Bergner India to set up manufacturing unit in Dahej

Bergner India, an Indian subsidiary of Austrian kitchenware making company Bergner is looking for land in Gujarat to set up its manufacturing facility in the state.

The company is considering places including Dahej near Bharuch for the proposed plant, a top company official informed here on Saturday.

Bergner launched its stainless steel, die cast and ceramic varieties of kitchenware in Gujarat market on Wednesday. The parent company, Bergner Austria has manufacturing facilities in countries like China, Italy and Thailand.

The company's first manufacturing facility in India is likely to be located in Gujarat.

"Looking at the growth potential in the Indian kitchenware market, we are planning to have our own manufacturing facility. Gujarat will be our preferred destination for the same," said Devendra Shrimal, chief executive officer, Bergner India.

"At present, we are in the process of identifying location for our manufacturing facility in the state. Project's financial details and product specifications are yet to be worked out. But Gujarat is our priority to set up the facility as it is more convenient to market our products to the European market from here," Shrimal said. Currently, the company outsources its production to local manufacturing units in southern India.

Bergner is aggressive about Indian market as the company is looking to capture about 3 per cent of India's Rs 5000-crore kitchenware market by 2011-12 and increase it to about 5 per cent by 2012-13. Country's kitchenware market is largely fragmented and unorganised, while organised players hold nearly Rs 1500 crore of the total market size in India.

"We have an inclusive product portfolio of kitchenware to offer in Indian market. With a mix of high-end cook ware and value-for-money range of kitchenware, we aim to tap tier-1 cities initially and from 2012 onwards we would also increase our presence in the tier-2 cities," said Shrimal.

The company currently offers four of its kitchenware brands in India, of which Kaiserhoff is one of the largest selling brands in India.