Recently, we interacted with Piyush Kerni and Himanshu Bajpai, Co-Founders of 3S Fitness Technologies – a leading manufacturer and developer of cutting edge nutraceutical formulations, with ISO & WHO GMP certified facilities and having the capacity to produce up to 2 tonnes/day.
Here are the interview highlights:
- How did the idea for this startup originate, and what background or experiences contributed to its formation?
The idea for the startup originated from the age-old concept of need. India, being the fastest-growing economy in the world, presents a plethora of opportunities across sectors. Following the trend, it was evident that the increasing percentage of the young working population with high purchasing power, when combined with awareness of health and wellness, will look for products and brands that provide solutions around the preventive approach to health. Our hypothesis was validated back then by the launch of multiple startups and brands in the health and wellness space. All these brands needed a partner who could help them develop and produce these products as per global standards. There was a clear white space in the manufacturing ecosystem of world-class products, so we grabbed the opportunity with both hands and laid the foundation of 3S Fitness Technologies in 2016 and started our operations in 2018.
- In a rapidly evolving fitness technology scene, what distinctive innovations or solutions does the company offer to the market?
Our response to this question is the question itself. In the modern-day retail ecosystem with enablers like e-commerce, consumer-centric markets, and influencer markets, the feedback loop for a product has gone very small. Also, the increased awareness among consumers enables the market to have expectations around new ingredients, flavours, packaging, etc. even before the product has become mainstream in the market. This is where 3S Fitness Technologies provides the exact solution needed. We are the only stakeholder in the industry wherein the processes are driven using technology, so you can develop a new formulation and get the regulatory check done for your product on a real-time basis, thus reducing the timeline from ideation to launch from a minimum of 90 days as per industry standard to less than 45 days at 3S. Our KT team conducts active analysis of the product portfolio of our partner brands and, based on factors like purchase cycle, target audience feedback, etc., keeps suggesting and developing new products even before the brand identifies a gap or opportunity.
- Can you share some insights into the company’s product offerings and how they benefit both fitness enthusiasts and professionals?
3S Fitness Technologies is currently providing products in powder and capsule delivery formats. Our product portfolio includes products from categories like sports nutrition, lifestyle nutrition, healthy ageing, ethical nutrition, kid nutrition, functional foods, and preventive care. With a portfolio of 250+ products, we provide solutions ranging from something as simple as glucose to something as complex as nutrition for patients who are undergoing therapy and clinical treatment to something as innovative as how your coffee can give you glowing skin and healthy joints. Along with the above, at 3S Fitness, we are also investing in setting up Asia’s first gourmet nutrition plant.
- What are the current challenges and opportunities in the fitness technology sector, and how is the company positioned to address them?
In our opinion, the biggest challenge faced by the Indian fitness industry is the availability of the right resources to create a product or solution. This challenge in terms of resources may include but is not limited to the right infrastructure, quality ingredients, certifications, testing, supply chain, etc. We at 3S are committed to solving each of these challenges. Our state-of-the-art manufacturing unit located in Manesar gives Indian brands access to a registered manufacturing ecosystem, making us export-ready. For quality ingredients, 3S is collaborating with global suppliers of clinically evident ingredients and creating a trusted network of vendors to have access to world-class ingredients. In certain cases, these contracts are mutually exclusive to 3S for certification and testing. 3S is now approved by certain global certification bodies, and if your products are produced at the 3S manufacturing unit, they are directly eligible for testing. These certifications include WADA testing, chemical testing, quality testing, etc.
India is the fastest-growing market with one of the largest consumer bases and a market for every category. At 3S, our vast product plethora enables brands from all spectrums to have a solution for their customer base ready. Our in-house R&D capability enables these brands to develop new products in no time. Our end-to-end solution matrix, from product conceptualization to packaging development to production, lets the brand focus only on sales and make the most of the available opportunity.
5. What are the company’s goals and vision for the future of fitness technology, and how does it plan to achieve them?
At 3S Fitness Technologies, our goal and vision are to create a world-class manufacturing ecosystem enabled by technology to lay the foundation of the future and contribute to India’s vision of becoming the global manufacturing capital.
