Capturing South Asia’s ready-to-eat revolution: JBT Marel on technology, training, and trust

As South Asia’s food processing industry undergoes rapid transformation, global technology leaders are increasingly investing in localized solutions to meet regional demands. JBT Marel’s recent establishment of a Global Production Center in Pune marks a significant milestone in this shift. In this exclusive conversation, Vikram Mulmule, VP of Sales and Operations at JBT Marel, shares insights on how the company is tailoring advanced FoodTech and automated systems for diverse South Asian markets.

From addressing food safety and sustainability challenges to capitalizing on growth opportunities in ready-to-eat foods and poultry processing, Mulmule discusses JBT Marel’s strategy for driving innovation and collaboration across the region.

IBT: How do you tailor JBT Marel’s global FoodTech and Automated Systems solutions to meet the unique needs and market realities of the South Asia subcontinent — especially in diverse markets like India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka?

Vikram Mulmule: At JBT Marel, we recognize the unique dynamics of the South Asian market, including India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. Our approach is deeply rooted in understanding local needs and regulatory landscapes. We customize our FoodTech and Automated Systems solutions to align with regional demands, ensuring our technologies can handle local food products and operational practices. By partnering with local companies and institutions, we enhance our market presence and foster innovation tailored to regional conditions. Our commitment extends to offering comprehensive training and support, empowering local operators with the skills needed to maximize our technologies’ benefits.

The opening of our Global Production Center (GPC) in Pune, India, further strengthens our ability to serve the South Asian market. This facility acts as a hub for innovation and collaboration, allowing us to develop and test solutions that meet local requirements. It enhances our capacity to deliver sustainable, efficient, and culturally sensitive solutions, driving growth and innovation across the region.

IBT: What impact do you expect the new India-based GPC to have on lead times, cost-efficiency, after-sales service and customer support across South Asia?

Vikram Mulmule: The Global Production Center (GPC) in Pune is a strategic investment designed to transform how we serve South Asia. By localizing testing, validation, and process optimization, we significantly reduce lead times—customers no longer need to ship products overseas for trials & validation. This accelerates decision-making and implementation.
Cost-efficiency improves because we can tailor solutions locally, minimizing logistics and customization expenses. The GPC also strengthens after-sales service: our regional experts provide hands-on support, troubleshooting, and operator training right here in India, ensuring faster response times and higher uptime.

Finally, customer support becomes more collaborative. The GPC acts as an innovation hub where we can co-develop solutions with direct processors and validate recipes, optimize production lines under real market conditions. This proximity and partnership approach will help South Asian food processors adopt advanced technologies with more confidence and trust.

 

 Frigoscandia – ©FloFreeze Freezer (True Fluidized Bed Freezer)

IBT: How is JBT Marel leveraging its technology and service offerings in South Asia to address challenges of food safety, yield optimization and sustainability — and what are the biggest obstacles you encounter?

Vikram Mulmule: JBT Marel is tackling South Asia’s food industry challenges through advanced technology and localized service. Food safety is non-negotiable, so we integrate automated hygiene controls, traceability systems, and precision processing to meet stringent standards. Yield optimization is driven by smart equipment that minimizes waste and maximizes throughput—even with variable raw material quality common in the region. Our efficient freezing solutions, including high-performance spiral, IQF’s and impingement freezers, lock in product quality and reduce drip loss, ensuring superior yield and shelf life.

Sustainability is embedded in our designs – energy-efficient systems, water-saving technologies, and carbon-reducing solutions are central to our offerings. The Global Process Center (GPC) in Pune strengthens this approach by enabling local trials, recipe validation, and process optimization. Combined with Innova software for real-time data insights and PROCARE Service ARC for proactive maintenance, we deliver end-to-end solutions that empower South Asian processors to achieve safety, efficiency, and sustainability.

IBT: Which segments — e.g. meat/meat-processing, ready-to-eat, fruit/vegetable processing, beverages — do you see as the fastest growth opportunities in South Asia over the next 3–5 years, and why?

Vikram Mulmule: In South Asia, several food processing segments are poised for substantial growth over the next 3-5 years, driven by evolving consumer preferences and economic development. The Ready-to-Eat (RTE) foods segment is experiencing rapid expansion, fueled by fast-paced urban lifestyles and increasing disposable incomes. Consumers are seeking convenient meal solutions, making RTE foods a prime area for growth. JBT Marel’s innovative packaging and preservation technologies support this growth which help extend shelf life while maintaining product quality. The poultry and seafood industry is set for significant growth as well. With a growing middle class and an increasing focus on protein-rich diets, there’s a rising demand for processed poultry and other protein products. Our advanced processing solutions help enhance efficiency and product quality at each step in the process.

Fruit and vegetable processing is another segment with strong growth potential. As health consciousness rises, there’s increasing demand for processed fruits and vegetables, including juices, purees, and frozen products. JBT Marel’s cutting-edge preservation technologies now manufactured in India at GPC Pune, helps maintain nutritional value and extend shelf life, catering to health-focused consumers.
Lastly, the beverage sector, particularly non-alcoholic drinks like juices, health drinks, and functional beverages, is booming. This growth is driven by consumer interest in health and wellness products.

All these segments share common drivers: changing consumer habits, stricter food safety regulations, and the push for sustainability. Challenges like fragmented supply chains and cost sensitivity persist, but with localized innovation & manufacturing from our Global Production Center together with robust local Service support —we aim to help processors in South Asia meet these demands efficiently and sustainably.

IBT: What is your strategy for building and scaling after-sales service, training (e.g. operator training), and customer support infrastructure in South Asia to ensure clients can fully leverage JBT Marel systems?

Vikram Mulmule: Our strategy for building and scaling after-sales service, training, and customer support infrastructure in South Asia focuses on localization, technological integration, and strategic partnerships to ensure clients can fully leverage JBT Marel systems.
We are committed to establishing local service hubs across key markets, ensuring that skilled technicians and support staff are readily available. This localization allows us to provide timely and efficient after-sales service, minimizing downtime and ensuring smooth operations for our clients.

Comprehensive training programs are a cornerstone of our approach. We offer tailored operator training, both on-site and at local facilities, equipping operators with the skills needed to maximize system performance and efficiency.
Technological integration plays a crucial role in our strategy, particularly through our ProCare service agreements and Innova software solutions. ProCare ensures regular maintenance and proactive support, helping clients prevent potential issues and extend equipment lifespan. Meanwhile, Innova software provides real-time data analytics and monitoring, empowering clients to optimize production processes and improve decision-making. We actively seek customer feedback to continuously improve our services, adapting our offerings to better meet evolving needs. Through these initiatives, we aim to empower our clients in South Asia, driving efficiency and innovation in their operations

ALCO Spiral Freezer

IBT: What are your key objectives for JBT Marel’s participation in Indusfood Manufacturing 2026, and how do you plan to engage with Indian and regional food-industry players through this event to drive growth and collaboration?

Vikram Mulmule: Our participation in Indusfood Manufacturing 2026 is centered on driving collaboration and showcasing innovation that addresses the evolving needs of India and the broader South Asian food industry. A key objective is to highlight our commitment to the “Make in India” initiative through the Global Process Center (GPC) in Pune, which enables local manufacturing, faster customization, and hands-on trials for regional processors.

We plan to engage through interactive sessions, live demonstrations, and thought-leadership presentations that illustrate how our technologies deliver on critical priorities—food safety, yield optimization, and sustainability. Visitors will experience solutions like Advanced freezing systems, Prepared food systems for ready-to-eat / read-to-cook meals and UHT processing with particulate handling, designed to maintain product integrity and quality while improving efficiency.
Collaboration is at the heart of our strategy. By connecting with industry leaders, local companies, and institutions, we aim to co-create solutions tailored to regional challenges, fostering growth and innovation across South Asia.

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Vikram Mulmule, Vice President – South Asia, at JBT Marel India, is a global leader in food processing technology. With over 25+ years of experience in Sales and Strategic business development, Mr. Mulmule has been instrumental in expanding JBT Marel’s presence in South Asia and driving innovation in sustainable food processing solutions. Under his leadership, JBT Marel continues to shape the future of food technology in South Asia, focusing on delivering cutting-edge solutions that enhance efficiency, safety, and sustainability in food processing.