| Nirlep's managing director Mukund Bhogale said that the professional cookware range to be introduced in India would be co-branded Nirlep-Pardini. "We will target the fast expanding hospitality and food sector in India for the soon to be introduced professional range," Bhogale said. |
| Nirlep has an on-going original equipment manufacturer (OEM) tie-up to manufacture and supply non-stick cookware to the 10 million Euro, Italy-based Pardini. The company currently makes Pardini cookware under technology licence from the Italian partner for global sales. "The co-branded cookware will be sold under a royalty arrangement with Pardini," Bhogale said. |
| He said this is a completely new segment in India and the company sees a sizeable opportunity in the growing hospitality sector as well as professional caterers. He however did not indicate any numbers in terms of units to be sold or the revenue addition from the new range. "Professional cookware currently forms about seven per cent of our business," he said. |
| Bhogale informed that Pardini is among the world's four major professional cookware makers, the other three being Agnelli of Italy and Deboir and Metfer (both of France). |
| Nirlep has recently began its brand extension plans with introduction of pressure cookers and gas stoves. Bhogale said the company has recently signed a tie up with petroleum companies Hindustan Petroleum and Bharat Petroleum for sale of Nirlep products at the retail gas outlets. |
| "While the arrangement is working satisfactorily, the company will soon enter a similar arrangement with the Indian Oil Corporation," he said. He however clarified that the company only trades in gas stoves and does not manufacture them. |
| The Rs 200 crore Nirlep Group is also in automotive components manufacturing and has an OEM tie with Germany's BMW for handle bars for motorcycles and Same Tractors of Italy for sub assemblies and suspension parts. About 25 per cent of the group business comes from cookware. |
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