Himalya to invest Rs 12 crore in canned soup plant

Consolidating its position in Gujarat, Paonta Sahib (Himachal Perdesh) based, BSE listed Himalya International Limited (a company into business of frozen foods) has lined up an investment of Rs 12 crore for setting up a canned soup plant at Vadnagar in Mehsana district (100 km from Ahmedabad).

This project is a part of a mega project coming up in 100 acre at Vadnagar at an investment of Rs 132 crore propsed by the company.

The new project would come up in technical collaboration with the US based Wayne Farms Limited which is associated with Camobells Soup Company (the largest soup manufacturer in the world).

Talking to Business Standard, chairman of Himalya International Limited Manmohan Malik said that canned soups would expand the basket of products offered by Himalya International Ltd that manufacturers a variety of frozen vegatables, appetisers and dairy products.

He added that world over canned soups commanded 80 per cent market share due to its higher nutritive value over dehyderated soups. “Himalya proposes to launch condensed soups in cans to which equal amount of water or milk can be added providing better value to the customer,” he added .

He told that plant will be imported from USA at the cost of Rs 9 crore. It would have a capacity of 1,100 cans per minutes and engage 100 persons. He added that canned soup would be launched in indian and overseas market by January 2011 under its brands ‘Himalya Fresh’ and ‘Uno Italiano’ and also under private labels. The traditional soups like tomato and mushroom soup would be branded under ‘Himalya Fresh’, the Italian flavours would be marketed under ‘Uno Italiano’ and the company percieves to do contract manufacturing for other player under other private labels.

Malik expects to utilise half of the capacity for the overseas market but believes that over the period the domestic consumption would surpass the exports.

According to Malik 40 tonnes of vegetables per day would be required to feed the plant at full capacity. The mushrooms would have an in-house supply and for other vegetables the company would enter into contract farming with the small farmers in vicinity of Vadnagar in Gujarat.