Oomerbhoy plans brand expansion

Foods company RR Oomerbhoy (RRO) is looking at diversifying the portfolio of its own brands as well as tapping newer export markets over the next year.

The company is considering launching products in the dairy, juices and ready-to-eat categories, said Riyadh Oomerbhoy, managing director, RRO.

The company has recently launched vermicelli under the RRO brand in Mumbai, expanding from its core business of premium oils.

While the company had partnerships with global companies such as Unilever Italy and France for three of its brands "� Bertolli olive oil, Boursin cheese and the Maille range of wine, vinegar and mustard, it sold pastas and pasta sauces under the Barilla brand, Oomerbhoy said.

Own brands would continue to drive RRO's business, he added. "We should close this year at Rs 100 crore (compared with Rs 70 crore in 2005-06), and about 70 per cent of our revenues will come from our own brands," Oomerbhoy said.

The company, which already exports the RRO mustard oil to West Asia, will expand its reach significantly by the end of FY07.

"We will be launching our oils in other countries in the region, followed by the East African countries, the UK and the US by the end of the year," he said.

RRO would aim at tapping the expatriate population there, Oomerbhoy added. "We would like to be the number one player in the categories we operate in over the next five years," he said, adding "the focus will not be on becoming the biggest brand "� but the best "� in the segment".

The company, launched Riso Gallo risotto in India a few months ago, will continue to launch other international food brands in the country.