Interview of MD, Mendico, Mr. Dilpreet Singh Mendiratta
March 25, 2025
In this edition of Our Partner, Our Pride, Supriya Sundriyal of Corporate Communications interacts with the Managing Director of Mendico, Mr Dilpreet Singh Mendiratta who takes us through his company’s journey and elaborates on why they switched to stainless steel for their recent tip trailers. Started in 2004 by his father and uncle, Mendico is a trusted name in the tip trailer manufacturing industry. The company has over 2,000 customers and has sold more than 8,500 vehicles till now. From 40-50 trailers per month initially to 150-200 trailers per month now, Mendico has plans to set up a new plant in Alwar which will further boost its production capacity.
First of all, can you please tell us about yourself and your company?
My name is Dilpreet Singh Mehndiratta. I completed my MBA from Amity University and joined our family business in 2017. This company was founded by my father and uncle in 2004, and now, after nearly 20 years, we have grown significantly.
We specialise in manufacturing semi-trailers, including sidewall trailers, tip trailers, tip cement bulkers, semi low-bed trailers, and more. When I first joined in 2017, we were producing around 40 to 50 trailers per month. Today, in 2025, we have scaled up our production to approximately 150 to 200 trailers per month.
I am proud to share that we are India’s first AIS 113 certified trailer manufacturer. Additionally, we were among the pioneers in introducing cement bulker manufacturing in Rajasthan.
Our operations run from two manufacturing plants—one in Alwar and the other in Kotputli. I oversee the Alwar plant, while my younger brother, Mr Maninder Singh Mehndiratta, manages the Kotputli plant.
Are there any expansion plans in the pipeline? Also, what is your current market reach and penetration?
When it comes to market penetration and expansion, we are currently operating from two major manufacturing plants—one in Alwar and the other in Kotputli. As part of our expansion plans, we are setting up a new mold plant in Alwar, which will significantly boost our production capacity and allow us to manufacture more trailers in the coming years.
Market penetration is equally important because we can’t acquire new customers every day. Instead, we focus on understanding our existing customers’ needs and delivering solutions that help grow their businesses. Take stainless steel, for example—we chose to manufacture stainless steel trailers because we identified a growing demand for them. Customers in industries like salt transportation, where corrosion resistance is crucial, benefit greatly from this option. Similarly, for those looking for weight reduction solutions, we offer SSDT (Stainless Steel Dump Trailers), which enhances efficiency.
In addition to product innovation, we maintain strong one-on-one communication with our customers, ensuring we provide the best service and support. This approach allows us to penetrate the market effectively.
As for the current trends in the tip trailer manufacturing industry, we are observing several changes. Many new players are entering the market with advanced technologies, including robotic welding and high-tech machinery. While the market is still in the early stages of adopting these advancements, we believe that in the coming years, such innovations will become more mainstream. The focus is shifting towards manufacturing more efficient and eco-friendly trailers, which will help customers reduce fuel consumption and improve overall performance.
You just mentioned the latest technologies making their way into the manufacturing industry. AI is another major topic of discussion in the tip trailer manufacturing sector. Are you also incorporating AI into your processes?
AI is a powerful tool, and we are actively researching its applications. I wouldn’t say we are fully utilizing it yet, as AI is a vast field, and its effectiveness depends on how well you leverage it for specific tasks.
In our case, AI is helping us in multiple ways—especially in optimising trailer weight. It allows us to analyze how we can reduce weight while maintaining strength and durability. For instance, when working with stainless steel, AI helps us determine the right grade for different applications, ensuring the best performance for specific use cases.
Additionally, AI is playing a crucial role in aerodynamics, helping us design more fuel-efficient trailers. It assists in generating precise design drawings, enabling us to create trailers that consume less fuel, ultimately benefiting our customers by improving operational efficiency and cost savings.
You’ve talked a lot about stainless steel, and you recently introduced stainless steel in your tip trailers as well. What made you switch to stainless steel, and why do you believe it is a better choice compared to conventional metals?
Our journey with stainless steel began about six months ago. As we worked on market penetration and expansion, we started identifying new customer needs. Some of our clients were using tip trailers for salt applications, and they were relying on mild steel. However, mild steel is highly prone to rust, which significantly reduces the trailer’s lifespan.
We needed to offer a better solution—something that would enhance performance, be cost-effective in the long run, and provide better value for money. That’s when we explored stainless steel and began collaborating with JSL. We conducted in-depth research to understand how stainless steel could be used in tip trailers, as it was a new material for us. We had to learn about its welding techniques, key components, and critical factors to consider in manufacturing.
Through JSL, we discovered that SS 304 is an ideal grade for salt applications because of its corrosion resistance. Beyond that, stainless steel also offers several advantages—it is fire-resistant, crack-resistant, and highly durable. While the initial cost for customers may be slightly higher, they quickly recover their investment due to lower maintenance costs.
One of the biggest benefits of stainless steel is that it is maintenance-free. With mild steel, customers had to regularly repaint their trailers to prevent rust. But with stainless steel, there’s no need for frequent painting since it naturally resists corrosion. This was a game-changer for us, and that’s why we decided to introduce stainless steel tip trailers.
When did your association with Jindal Stainless begin, and what do you think makes Jindal Stainless stand out from others?
This is quite an interesting story, and I must commend JSL for their support. We had already identified the need for stainless steel in salt applications, but finding the right vendor is crucial for any business. That’s when JSL approached us and provided valuable guidance on how we could collaborate with them.
They helped us understand which stainless steel grade would be best suited for our application and supported us throughout the entire process. From welding techniques to paint application—everything was different from working with mild steel. JSL played a key role in educating us and ensuring a smooth transition to stainless steel tip trailers.
What gave me confidence in working with JSL was their credibility. I couldn’t risk partnering with an untrusted vendor, and since JSL is a well-established, reliable brand, I was certain that working with them would be beneficial. That’s why we moved forward with this collaboration, and it has proven to be a great decision.
You are a second-generation entrepreneur, carrying forward the legacy of Mendico. Is there any message or advice you would like to share with future entrepreneurs?
Entrepreneurship is a journey in itself—a legacy that we are carrying forward. Taking our family business to new heights is challenging, but not impossible. The key is to keep learning every day, adapting to new changes, and ensuring that we don’t repeat our past mistakes.
Many people say that competition in our industry is intense, and that’s true. Competition will always exist, and there’s no way to eliminate it. However, the best way to stay ahead is by continuously innovating and expanding our product line. That’s exactly why we introduced stainless steel tip trailers—because we need to reach new customers and enhance our manufacturing capabilities. By launching new trailers, investing in specialized projects, and exploring new opportunities, we can ensure long-term growth.
I also want to emphasize that entrepreneurship is not a 100-meter sprint—it’s a marathon. Success comes from patience, learning from mistakes, and making strategic decisions over time.
Thank you for having me. It was a pleasure sharing my insights, and I hope this message inspires upcoming entrepreneurs. Thank you so much!
