Mobile Ventures with a Purpose: Puneet Anand’s Azimuth Business On Wheels

 Explore the journey of Azimuth business on wheels founder Puneet anand as he reveals a world of revolutionary mobile business solutions. Explore food trucks, retail, pet grooming, and more.

Azimuth is revolutionizing entrepreneurship, breaking new ground, and inspiring change on a global level.

With the ever-changing landscape of entrepreneurship, innovators are constantly looking for new ways to make the market easier and more creative. One such innovator is India's leading mobile business solutions manufacturing and fabrication start-up, Azimuth Business on Wheels, founded by Mr Puneet. We caught up with Mr. Anand to discuss Azimuth's journey and its impact around the world.

Q.1 What kind of unique brand name do you use for your business – azimuth business on wheels? Why did you choose this name?

This is a question I get asked a lot, and I have to say it is a great topic of conversation. Let me tell you how I came up with the name for my company.

I was a merchant vessel master mariner for almost 20 years, so I was familiar with the terms ‘Azimuth’ and ‘direction’ in the maritime industry. When you are starting a new business or business venture, it is important to have a clear purpose and direction. This idea resonated with me and our team, which is why we chose the name of our company – azimuth biz on wheels.

When we started in 2016 we had very little experience, to say the least.

In order to stand out and excite the interest of the potential customers, we decided to use our company name to impress them. Now, after 7 years, we have served more than 500 brands with the services of Azimuth. We are based in Noida and have manufacturing facilities in Tamil Nadu & Goa. Due to the overwhelming demand for our mobile business solutions we are now growing even more. We are planning to open additional manufacturing facilities in Jabalpur & Kolkata to meet the increasing demand of Azimuth business on wheels.

Q.2 Can you tell us what inspired you to start your business? We'd love to hear your story.

When I was working overseas, I noticed a lot of clean and colorful food trucks serving delicious food. Every time our ship landed at a port I would make it a point to eat at these food trucks. It made me wonder if we'd have food trucks like this in India. We have a lot of different cuisines in India and it seemed like a waste that we didn't have a clean street food industry. The only food vans we had at the time were the dull rusty Chinese vans which we called "jugaad" vans /trucks.

When I decided to put my career on hold, I took a big leap of faith by starting my very first food truck. I guess I always had a secret love for food, and my first food truck opened up a whole world of possibilities for me. The response to my food truck was amazing, and I grew to own 6 food trucks in 10-12 months, but the challenges of getting my trucks manufactured made me realize that there are no solutions in mobile manufacturing in India. Planning, design, clarity and material quality are all issues that make building a food truck a challenge. A decade ago, the concept of a food truck in the Indian market was unheard of. The fancy, bright, and beautiful dream trucks that we have in our workshops today are beyond anyone's imagination. Then in 2016, we started Azimuth. And since then, there is no looking back.

I’ve learned a lot about business through my time at sea. Towards the end of my career in the maritime industry, I worked on many shipbuilding projects both in Japan and in China. I learned a lot about steel, coating and material management, as well as a lot about build inspections.

In 2015, we realized that ‘wheels’ could be used for industries other than food and beverages. This realization gave rise to the second part of our company’s name. 

Food is still a big part of our business, but I want to point out that we also serve other industries like manufacturing, retail and cosmetics, marketing experience and tourism.

We’ve also noticed a growing need for mobile Caravans and Homes in our country as a result of changing travel trends and infrastructure development. We’re looking forward to exploring more opportunities in mobility and providing customized solutions for our clients.

Q. Can you tell us more about the type of mobile solutions that Azimuth offers? Is it not just food trucks?

Yes, we offer a variety of customized vehicles, ranging from small tricycles to 40 ft trailers. At first, we mainly served clients in the food and beverage industry, but we quickly realised that there is huge potential in India for organized street vending and innovative smart solutions that can change the face of cities. We think that every business should have a mobile wing. Not only F&B, but we have also seen other manufacturing businesses understand the importance of "Business on wheels" in increasing their brand exposure, visibility, and flexibility, all while cutting down on investment and overheads.

Our experience lies in designing and building a wide range of mobile solutions, such as food trucks, food trailers, mobile kiosks, mobile containers, retail trucks, marketing vans, business equipment testing vehicles, custom display trucks, pet grooming vehicles, and more. No matter what the requirements are, we have the skills and capabilities to create a custom solution.

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Q. How do you think Azimuth stands out from traditional brick and mortar businesses in the dynamic market of India?

A: We are delighted to see India's growth in the economy, but it is important to understand that this growth also has a direct effect on real estate, lease and mortgage prices. When it comes to capital expenditure, mobile solutions (or businesses on wheels) tend to be more cost-effective as they are temporary in nature. 

Our company's main strength lies in providing simplicity, flexibility and eye-catching solutions. Mobility also allows operators to easily target their target audience. We have noticed a big change in the service industry, with more people choosing to do business from the comfort of their own home. Not only do we provide last-mile services, but we also bring the business to your door.

Whether you’re running an on-site grocery store near you or a pet groomer for your furry friends, this field provides plenty of room for experimentation and innovation for businesses looking to better, more seamlessly, and empathically connect with their customers.

Q.5 How do you keep up with the latest trends?

Q. How do you make sure your mobile units are functional, safe and aesthetically pleasing?

A: We have a strict process for each order that we receive. We start by understanding our client's concept and target customer. It is very important for your food business to have a professional food truck. Our team has a lot of experience working with operators and brainstorming ideas, planning meticulously, and creating 2D layouts for in-house projects. We make sure to optimize space inside the truck and arrange the kitchen layout for easy workflow. We also make sure that storage and equipment placement is correct.

Q. What is the safety checklist that we use?

We use a comprehensive safety checklist to make sure that our trucks meet the basic safety standards. We only use commercial-grade equipment and do safety checks and tests at different stages of the build. We have a strict safety policy for the products that we deliver. We are currently in the process of creating automatic fire suppression systems.

Each vehicle’s visual appeal and branding is discussed and agreed upon with the client in advance. We put in a lot of time and effort to make each truck stand out from the crowd. This includes designing eye-catching and visually appealing exteriors, unique yet clean signage, vibrant branding, and creative designs that match a specific brand.

The design of your food truck is the heart and soul of your business. It’s what your potential customers are looking for, and it’s what you want them to see.

I’m proud to say that at Azimuth, we’re a company that leads by example. We’re a trendsetter, not a follower. That’s why we’re proud to create unique, cutting-edge solutions that set the industry standard.

Q.6 You seem to have thought it all out. Now that you have a clear view of the global market what are the challenges and opportunities you see for growing Azimuth's business and presence outside of India? 

I am happy to say that we are actively growing our business and have taken the first steps towards establishing our international presence. In the last two years we have delivered some of the most unique mobile trailers/trucks for many projects with overseas conglomerate.

In order to grow our global presence, India needs to create favourable policies for businesses like ours that promote cooperation and partnership on the global scene. This includes simplifying administrative procedures and bringing regulations in line with international standards. One of the major issues we face in the industry is that there are no clear-cut rules for the operation of a food truck in India. There is huge potential for business on wheels and the need for mobile solutions only increased after the COVID-19 pandemic. We hope that India will develop conducive norms for vehicles, licensing and related regulations to enable global growth. With these enhanced regulations, we can soon see Azimuth's first international unit outside of India.

Q.7 Puneet, if you are an aspiring entrepreneur, what is the most important lesson you have learned on your journey of starting a new business concept?

As an entrepreneur, it is important for you to understand that any new idea, innovation or business venture, if it solves an existing problem, will eventually come to fruition with hard work, patience and perseverance. Every new idea, innovation and business venture has its own set of difficulties and setbacks. There is no silver bullet for success in life. The only way to achieve sustainable growth is to stay focused on your vision, but also be flexible, open to learning and change at every stage. Fortunately, we live in a country that loves innovation and offers plenty of chances for new business ideas. Establishing a solid foundation, educating your consumers and building trust are the most important things to do. Don't forget that it's never too late to start over.

At the end of this conversation, we will see Azimuth's mobile solutions not only revolutionize business practices but also symbolize modern business' spirit of flexibility and innovation.

consulsion 

In this story, we’ll take you on a journey of Puneet anand’s experiences with Azimuth business on wheels, a company that goes beyond the limits of what is possible. From imagining versatile mobile units, to navigating global markets, Puneet shares his insights on the transformative power of entrepreneurship. As we wrap up this conversation, it’s clear that Azimuth's mobile solutions not only revolutionize business processes, but they also symbolize modern business’s spirit of flexibility and innovation.