Akshit G, Co Founder
GVM Engineering Solutions Pvt Ltd
In an exclusive interview with Mr. Akshit, he discusses GVM engineering, their product portfolio tailored to the food industry, highlighting their unique selling points. Additionally, Mr. Akshit sheds light on the significance of lubricants in the food processing sector and outlines the rigorous measures taken to guarantee the quality and safety of their lubricant products for food-related applications.
1. Kindly brief us about GVM Engineering.
GVM Engineering was started with a sole intention to showcase how world class technologically advanced products can increase the production efficiency for the Indian Manufacturers and thereby also meet the global standards of production, taking the Indian Manufacturing scale to another dimension. Representing brands in India, from across the globe – we focus on value addition to our customers, thereby not only increasing the overall product efficiency but also increasing the perceived value of the Indian Products in the global market. Our product basket ranges from Specialty Lubricants and Engineering Adhesives up to Thermal Management, focusing on a wide Indian Industrial Consumable requirement.
2. Could you provide an overview of the range of lubricant products you offer to the food and allied industry? Please highlight the different types of lubricants you provide and their specific applications.
We represent Huskey Specialty Lubricants, from USA for India. A 79-year-old company which has engraved its name for quality lubricants, worldwide. Huskey has a wide array of Specialty lubricants catering to almost all the requirements for the F&B and its allied industries. Our products are mostly synthetic based with a multiple combination of additives suitable to handle any challenging application. From PTFE, PAG, Silicone, PFPE based to anti seize food grade lubricants capable of working up to +1800°C – we ensure higher productivity and reduced re-lubrication intervals for our customers.
Our products come with a combination of having high chemical and steam/water resistance – thereby catering to most critical F&B industrial applications. Our products also come with a tri-certification of NSF H1 and H2, Kosher and HALAL.
Doing our part to the environment and ensuring sustainability, we have engineered our food grade lubricants to be biodegradable in nature ensuring easy disposability after usage at the customer site.
3. How do you perceive the role of lubricants in the food processing industry? Please share your insights on the significance of lubrication in ensuring smooth and safe operations.
Health and safety remain top priorities for manufacturers in the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical sectors. Maintaining high standards of cleanliness and hygiene is paramount.
Food-grade lubricants are required to not only fulfil the same technical roles as conventional lubricants, encompassing functions like protecting against wear, friction, corrosion, and oxidation. They must also manage heat dissipation, exhibit compatibility with rubber and various sealing materials, and in specific instances, offer sealing capabilities as well.
Moreover, diverse applications within the food and pharmaceutical industries necessitate lubricants that can withstand degradation caused by food items, chemicals, water/steam exposure, and must display neutrality towards plastics and elastomers. Additionally, these lubricants must adhere to regulations pertaining to food safety and health. They should be physiologically inert, lacking taste and odor, and possess international approvals.
An overview of their role and importance includes Friction Reduction, Contamination Prevention, Hygiene and Cleanliness, Equipment Longevity, Energy Efficiency, Operational Efficiency, Corrosion Protection, Temperature Regulation and Noise Reduction and the crucial Regulatory Compliance.
In conclusion, lubricants are essential to the smooth and safe operation of equipment in the food processing industry. They not only reduce friction but also contribute to hygiene, contamination prevention, equipment longevity, and overall operational efficiency. By choosing the right lubricants and following proper maintenance practices, food processing businesses can ensure the quality of their products while meeting stringent regulatory requirements.
4. In a competitive market, how do you ensure the quality and safety of your lubricant products for food-related applications? What quality control measures and certifications do you have in place?
Huskey possess the ISO 9001-2015 certification, a globally acknowledged Quality Management System. This entails an evaluation and audit of each department within our company to ensure alignment with our established Quality Standards. Moreover, to enhance the comprehensiveness of our assessments, we engage an external auditing firm to conduct a thorough examination of our entire system.
Our line of food grade products holds registrations with NSF and is certified as Kosher and Halal compliant. NSF certification ensures food safety by verifying lubricants meet strict standards. Kosher and Halal certifications indicate compliance with dietary laws, catering to diverse consumer needs in food grade lubricants, globally. Securing these approvals necessitates inspections conducted by the respective agencies, with certifications being renewed annually.
5. Could you elaborate on the unique selling points (USPs) of your specialty lubricants in comparison to your competitors? What distinguishes your products in terms of performance, quality, and environmental considerations?
When it comes to quality lubricants, Huskey is the brand that comes soon after!
Our lubricants are engineered to function in the most challenging environments and critical areas of the machinery in the F&B industries. We mainly focus synthetic products owing to its sheer benefits coupled with our latest generation manufacturing processes and additives – prove to be a winning solution for us. In the F&B Industry not all application requires food grade lubricant, and to cater to such needs too, we can provide value added solution from our wide range of products. These products tend to have a longer working life and temperature resistance – proving how a simple quality synthetic lubricant can reduce not only your re-lubrication interval but also your inventory levels.
Our team, after their thorough application study in your plant – can recommend a suitable lubricant based on tested data gathered from years of experience. Our product’s performance in the market is known to be world class, ensuring more productivity and value to your output. Our products are specifically designed to each sector of the F&B industry’s application, hence making it a proven product in the global markets. Products range from simple synthetic to PTFE/PFPE/Silicone or even PAG based lubricants.
We are continuously striving and making our best efforts towards sustainable manufacturing at the plant, sustainable and ecofriendly packing and at the same time making sure our products also do not cause any sort of harm to our environment. This translates into all our food grade products being non hazardous and ecofriendly in nature. To top it, our food grade oils are engineered to be biodegradable in nature – ensuring easy disposability at customer end and least harm to the environment.
6. With regards to the lubrication sector within the food processing industry, what trends or changes do you anticipate in the coming years? How do you foresee the demands and requirements evolving?
Over the last decade, the emphasis has primarily been on demonstrating the qualities of food-grade lubricants and their advantages within the F&B industries. Presently, there is a noticeable shift in focus toward more sustainable and environmentally friendly/biodegradable alternatives, largely propelled by the substantial momentum of Industry 4.0. Additionally, customers are increasingly mindful of the stringent regulations imposed by various regulatory bodies, seeking the use of certified products for their machinery operations. Considering the robust CAGR of 11.05% projected for the Indian F&B sector by 2027, it is evident that the food-grade lubricant industry is poised for significant growth in the forthcoming years. Given India’s growing emphasis on exports, adhering to global certification standards becomes a pivotal consideration.
7. Brief us on your firm’s recent achievements and future plans?
Our motto is value addition in the products what we recommend to our customers. Huskey, a recently launched lubricant brand in India has swiftly made its mark across diverse industrial sectors, including food and beverage industries. With a strong focus on quality and innovation, we have been known in the market through our quality driven performance, demonstrating our commitment to excellence. Looking ahead, our future plans encompass expanding our product range, enhancing sustainability practices, and further strengthening our partnerships within the industrial landscape to continue delivering top-tier lubrication solutions, by keeping our motto at the forefront.
