Typhoo Tea set for Jan launch in India

Typhoo Tea, which was acquired by the Apeejay Surrendra Group in 2005, is eyeing an Indian launch and may even set up a manufacturing facility in the country.

Typhoo Chief Executive Officer Marcus Banfield said a couple of brands were likely to be launched in January 2008. "The research is being done. It would be in the premium segment," he said while speaking on the sidelines of the 11th National Conference of National HRD Network.

Typhoo has brands such as London Fruit & Herb, Heath & Heather, Melrose and Glengetti. The Indian tea bag market, has been growing at 40 per cent so it makes sense for Typhoo to tap the segment, Banfield said. Typhoo would also consider setting up a manufacturing facility in India, which would cater to the south-east Asian and Australian markets. The Indian facility would give the company access to cheaper labour and logistics for export to countries closer to India, he said. Presently, Typhoo has only one manufacturing facility in the UK. Typhoo Tea has its headquarters in the UK in Moreton on the Wirral, where products are blended, packaged and sold to 39 countries across the world.

Typhoo was in the middle of a cost reduction programme, part of its strategy to make operations more efficient, post-acquisition by Apeejay group.