Ludhiana to get dry fruit, juice packaging plant

Ludhiana will have a juice and dry fruit packaging plant in the industrial area of the city in three months.

The plant will be set up by New Delhi-based Rittal Impex Ltd. The packaging of juices with the brand name "Coco Joos" and dry fruits with the brand name "Shriram's Namkeens" will be done at the facility.

Company Vice-President Ajay Kumar said this while launching Coco Joos and Shriram's Namkeens in Punjab at a function held at the Hotel Taksonz.

Five flavours of Coco Joos and six varieties of Shriram's Namkeens were introduced by the Rs 30-crore company.

"Our 200 ml pack of juice is priced at just Rs 10. Juices by other companies are available at a price between Rs 12 to Rs. 16 and that is what gives us an edge over them. Similarly our namkeen's are available at the price of Rs 24 to Rs 26 for a 200-gram pack." Kumar said.

Speaking to Business Standard, Kumar said the company had been a market leader in the branded dry fruits category in India for the past 25 years.

"Our dry fruit, with the brand name Shriram's, is already exported to more than 100 countries and ours is the only company in the country which produces 40 types of almonds and 50 types of cashewnuts. For the manufacture of juices, we have tied up with the Himachal Pradesh Horticulture Manufacturing Corporation (HPMC) at Parwanoo in Himachal Pradesh and for packaging, with Godrej. At present, we have two manufacturing facilities in Mohan Co-operatives area in New Delhi.''

Giving details about the juice and dry fruit packaging plant coming up in Ludhiana, Kumar said that they had already got land at subsidized rates from the Punjab government.

"This plant will come up with an investment of Rs 15-20 crore and it will cater to the neighbouring states of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. It will be a fully automatic plant and will generate employment for at least 60 people," he added.

Kumar said, "With the health and fitness trend sweeping the markets, consumers are seeking healthier products with natural ingredients and low sugar content to quench their thirst". Globally, people are opting for non-aerated, healthy alternatives.