India is home to many inspiring success stories, and one such story is that of Bipin Hadvani, the Chairman and Managing Director of Gopal Snacks Limited. From humble beginnings, Bipin has built a multi-crore business and made a name for himself in the snack industry.
As a child, Bipin was drawn to the snack business his father ran from their small village shop. His father rode his bicycle to neighboring villages to sell the famed Gujarati delicacies he produced. Bipin helped his father after school, learning the ropes of the snack business.
Bipin made the decision to launch his own company in 1990 after gaining expertise working with his father. He co-founded a snack venture with just Rs 4,500 borrowed from his father. After four years, he parted ways with his partner and, with Rs 2.5 lakh in hand, he set out to build his own business.
In 1994, Bipin made a bold move and bought a house with the support of his wife. The house became the foundation of Gopal Snacks, with their kitchen serving as the production center. Bipin would ride his bicycle around Rajkot, talking to local shopkeepers and traders to understand the market.
His hard work paid off as sales grew steadily, and demand for their snacks increased. This success allowed Bipin to buy a plot of land outside the city and build a factory. Unfortunately, the location turned out to be inconvenient, and the factory was shut down. Undeterred, Bipin took out loans and set up a new unit within the city, which turned out to be a success.
Gopal Snacks is India’s top producer of snack pellets and gathiya, and it ranks fourth in market share among traditional snack brands. In FY 2023, the company achieved a remarkable market capitalization of Rs 5539 crore.
