Britannia launches first exports-only facility in Gujarat

The biscuits and rusks manufactured at the Gujarat plant will be exported to international markets such as North America, the UK, African countries, Singapore, Australia etc.

In a bid to strengthen its global footprint, fast-moving consumer goods major Britannia Industries has launched its first export-oriented manufacturing facility at Mundra.

The cream biscuits, short dough biscuits and rusks manufactured at the Gujarat plant will be exported to international markets such as North America, the UK, African countries, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia.

Vinay Singh Kushwaha, vice-president, supply chain at Britannia Industries, said, “This new facility dovetails into our ‘one new global market a year’ expansion plan and creating the most optimal global supply chain footprint. This will also strengthen our position as a leading player in packaged foods globally and also by deploying best- in- world technologies.”

The company, which has the presence in over 60 countries, has been following a policy of entering at least one new geography every year. As part of its global expansion, Britannia has finalised plans to start a manufacturing unit in Nepal to localise production. The company already has a solid presence in Nepal, said Gunjan Shah, vice-president for sales, Britannia, adding that with localisation, the company will further strengthen its presence in the neighbouring country.

Britannia Managing Director Varun Berry expects the company’s international market to grow at faster pace than the India business. He said its international business grew in double digits during the fourth quarter ended March 2018 despite a slowdown in geographies like West Asia and Africa.

Set up with an investment of Rs 1.6 billion, the Mundra facility has three product lines with an annual production capacity of 28,000 million tonnes. The unit has a total workforce of 800 personnel.

The company said it chose Mundra as the location for its first exports facility because it is situated on international maritime routes, offering multiple benefits for global trade.

The food firm is also coming up with a Rs 10-billion integrated food park in Ranjangaon near Pune, likely to become operational by August. The first line of the plant will start producing cakes, followed by biscuits, croissants and dairy products.