NV Group to invest Rs 45 crore in spirits production

Alcoholic beverages maker NV Group today said it is in the process of investing nearly Rs 450 crore in two facilities as it aims to nearly quadruple its capacity to 750 kilolitres a day by 2012.

The company, which has two distilleries and five bottling plants at the moment, currently has a production capacity of 200 kilolitres per day. It is in the process of establishing two more multi-grain distilleries in Assam and Andhra Pradesh.

"We are investing nearly Rs 450 crore in Assam and Andhra Pradesh for setting up two distilleries. With these becoming operational in 2012, our capacity will touch 750 kl a day from present 200 kl a day," NV Group Chairman Ashok Jain said.

Capital-based NV Group, which has 12 alcoholic brands, including Blue Moon Vodka and Party Special Whiskey, under its portfolio, is one of the biggest spirits makers in India.

The company intends to use the spirits manufactured at its plants for third party use as well for its own consumption, Jain added.

On export plans, Jain said it exports its Party Special whiskey to Angola and is also looking at South Asian and other African countries.

"At the moment, we are exporting nearly 50,000 cases of Party Special whiskey to Angola. We are also looking to extend exports to other African and South Asian nations," he said.

It is also eyeing the canteen stores department (CSD) to market its products for the armed forces.

"We will be shortly there (CSD). Earlier, there was some issue with eligibility but now that's not an issue," Jain said.

Besides, the company on November 19 inked a sales and manufacturing agreement with France's Belvedere Group for launching its products in the country.

Under the agreement, NV Group would manufacture Belvedere group's famed 'Sobieski' vodka from its Haryana- based distillery and then market it through its network.

The company would also launch other products ,including ready-to-drink alcoholic beverage and brandy from the Belvedere group.