How a businessman from a small UP city built a Rs 150 crore cooling empire

In the early 1990s, when large companies dominated the home appliances industry, a small-town entrepreneur from Uttar Pradesh set out to carve a space in the competitive market. With a minimal investment, Rajeev Kumar Gupta started an air cooler manufacturing business in 1992. Growing up in the small village of Sapnawat in Ghaziabad, he saw his father run a Kirana store while his mother managed the household. With limited resources and a highly competitive market, the odds were against him. Yet, he pursued his vision of creating efficient and affordable cooling solutions for Indian households.

Thermocool Home Appliances initially operated with just six members. Over the years, the company expanded, establishing a strong presence in Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and beyond. From a small office, it grew into a 4,000-square-foot head office, reflecting its transformation from a regional player to a national brand. Today, Thermocool generates a revenue of Rs 150 crore in FY 2024-25.

Thermocool has expanded its product range beyond air coolers to include washing machines, water heaters, televisions, and fans. The company has introduced technologies such as Honeycomb High-Density Cooling Pads, Ice Chamber Cooling, IoT-based real-time monitoring, and AI-based predictive maintenance.

From a small business in 1992 to a recognised name in the home appliance sector, Thermocool’s journey reflects resilience and adaptation to changing market dynamics.