingly. Taking care of the production will provide me with the best technical knowledge about the products and the industry as well. Marketing is something I have always been interested in, and I have a few plans in the future to enhance the intensity of our marketing strategies. We have a team of people who have been doing a great job before I joined the business. At this point, I wanted to take the responsibility to manage these segments and learn as much as I can right now.

Regarding the hatchery segment of our business, we have provided the right training and have responsible employees who are operating the hatcheries. I have weekly visits to the hatchery and engage in regular discussions with the managers there.

Poultry Creations: Ensuring sustainability and ethical practices in poultry production is increasingly important. What initiatives or innovations has Ravioza Biotech & Biozene implemented or plans to implement to promote sustainability and ethical standards in the poultry industry?

Mohit : Sustainability is a cornerstone for any business, and ethical practices are paramount. At Ravioza Biotech & Biozene, we’re actively engaging in promoting our company through all our social media channels. Additionally, we aim to provide farmers with knowledge about our products to foster awareness and promote ethical standards within the industry.

Poultry Creations: How has the support and guidance from your father, Dr. Dinesh Kumar Arora, played a pivotal role in your journey, especially in navigating the complexities of the poultry industry and your ventures into diverse sectors like pharmaceuticals?

Mohit: Working with my father is a pleasure due to his personality and work ethics; there is so much to learn from him. We have a good understanding between each other, and he is always supportive and open to my opinions.

With 30 years of experience in this industry, he has worked really hard to be where he is today, and I aim to assist him in growing the company. His knowledge, experience, and guidance are my biggest assets.

Poultry Creations: Can you share some of the most impactful lessons or insights you’ve gained while working in the poultry industry, and how have these experiences shaped your leadership style and decision-making processes?

Mohit: I am learning a lot since joining this industry, and I believe there is still much more to learn on this journey. I have observed people working really hard, witnessing their growth while always believing that the industry should grow at a similar pace. As part of the poultry industry family, I believe it’s essential for us to work together for the industry’s improvement, which will also contribute to our individual growth.

Poultry Creations: How do you navigate regulatory challenges and compliance issues in the poultry sector, and what measures do you take to ensure your company remains aligned with industry standards and regulations?

Mohit : I personally feel that the industry is in a stage of growth where we all need to act accordingly. We need to put efforts into improving the quality of work in every single segment of the industry. This will help us achieve a better and more sustainable future.

Poultry Creations: How do you navigate regulatory challenges and compliance issues in the poultry sector, and what measures do you take to ensure your company remains aligned with industry standards and regulations?

Mohit: To overcome challenges in the Indian poultry industry like high raw material costs, disease outbreaks, and regulatory complexities, essential strategies include leveraging technology for efficiency, implementing stringent biosecurity measures, diversifying supply chains, exploring new markets, and advocating for streamlined regulations. These initiatives aim to enhance productivity, mitigate risks, and foster sustainable growth in the industry.

Poultry Creations: Considering the nutritional benefits and versatility of chicken and eggs, how do you propose effectively promoting these food items to the general public? What strategies or innovative approaches would you suggest increasing awareness and encourage wider consumption?

Mohit: To effectively promote chicken and eggs, highlight their nutritional benefits via social media campaigns. Collaborate with influencers for recipe demos and partner with nutritionists for educational content. Introduce convenient, ready-to-cook options for wider consumption among diverse consumer lifestyles.

Poultry Creations: What constructive feedback or specific areas of improvement would you like to convey to Poultry Creations magazine in order to enhance its content quality, relevance, or impact within the poultry farming community.

Mohit: I believe Poultry Creations magazine is doing wonderful work; it’s an absolute privilege to be part of your esteemed publication. Thank you for providing such valuable insights and opportunities to the poultry community.