Munish Sood
MANDI: Hill Thrill Agro Processor Pvt. Ltd., a professionally managed food processing company based in the remote hills of Mandi district in Himachal Pradesh, has achieved national recognition after receiving the prestigious “Fastest Growing Indian Company Excellence Award” at a high-profile ceremony in New Delhi.
The company operates from Badu village under Chhachyot panchayat in the Gohar sub-division of Mandi district, making this honour particularly significant for rural entrepreneurship in Himachal Pradesh.
The award was presented during the International Achievers Conference in the presence of industrial leaders, senior officials and entrepreneurs from different parts of India. The award was received by company directors Ravinder Kumar and Hira Mani Sharma, who credited the achievement to the continuous efforts of their workers, farmer partners and the unwavering support of the local community.
Chairman Bhagirath Chauhan congratulated the entire team and said this recognition has placed both Mandi and Himachal Pradesh firmly on India’s agro-processing map.
From remote Himachal village to national recognition
Hill Thrill’s journey began in 2009, when visionary entrepreneur Bhagirath Chauhan, along with his trusted partner Ilam Deen Ali from Hamirpur, laid the foundation of a small venture named Gold Home. What began as a modest initiative in the hills of Mandi gradually transformed into a structured and ambitious enterprise.
Bhagirath Chauhan groomed his sons Ravinder Chauhan and Pushpraj Chauhan, while bringing on board Hira Mani Sharma and Nitin Sharma, creating a balanced team of technical and managerial strength.
• Ravinder Chauhan (B.Tech) handled ground operations in Himachal.
• Pushpraj Chauhan (MBA) strengthened marketing and organisational systems from Chandigarh.
• Nitin Sharma (B.Tech, Food Processing from HPU) led the technical and product development wing.
• Hira Mani Sharma guided coordination and business development.
Formal company formation and R&D phase
In 2018, the promoters formally established Hill Thrill Agro Processor Pvt. Ltd., exiting the earlier Gold Home structure. Over the next two years, the company invested heavily in research, product refinement, hygiene protocols and packaging standards, setting the stage for a stronger market presence.
In 2022, Bhagirat Chauhan and Ilam Deen Ali re-acquired Gold Home, making their entrepreneurial journey a complete cycle and strengthening their integrated business framework.
The company built its identity around value-added products based on the rich horticultural output of Mandi and other parts of Himachal Pradesh.
Key products include traditional apple pickle (inspired by Himachal’s apple-producing belts), lingar pickle, bamboo pickle, galgal juice with natural preservatives and aloe vera-based health drinks.
All products are processed with low salt content, zero artificial preservatives and natural preservation techniques, positioning the brand in the premium natural foods segment.
Covid resilience and national expansion
During the COVID-19 disruption, Hill Thrill used the downtime to upgrade internal systems, streamline supply chains and improve product designs. Collaborations with established brands like Bikano and digital expansion through IndiaMart allowed the company to create a nationwide distribution footprint.
Fruit wines and direct manufacturing
Hill Thrill also diversified into licensed fruit-based wines using locally grown apples and seasonal fruits, adding significant value to Himachal’s horticulture sector.
In 2021, the company set up its own independent manufacturing facility, enabling direct sales to distributors and strengthening quality control across the production chain.
Investment, subsidies and infrastructure development
The promoters invested personal funds and also secured a loan of approximately ₹1.3 crore to develop processing infrastructure in rural Mandi. Growth was further supported by horticulture grants, subsidy schemes and improved logistics.
Hill Thrill has become the backbone for the local rural economy in Mandi and surrounding regions. The company:
• Provides a stable market to over 400 farmers
• Employs more than 100 local residents
• Conducts vocational and technical training programmes in rural areas
The direct procurement model ensures fair pricing and stable income for the farming community.
Production operations are guided by HS Guleria, a former HPMC technologist with over 45 years of experience. The company strictly follows chemical-free processing, low sodium formulations, natural shelf-life methods, continuous innovation in packaging and product presentation.
New pride for Mandi and Himachal
With the national recognition received in Delhi, Hill Thrill Agro Processor Pvt. Ltd. has emerged as one of the most promising agro-processing ventures in India. More importantly, it has showcased how enterprises rooted in rural areas like Badu village of Chhachyot, Gohar in Mandi district can achieve national and global relevance.
The leadership has announced plans for capacity expansion, export-oriented products and deeper farmer integration, ensuring that the growth story of Hill Thrill continues to strengthen Mandi’s industrial identity and Himachal Pradesh’s economic profile.
