Godrej says in talks with P&G to give up Ambipur licence

Godrej Consumer Products (GCPL) today said it was in talks with Procter & Gamble (P&G) to give up its licence to sell air freshener brand ‘Ambipur’ in India.

GCPL holds the licensing right for Ambipur in India till 2012. However, it has been speculated that P&G is likely to buy it out, after the US company bought the global rights of the brand, except for India, in December last year from Sara Lee for $468 million.

The company also hinted at the possibility of bringing to India the Indonesian air care brand Megasari, which it acquired recently, once ‘Ambipur’ goes away from its portfolio.

“”We don’t know how long we will continue to handle Ambipur. We are in discussion with Procter & Gamble on that. But it won’t be very long,” GCPL Chairman Adi Godrej had said at a conference call last week.

“In Indonesia, we are leaders in air care. Now that, the Ambipur brand will go away from our portfolio, we will look to leveraging our Indonesian experience in brands and so there are many opportunities.”

Asked specifically if GCPL would bring the Megasari brand in India, he said: “I would not like to comment on that.”

In April this year, GCPL had bought Indonesian fast moving consumer goods company Megasari Makmur Group for an undisclosed amount.