Bhumika Chauhan
In a business environment where speed is often mistaken for success, Mr. Pankaj Mishra’s entrepreneurial journey stands apart for its emphasis on ownership, control, and long-term value creation. As the Founder of the P N D Group, which comprises P N D Global Logistics, P N D Maritime Pvt. Ltd., and the FMCG brand Bakeats, he represents a new generation of Indian entrepreneurs who believe that real growth comes from understanding systems deeply and building them with intent. At 38, Pankaj Mishra has already built a diversified business ecosystem that supports global trade, domestic manufacturing, and employment for more than a hundred families.
The roots of this journey were planted long before entrepreneurship became a conscious choice. Pankaj Mishra’s early life was marked by introspection, discipline, and an inclination toward learning. An introverted schoolboy, he gradually evolved into a focused student and an academically accomplished professional. He completed his Mechanical Engineering and went on to earn a Gold Medal in Industrial Engineering and Management, reflecting not only academic excellence but also a mindset inclined toward optimisation, structure, and efficiency. These qualities would later become central to how he approached business.
His professional career began in the corporate world, where he worked with organisations such as Wipro, Lava International, and Delhivery. These roles provided him with first-hand exposure to large-scale operations, logistics networks, team leadership, and strategic execution. More importantly, they allowed him to see how businesses function behind the scenes, where delays, dependencies, and inefficiencies often determine success or failure. Logistics, in particular, emerged as a space where fragmented processes and excessive reliance on intermediaries created persistent challenges for businesses trying to scale.
Alongside his corporate journey, Pankaj also spent time teaching engineering students while preparing for the Services Selection Board examination. This phase of his life strengthened his discipline, patience, and sense of responsibility. Teaching reinforced his belief that clarity and structure are essential for growth, whether in education or business. Yet, despite the stability and respect these paths offered, the desire to build something of his own continued to grow stronger. He believed deeply in the idea that creating opportunities for others was more meaningful than simply occupying a role within an organisation.
At the age of 32, driven by this conviction, Pankaj Mishra took the entrepreneurial leap. Along with his co-founder, Mr. Amit Chaudhary, he decided to address a problem he had experienced repeatedly during his corporate years. Businesses were overly dependent on intermediaries in logistics, resulting in slower movement, higher costs, and reduced control. This insight became the foundation for P N D Global Logistics, which was incorporated on 2nd August 2019 with a starting capital of ₹50 lakhs. The objective was clear from day one—to provide end-to-end logistics solutions under one roof and eliminate unnecessary dependencies.
The early years of P N D Global Logistics were far from easy. Regulatory complexities, financial constraints, and the challenge of building trust as a new entrant tested the resilience of the founders. As a first-generation entrepreneur with no business legacy to rely on, Pankaj faced skepticism from industry peers and well-wishers alike. Leaving a stable career for an uncertain future was not universally understood or supported. Yet, patience and precision became his guiding principles. Rather than chasing rapid expansion, he focused on building credibility through execution.
A defining strategic decision was to directly register with major shipping lines, bypassing third-party intermediaries. This move gave P N D Global Logistics greater control over freight movement, pricing, and reliability. Over time, this approach proved its merit. Clients began to experience faster clearances, better coordination, and improved cost efficiency. Gradually, trust replaced skepticism, and the company transitioned from survival mode to sustainable growth. Today, P N D Global Logistics is a profitable enterprise with a turnover of ₹35 crore, offering comprehensive logistics solutions to businesses across sectors.
The company’s service portfolio reflects its end-to-end philosophy. From freight forwarding and shipping to customs clearance and documentation, P N D Global Logistics manages every aspect of global trade. Its capabilities span air and ocean transport for full container loads, less-than-container loads, over-dimension cargo, and perishable goods. With 24×7 customs clearance support and expertise in liaising with Customs, CBEC, and DGFT, the company ensures smooth import and export operations. Its presence in FTWZ and SEZ zones further enhances its ability to serve complex trade requirements efficiently.
As the business scaled, Pankaj Mishra identified another critical aspect of control within the logistics value chain—container ownership. To address this, he launched P N D Maritime Pvt. Ltd., enabling the group to operate company-owned cargo containers. This strategic expansion strengthened operational reliability, reduced dependency on external container availability, and offered clients greater predictability in global trade. With P N D Maritime, the group moved a step closer to its vision of owning and managing the entire logistics ecosystem rather than merely participating in it.
While logistics formed the backbone of the P N D Group, Pankaj’s entrepreneurial ambition extended beyond a single industry. The launch of Bakeats marked the group’s entry into FMCG manufacturing, driven by a belief that quality food products should not be restricted by geography or price. Bakeats was conceived with a clear vision—to deliver export-quality cookies and bakery products to both Indian and global consumers. Manufactured entirely in-house at a high-capacity facility in Noida capable of producing approximately 14 tonnes in 24 hours, the brand places strong emphasis on hygiene, freshness, and consistency.
Bakeats distinguishes itself through its uncompromising approach to ingredients and process. With a strict no-palm-oil philosophy and the use of premium raw materials, the brand challenges conventional norms in the mass-market bakery segment. Despite being only five months old, Bakeats has already launched multiple cookie variants and rusks, gaining traction through distribution and exports. By offering export-level quality at accessible price points, Bakeats aligns strongly with the Made in India vision, carrying Indian-made products to markets such as the UAE and New Zealand, with more destinations planned in the near future.
Beyond business metrics, the impact of the P N D Group is deeply human. With over 100 employees across logistics operations and manufacturing units, the group supports the livelihoods and aspirations of more than a hundred families. Pankaj Mishra views business as a platform for collective growth rather than individual success. This belief shapes his leadership style, which is modern, approachable, and solution-oriented. As a millennial entrepreneur, he values open communication, active listening, and team empowerment over hierarchy and control.
Leadership, for Pankaj, is about building people alongside products. His focus on problem-solving rather than blame has fostered a culture of trust and accountability within the organisation. Many team members have grown with the business, reflecting his belief that sustainable growth depends as much on people as on processes. This approach has helped the P N D Group navigate challenges while maintaining a positive and resilient work culture.
The entrepreneurial journey has also been shaped by personal responsibility and discipline. Balancing family commitments with the pressures of building a business tested Pankaj’s resolve, especially during the early years. Yet, these responsibilities strengthened his focus and reinforced his values. He believes that time, when respected and managed with patience, becomes the strongest ally in entrepreneurship.
Inspired by leaders such as Ratan Tata, whose humility, values, and long-term thinking continue to guide him, Pankaj Mishra remains committed to building brands that earn trust over time. His learnings from entrepreneurship emphasise adaptability, consistency, and the courage to step out of comfort zones. He firmly believes that quality and trust, once compromised, are difficult to rebuild.
Looking ahead, the future of the P N D Group is defined by controlled expansion. Plans include scaling the container fleet under P N D Maritime, strengthening global trade routes, and growing Bakeats into a nationally recognised FMCG brand with strong export presence. Each growth decision is guided by the same principle that sparked the journey—ownership creates accountability, and accountability creates lasting value.
For aspiring entrepreneurs, Pankaj Mishra’s advice is rooted in experience. There is no fixed playbook for success. Take advice, trust your instincts, stay consistent, and remain humble. Entrepreneurship is not about overnight results but about building something meaningful over time.
Through P N D Group, Pankaj Mishra continues to demonstrate that when businesses are built with clarity, discipline, and purpose, they can create impact far beyond balance sheets. His journey stands as a reminder that in a dependency-heavy world, ownership-driven thinking can still build resilient, future-ready enterprises.
Website : https://www.bakeats.in/
Website : https://www.pdgl.in/
Website : https://www.pndmaritime.com/
