 "Ground-breaking ceremony for Givaudan's Pune site")
Givaudan, a Swiss manufacturer of flavours, fragrances and active cosmetic ingredients, will invest Swiss Franc 55 million (about Rs 366 crore) - the biggest investment in India since 1998 - in a new flavours manufacturing facility at Ranjangaon (Pune, Maharashtra) to serve end-user industries in India, which is one of the key high growth markets globally for Givaudan.
The new site, which is expected to open in 2018, will complement Givaudan’s existing flavour manufacturing facility in Daman.
Givaudan laid the foundation for the flavours manufacturing facility on October 22, 2015 in presence of Bhushan Gagrani, CEO, Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), Gilles Andrier, Givaudan CEO, and Monila Kothari, commercial head APAC, Givaudan Flavours.
In August 2015, Givaudan released details of its 2020 strategy, which aims to achieve an increased footprint in high growth markets as a key strategic pillar. India is one such territory that is expanding at pace, and the flavours manufacturing facility in Pune, which will open in 2018, is testament to Givaudan’s commitment to invest heavily in India’s future.
Gilles Andrier, CEO, Givaudan, said, “This major investment reflects India’s importance to Givaudan, and our overall 2020 strategy of investment in high growth markets. It shows our commitment to continue to collaborate closely with customers in Asia Pacific and provide differentiated solutions for local market needs.”
Expected to employ around 100 people, the Pune facility will boost Givaudan’s capabilities in liquids compounding, powder blending, emulsions, process flavours and spray drying in India. It also means customers from across the Indian sub-continent will benefit from faster access to Givaudan’s flavour solutions.
Monila Kothari commented, “Givaudan has a 50 year heritage of operating in India and these are exciting times for us. The doubling of our flavour production capacity is testament to our commitment to India, and will help us continue to meet the dynamic needs of the Indian market for innovative products and great taste experiences.”
The Pune flavours manufacturing facility is the latest Indian evolution for Givaudan, in response to an exciting market that demands authentic local taste experiences, and a new found emphasis on embracing a more international flavours palette.
During the past decade, in particular, there has been a continuous growth in the food processing industry in India, together with customers demanding ever more diversity. Givaudan has aimed to establish itself as the flavours industry leader in India with its agility and an engrained quality in its processes and products.
The new manufacturing facility together with Givaudan’s facility in Daman and the flavour innovation centre in Mumbai will boost the company’s capabilities in India. “Most importantly, we will double our production capacity with the new site, enabling us to get our products to our customers faster as we support them in growing their brands across the Indian-subcontinent,” explained Swaminathan, operations head of India, Givaudan.
Explaining factors driving the flavours market in India, Tansukh Jain, commercial head of India, Givaudan, said, “Health and wellness is now an increasingly popular lifestyle choice, with an emphasis on lower fat and sugar. We are also seeing a huge increase in the need for truly authentic flavours from traditional Indian cuisine, together with a greater desire for more international flavours, particularly from the West. Finally, processed food products are becoming much more popular, and this in itself is really opening up the market for flavours so opportunities abound on all fronts. We are often required to demonstrate our superior knowledge and to react fast to market needs, and Pune is perfectly set up to meet the often very demanding needs of our customers.”
Givaudan opened its Mumbai flavour innovation centre in 2013 to meet the rising customer demand for its industry-leading technical services across the Indian sub-continent. The centre has been instrumental in supporting Givaudan’s customers with sensory science, flavour science and foodservice expertise directly from India, thus offering closer collaboration and creating true consumer-preferred taste experiences to differentiate their products in the marketplace.
“Givaudan’s goal is to be a true partner to our customers, becoming an extension of their team, where necessary, and helping them stay one step ahead of the competition,” added Tansukh Jain.
Headquartered in Switzerland with local presence in over 80 locations, Givaudan is one of the global leaders in the creation of fragrances and flavours. In close collaboration with food, beverage, consumer product and fragrance partners, Givaudan develops tastes and scents that delight consumers the world over.
