Rajdeepak Bhargava, the CMD of Avignon Shipping Company, has a different success story to tell, unlike most of his peers in the shipping industry. Most promoters step into the shipping industry after gaining the experience and knowledge needed to handle the complexities involved in this line of business. Mr Bhargava, however, did not enter the shipping sector by his own volition. After a string of unsuccessful business ventures, he finally decided to start a shipping company and established Avignon Shipping Company in 1995.

Today, the Pune-based company is one of the oldest and leading customs clearing and forwarding agent in India, having a permanent custom house agent (CHA) licence. Mr Bhargava says, “Frankly speaking, I had no idea that my company would come so far. Currently, Avignon specialises in consolidation of cargoes on a turnkey basis, project cargo services, import and export of machinery, components & spares and import and export of raw materials and chemicals, in almost all the major segments of freight forwarding and customs clearing.”

Recalling memories

Mr Bhargava reflects on his earlier days, when it was becoming increasingly difficult for him to run his family with a meagre earning. “Equipped with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, I started a small manufacturing unit to produce various electronic parts for black and white televisions in the mid 1980s. I was doing brisk business and had captured quite a large share of the domestic market. But with the advent of colour televisions, the demand for black and white televisions declined, and the market for my products contracted significantly,” recalls Mr Bhargava.

Times were tough for Mr Bhargava, till one day in 1994, he got an offer from a childhood friend to join his freight trading company as the Marketing Manager. Though the designation came with a meagre salary of Rs 4,000, he grabbed the opportunity to sustain his family. It was only later that he realised that this chance happening had opened up new opportunities for him. He says, “While working as the Marketing Manager for the company, I learnt the basics of freight forwarding. It also helped me to network with knowledgeable people in the shipping industry, which proved immensely beneficial while starting my company.”

Giant leap

For Mr Bhargava, starting his own shipping company was no less than a giant leap. It was one of Mr Bhargava’s well wishers who gave him the idea to establish his own company. “Initially I was hesitant, because every business venture I had previously undertaken had failed due to unforeseen reasons,” rues Mr Bhargava. Finally, however, in 1995 he received the licence to operate as a custom house agent in Pune. Since then there has been no looking back for Mr Bhargava and his brainchild Avignon Shipping.

Achievements

Mr Bhargava’s dedication, honesty and mental strength have helped him surmount all obstacles that have come his way. A complete stranger to the shipping industry, he became one of the leading players in this sector due to his focus and tenacity. Recognised as a visionary by his peers, Mr Bhargava also holds the presidential position in the Pune Customs House Association.