GCPL plans to launch acquired brands in next 6 mths

After making five acquisitions this year, FMCG player GCPL today said it is undertaking a major integration exercise under which a few of its acquired brands would be launched in India within the next six months.

Besides, Godrej Consumer Products Ltd (GCPL) will also launch some of its own brands in the overseas market through the network of the acquired entities.

"We are taking some of our brands to countries like Indonesia, Africa and Latin America while we will bring hair colours from Argentina. So this whole exercise of cross pollination of our brands will take place within the next six months," GCPL Managing Director A Mahendran told PTI.
    
Earlier this year, the company had done a spree of acquisitions. After acquiring Nigeria's personal care brand Tura, GCPL bought Indonesia's household insecticide brand Megasari.
    
The group later on acquired two hair care firms-- Issue and Argencos in Latin America.

It had also bought out its erstwhile partner Sara Lee from their joint venture in India.
    
GCPL said it is planning to introduce its hair colour products to Indonesia and its household insecticides to Africa and Latin America.
    
Besides, it is also looking at launching hair care brands from Argentina in India by leveraging on technology from Issue and Argencos.
    
In India, GCPL sells hair colour products under the brands Godrej Expert, Renew among others, besides it has mosquito repellent 'GoodKnight'.
    
Moreover, GCPL will also bring paper tissue products from Indonesia to India, Mahendran added.
    
Besides, the company is also restructuring its management as part of the integration process.
    
Naveen Gupta, who has been managing international business operations for Godrej Sara Lee has moved to Indonesia to be the COO. It has also sent two finance and operations professionals from India to join the Megasari team.
    
"Similarly in Argentina we will have the local management team continue to lead the business while we support them in operations, finance and HR through talent from India," he said.
    
The company has also announced its plan to expand the capacity of its soap production by setting up a new plant in the country at the cost of Rs 150 crore.
    
"We are currently looking for location to set up the plant. It will be around the coastal area, most probably in Andhra Pradesh," he said.
    
The new plant will add 50,000 tonnes of fresh capacity to its existing 125,000 annually.
    
At present, the company has two soap plants across the country.