Kolkata-based Bengal Chemicals is exploring the possibility of technical tie-up with a European multinational to market the latter's products in India. The BIFR-referred company, founded by legendary scientist Acharya Prafulla Chandra Roy, will manufacture and market disinfectants for the MNC in the country for use in the agricultural and animal husbandry sectors.
"This is going to be a technical tie-up. The investment obligation for BCPL is negligible. We have excess capacity lying unused in four plants and it will be utilised for manufacturing disinfectants," Probir Roy, managing director, BCPL, said.
He, however, refused to name the MNC, saying that negotiations have reached a crucial stage with MNC officials having recently visited BCPL's factory.
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The initiative is in line with company's renewed orientation towards pharmaceuticals. Almost 46 per cent of its turnover comes from this division in comparison consumer products which contribute around 50 per cent and the rest is contributed by chemical division. The company clocked a turnover of Rs 46 crore in 2000-01. It is also exporting pharmaceuticals to Myanmar. It has also filed applications with Bangladesh and Sri Lankan authorities for exporting into these countries.
BCPL is likely to bolster its product portfolio by introducing a number of new items, some of which were discontinued years ago. They include herbal product like Asvan, a vitality medicine which will reintroduced according to market demand. The company also plans to introduce 5-6 new products every year, Roy said. It has four factories, two in Kolkata and one each in Mumbai and Kanpur. It has also received GMP accreditation from the World Health Organisation (WHO).
BCPL is also in the midst of restructuring its manpower. From 2200 in 1986, the staff strength has been brought down to 900. It will be further trimmed to 865 as per the BIFR guidelines in a year, Roy added. The company is also sprucing up its marketing strategy with enhanced expenditure in advertisement campaigns.
BCPL is also looking at commercial utilisation of its huge property scattered across the country. The fund realised would be ploughed back to improve operation, Roy said.