Amway enters fast growing HP mkt

Amway, one of the world's largest direct-selling companies, has entered Himachal Pradesh by opening its first office in the hill state today. Company officials also launched a health product, "salmon omega", on the occasion.

"Himachal is one of the fastest-growing markets in the country, and with the opening of this office we will be able to process orders faster and hope to grow by 25 per cent every year," said Stephen Beddoe, Amway's marketing director.

"The new local ordering centre at Shimla will service around 220 small and big towns of the hill state including Shimla, Solan, Dharamsala, Mandi, Kullu, Kangra, besides even remote villages," he said.

"The current turnover of our sales products is Rs 4 crore in the state," Beddoe said.

Explaining Salmon Omega he said," It is derived from Atlantic salmon fish, the richest source of omega 3 fatty acids on the planet. It has been formulated to improve the functioning of the heart."

He said, this naturally sourced product is effective for reducing the incidence of heart ailment."Amway India has recorded a turnover of Rs 633 crore during the last financial year."

The seven year old company claims to be the largest direct selling FMCG company in the country and began its operations in India seven years ago with an investment of Rs 91 crore in the first year (in 1998). In the last seven years the company has 48 offices,20 local ordering centres and 47 city warehouses.

Its distribution and home delivery network reaches 2000 locations dealing in 73 products in five categories, personal care, home care, nutrition, cosmetics and welfare. Off late we have made forays into the male grooming segment, estimated to be around Rs 300 crore.

Amway has also launched the 'attitude' range of premium skin care products targeting Indian women.

Amway launches a new product almost every month, the latest being "salmon omega". Based in Michigan, United States, the 70 year old $ 7 billion turnover company has its farms in the US and Brazil and claims to produce products in organic soil, free of pesticides and fungicides.

"So far we have no plans of owning our farms in India as we feel the environment isn't ideal here to produce our high quality products."